"You really want me to kill you? Like- you want to die? Now why would that be? Everybody else I killed was so scared."
The knife weilding girl asked, Izuku sighed and began to explain himself.
"I want my pain to just- be put to an end already. I'm just... Tired of living. I have no real reason to keep going now that my dreams of being a hero were crushed. Hell even my own mother doesn't want me alive. All because I was born with something I can't help."
Izuku started to tear up a bit as he talked. Every part of his explanation only reminded him of how bad he had things. The girl still held the knife to the teen's neck, but loosened up the hold a little bit more, like she was shocked or something.
They both stood there in silence, the only sounds being Izuku's own breath and the rain as the storm only got worse over time.
"I... Understand you. I mean- not the wanting it all to end part but... I was also born with something that I can't help. A craving for human blood. I, like you was also shunned away from society! Nobody reached out to help, they all just stared in disgust and waited for me to get the memo. I suppressed myself for most of my life just because I was born different. And one day, I just snapped."
The girl explained, her words seemed a bit more... sincere than before. Before Izuku explained his reasoning for wanting to die, she was hell bent on killing him but now, she just seemed... Understood.
"... Small world huh?"
Izuku half joked about how similar the two were. The girl moved the knife down to his arm and before Izuku could finish blinking, she had slit his wrist using her blade.
Izuku briefly winced and the girl backed up, an ear to ear grin plastered on her face, which went slightly pink for reasons beyond Izuku's understanding.
She looked about his own age, maybe a little bit older. She had blonde hair that was tied up in two sloppy buns on the top of her head, and messily chopped looking bangs which sat just above her golden colored cat like eyes. Her eyes gleamed with a sort of joy... Like a puppy or something. It was cute in a way, but was immediatley made less so when she started licking the knife, which was now covered in some of Izuku's blood.
Despite being shocked by how sudden that cut was, and her actions afterwards, he never truly feared her for a second. He kept more of a slightly pained look as the slit on his wrist stung quite a bit, forcing the teen to cover the wound with his other hand.
"Your expression just goes to show how you are. You really aren't scared... In a matter of fact, you're the first one in my life to not fear me! For once, I feel... accepted."
The girl expressed, as she kept licking the knife until it was cleaned of the teen's blood.
"You're the first person that I could actually relate to somewhat. As much as I am glad to know other people like me exist in this world, it doesn't change the fact that I'm still suffering. I've got nowhere to go... But to my demise. "
Izuku said, turning away from the girl, then approaching the edge of the building once more. He was stopped though as the girl wrapped her arms around his waist. He let out a shocked gasp by the sudden pulling motion.
"Don't do it... I understand where you're coming from, you've got nowhere to go... But neither do I? You're existence means a lot to me... Because you're the first person who has actually understood me. And I'm the same for you right? Maybe we can team up, and help eachother out! We can find somewhere to go as friends!"
The girl proposed. The proposal left Izuku at a crossroads. He was given the opportunity to find somewhere that he'd be accepted, and was going to journey with a girl who knew his pain. That was awsome... But what if things never turned out okay? What if he got caught by the police instead, and was forced to live with his mom once again...? He decided to ask the girl.
"I don't want to go home... I'm sure the cops are on the look out for me... They'll bring me home if I get caught. Can you also assure we'll be able to hide from them?"
Izuku asked anxiously, as the girl gently guided him away from the edge.
"I've been on the run since middle school! I know what I'm doing, and I can teach you! I can keep you and me safe while we find a place to belong!"
She answered happily. She seemed sincere though. If she had been on the run since middle school, then she hasn't been caught for quite some time. So she knew how to get food and other resources, and she knew how to cover her tracks and hide from the police. Izuku sighed, and decided to put his trust in the girl for now at least.
"Alright, alright, I'm game!"
Izuku said with a brief laugh as the girl had convinced him. For the first time in what seemed to be awhile, he was genuinely happy.
The girl pumped a fist in the air and cheered.
"Yippee!! I'm glad to have you on the team er- What's your name by the way?"
The girl asked, seeming a bit embarrassed that she didn't ask that from the beginning, then again she initially planned to kill the teen before befriending him, so was she really to blame?
"Izuku.. Izuku Midoriya, though a lot of people tend to just call me Deku because I'm quirkless, and have no use."
Izuku replied, despite how sad his tone seemed as he mentioned the origin behind his nickname, he still tried maintaining a mostly happy aura.
"Deku... I really like that name actually! It sounds adorable, not to mention it rolls off the tongue really well! Deku... Deku... Deku..."
She replied with a smile on her face. Izuku couldn't help but feel a bit better after she complimented his nickname. Sure, it still technically meant useless idiot, but the way the girl said it came off as way more endearing.
"Well I guess you can call me Deku then! Er- what's your name though?"
Izuku felt the need to ask.
"Himiko Toga! Nice to meet you!"
The girl, named Himiko introduced herself happily. Izuku simply nodded in response.
"Alright Toga, so where should we go exactly? I gotta patch up this wound, and not to mention I didn't get dinner, so I'm starving."
Izuku asked the girl, figuring that she was more competent at this kind of stuff, and knew what to do.
"Hmm... Well I'm not exactly experienced in... patching up wounds since I kill people for fun... So we'll have to be creative with how we fix that wound. Um... hold on I have an idea!"
Himiko announced happily as she undid the tie on the school uniform she had underneathe her sweater. She then grabbed her knife and proceeded to cut part of Izuku's school uniform without consent, before starting to create a makeshift bandage of sorts.
She placed the black cloth from Izuku's uniform atop the wound, and to keep said cloth on there, she used her tie to- well- tie it on there, wrapping it tightly around Izuku's wrist.
"There! All better! Now for food... Follow me! I'll show you how I get stuff to eat."
Himiko then said, before heading through the exit of the rooftop which lead down to the main door that most would enter through.
The building that they were standing on happened to be a motel resort, and despite getting a few skeptikal looks from the people inside, nobody really acted out or did anything.
The two left the motel from the proper entrance and exit area, before walking down the soaked streets of the city.
Izuku didn't ask any questions, or say anything really, he just followed the girl as she skipped ahead, humming some random song.
About five minutes later or so... They arrived at a gas station.
"Are we going to get food here? You have money to buy stuff?"
Izuku finally spoke up, asking the girl. She simply grinned and said:
"Nope! No money at all!"
Before dragging Izuku along with her, inside the convinence store.
"Well then how will we get food exactly?"
Izuku asked. Himiko didn't respond right away, but instead dragged him into the candy and chips asile.
"Allow me to show you the art of... Theft."
Himiko whispered with a devious look on her face as she headed over and simply grabbed a bunch of candy bars from the rack, shoving the sweets into the pockets of her sweater.
"Wh- You can't- Oh, right..."
Izuku was about to object, saying how she can't steal stuff because that's illegal. Though he stopped himself after realizing how much of a hypocrite he would be, since he has never once brought up the fact that she has murdered people. Plus, how else would they get food.
"Just grab what you want Deku! As long as it can fit in your pocket, it'll be fine..."
Himiko assured Izuku with a smile on her face. Izuku was hesitant... Like really hesitant. Never in his life did he imagine he would be partaking in criminal activity... Though, how else was he supposed to live at this point?
He grabbed a few chocolate bars and shoved them inside of his pocket.
"I suppose we can just get drinks from the rain?"
Izuku asked Himiko who nodded.
"Yup! Now let's dip, I doubt the cashier will think we were doing anything beyond browsing if we don't stay too long."
Himiko then said, before grabbing Izuku's hand, pulling him along, leading him outside.
The cashier didn't even have a chance to say anything before the two had exited the store.
"Alright, let's go feast for the night!"
Himiko said cheerfully.
"And where exactly would we be staying? Preferably somewhere to protect us from the rain..."
Izuku questioned Himiko who thought for a moment.
"Well, to avoid the cops figuring out my movement patterns, I've got to take refuge in different areas all around the city, I have to move everyday essentially so I know the city well. I think a good place to sleep would be a train station or bus stop, or maybe an underpass?"
Himiko suggested multiple different options to pick from. Izuku thought about it for a few seconds. While he did consider eliminating the underpass idea since that was where he had a run in with the sludge villain, but it was also more inconspicuous and there were no laws against loitering in those areas.
"An underpass will do I suppose. Lead the way."
Izuku spoke, a smile on his face. Himiko nodded and began to skip ahead, leading Izuku to this underpass area.
Meanwhile, Inko Midoriya was sitting with the police as she had called them not too long after Izuku had left. She explained everything to them, and they quietly listened.
"He said he wanted to take his own life correct? If so, then this has turned into a dilemma of sorts. One way, he could've already taken his own life, and another way he could have just... Ran away... Teens tend to say stuff like they are going to commit suicide, when under a lot of stress... Though it is quite rare that they actually follow through. I'm personally on the latter side, I believe he just ran away... And if that is the case, then I'm sure he'll come back in a matter of no time. He'll eventually get hungry or dehydrated, or just miss the warm comfort of his bed, and come back. We'll give him twenty four hours to come back before we initiate a search for him."
The police officer reasoned sternly.
"Though if we do ever find him out and about, even before the search starts, we'll contact you pronto."
The police officer than assured Inko, before turning towards the door.
"Okay..."
Inko said, a sad tone present as she spoke. Though, she tried putting all of her faith and belief in the police.
Izuku and Himiko settled in the underpass, sitting down and making a small fire with a bunch of dry sticks that were available. They both put the top parts of their uniforms near the fire so that they can dry a bit.
"So... What's our next move for tomarrow? Like what do we do next exactly?"
Izuku asked Himiko as the both of them began unwrapping their candy bars.
"We'll move locations of course! I don't have an exact plan as to where we'll go next but I never do and look where I am now! Still haven't gotten caught by the police! Though... regarding other stuff?... I don't quite know... I suppose I can teach you a few of my skills!"
Himiko cheerfully suggested as she took a bite out of her candy bar. Izuku nodded with enthusiasm.
"Of course! Um- though I prefer to take notes, is it possible that we could get a notebook so I can write things down?"
Izuku asked, feeling that same excitement he got out of writing down notes about heroes.
"Sure thing!"
Himiko replied after finishing the bite she had in her mouth.
After talking and simply enjoying one another's company for a little while, they both went to bed, using the tops of their uniforms as blankets to help with keeping them warm over the rest of the night.
Twenty four hours later and there was nothing. Inko didn't get a wink of sleep last night. Who could, after hearing their son could be dead?
To try and distract herself from those thoughts, she tried watching K- dramas on her TV. That didn't pan out as well as she hoped as her mind was constantly tracing back to her son...
She eventually heard a knock at the door and anxiously headed over, opening it. She was met with the sight of a tall man in a tan trench coat, with a black hat on top. He had short black hair and a kind expression on his face.
"Hello Mrs. Midoriya, I'm detective Tsukauchi, I'll be working on the search for your son. Is it okay if I come inside?"
He asked and Inko moved out of the way as to welcome him into her home.
"I'll go make some tea for us, you go sit down while I do that okay?"
She insisted. Tsukauchi simply nodded and sat down on a chair which sat parallel to the couch Inko was sitting on prior, there was also a coffee table in between the pieces of furniture.
She eventually came back with the tea pot. She placed it on the coffee table and poured the two of them a cup.
"Thank you... Shall we start discussing stuff? I want to know as much as possible about your son as possible so that we can figure out his true motives, and see why he really left."
Inko simply nodded in agreement.
"Alright, let's start simple, what does Izuku do for fun?"
He asked her.
"He likes to study heroes, and writes tons of notes about them. He's especially enamoured with All Might. Well... Was. Before he left, he mentioned how he grew out of his All Might phase and wanted to sell all of his stuff, though I don't see any reasons as to why he would suddenly think like this..."
Inko mentioned, Tsukauchi pulled out a notebook and started writing in it, scribbling down a ton of notes in a similar fashion to Izuku.
Once he was finished, he spoke up once again.
"Well if you didn't notice any changes in his behaviour, then it could be stigmatized from his school life... After all kids these days spend more time in school than they do with their parents, so that would make sense... Though I suppose it is a bit odd that Izuku would act so... drastically and so suddenly. Whatever it is must've been really bad, or just went on longer and unbeknownst to anyone."
Tsukauchi stated his theory. Inko nodded in response, understanding where the detective was coming from.
"Does Izuku have any friends that I can talk to personally?"
Tsukauchi then asked Inko, who once more nodded.
"Yes, my friend Mitsuki, her kid Katsuki I think was his name... He and Izuku used to be inseparable... Though over time they grew distant and stopped hanging out at least to my knowledge. I can give you contact information if you want."
Inko then offered. Tsukauchi nodded and handed Inko his notebook to put the info. She wrote it down and gave it to him, no words being exchanged whatsoever.
"Alright... This will be a large help. Thank you. Now... Is it possible that I could search your son's room? Usually when going through a lot of stress, teens prefer to keep it hidden and away from other people but themselves, so they hide clues in their own rooms at times."
Tsukauchi then asked, standing up from his seat. Inko nodded and stood up too, leading the detective to the teen's room.
They entered and Tsukauchi's jaw dropped to the floor as he saw the sheer amount of All Might themed merchandise. There was stuff that people would literally kill for! It was obvious that with the amount of All Might stuff that there was in the boy's room, the hero had to have affected him one way or another and acted as a role model.
He ventured further into the room and noticed a plate of rice and pork. He saw that the pork cutlets were arranged in a way to resemble All Might somewhat. Though, it wasn't even touched... It was just left there on his desk to rot.
This left the detective concerned, usually not eating was a really bad sign of depression, not to mention, he went out on his own, with no true source of food...
To Tsukauchi, it seemed damn near impossible for Izuku to be alive, or at the very least he was out starving and dehydrated.
He then started rifling through his stuff, looking under his bed, inside cabinets and inside his desk. He didn't find much aside from a burnt notebook, that also seemed a bit water damaged.
He looked through the book and saw the material inside. Inko was telling the truth, about Izuku really liking heroes and writing about them. The notes were really really in deph... There was strengths and weaknesses for all of their quirks, and ways to improve and counter them! It shocked and honestly amazed Tsukauchi, and made him a bit envious of his note taking skills.
Though he decided not to get to caught up in his facination with the contents inside the book, nor the effort and sheer genius it took to be so in deph. Though there was one question he had about the notebook.
Why was it burnt, and why was it water damaged? He chalked up the water damage to Izuku being simply clumsy though. He was more intrigued as to why it looked like someone lit it on fire.
Could it have been Izuku himself? That would be a possible prior red flag, as it would show a disdain towards heroes or just a lack of interest. Or maybe... Someone else burnt it. Maybe the water damage was also caused by an outside force.
It did make sense that Izuku could have been bullied into having such a change in mindset. It is pretty common for teens to change themselves after all, especially when a big crowd is pressuring them to do so.
It made Tsukauchi worried on that half too... What kind of torture was Izuku being put through to have such a drastic shift. And worse yet, nobody knew Izuku was going through this... It was probably a lot of verbal abuse and mind games then... If they were beating Izuku up every day, then someone would've noticed and took action surley.
It was smart in a way, but very cruel as well. Tsukauchi felt a bit of anger bubble within him as he thought about the possibilities, but to avoid concerning Inko, he kept it down.
He placed the notebook back on Izuku's desk and looked over at Inko.
"Alright, I think that's all for today. I think I have the information that I need."
Tsukauchi kindly informed Inko with a smile on his face.
"Okay if you say so. Please let me know if you and your team find anything else of significance."
Inko said as she stepped away from the door frame so that Tsukauchi could pass.
The detective passed, said his goodbyes, gave Inko his number and then headed out the door.
Inko waved goodbye and smiled a bit. She tried to be a bit optimistic about the situation. Of course, she was worried for her son, but with the assurance of the detective, she felt like she'd have him back in no time.
Author's note: Hey! hope you enjoyed this new chapter. I know this one was released literally a day after the release of the previous chapter. But like I mentioned in chapter one, I am not promising a lot of consistency with the uploads. This chapter just happened to be an easier one to write I suppose.
Let's just hope that the whole story is this smooth sailing lmao.
Now onto my own opinions of the chapter. I think I did good, I liked it enough and I think the starting convo between Deku and Toga was really heartwarming. I just love characters that are similar interacting with eachother, and hitting it off. Though there is a bit of a gripe with how I did do this chapter.
That is being my depiction of Toga. I just think she feels too nice and mellow, and I do hope to change that later on when she starts interacting with other characters. Though I think this could be a neat way to explore a softer side of this crazy vampire girl, don't you think? In the canon, the only person she related to kinda was Stain because they had similar quirks and lived as they liked, but Izuku knows the pain of being discriminated against all because he was born without a quirk. I just think it's a neat dynamic but tell me what you all think!
Also, Tsukauchi is playing a lot more of a relevant role in the story! With that being said, I'll probably be making him a bit out of character, since he doesn't have a ton of scenes that establish his personality. I'll probably just make up headcanons for him as I go to make him seem more believable. I do have a basic idea as to the role he's gonna play, as if it wasn't already obvious, but I also like the idea of Tsulauchi becoming like- emotionally affected by this case, maybe it has something to do with his backstory?? I dunno, like usual nothing is for certain.
Though, I think that is all I've got to say for right now. So for the time being, this is the writing hero, signing out.