(Last chapter)
Izuku looks around and smiles at the way this room is set up to be like that of an apartment. It even has a stove, a fridge and even a microwave. Izuku looks around in Awe and sees that the room has Two beds near a wall kind of like a college dorm but a bathroom is attached to the room down a ways away from the main dining and living area.
"Oh are you my new roommate? It's wonderful to meet you." A voice says catching Izuku off guard as he was looking at the bedding arrangements not hearing the bathroom door open up. As Izuku turns to see who it was he's rooming with his brain stops. Infront of him is possibly one of the most gorgeous women he's ever seen. The woman is about 5'5" with back length Straight white hair and pale silver eyes. The woman is just a few years younger than his own mother and she has the air of a caring and loving mother. The woman smiles at Izuku as he nods his head to answer her fearing his mouth wont say the correct thing.
(Dormitories A-Block)
"Oh wonderful! My name is Rei, Rei Todoroki. What's your name?" The woman asks Izuku as she reaches her hand out to him.
"M-My name is Izuku Midoriya. It's wonderful to meet you." Izuku manages to get out as he stops staring at the woman Infront of him and begins to look around the room.
"Oh, You're... You're that kid." Rei says as she looks him up and down. As Izuku slightly flinches at the way she spoke.
"W-What do you mean?" Izuku asks hoping this woman wasn't like the others.
"Well, To tell you the truth a lot of the others here in A-Block like myself saw the news about the slime incident that happened so long ago. You tried killing yourself after saving that jerk with the explosion quirk. When the news investigated and they all reported you as Quirkless so many here in A-Block started to see you in a different light. It wasn't a good one either" Rei says as she walks over to the couch and sits down.
"The news investigated me?" Izuku asks a bit curious but still on guard hoping this woman doesn't start what most of the teachers at his old school started to do.
"Yes, They wanted to know what would make a hero want to kill themselves. They found out you were quirkless, The only one in your entire school and that everyone picked on you even the teachers and staff. The only one who didn't was a strange brunette girl but she said she always kept her distance because of others. They also found that anytime you defended yourself be it physically or verbally you would get in trouble and be punished. Your permanent school records have been called into question and they even went on to show that your intelligence is in the top 5 percentile in all of Japan while the school falsified your grades, tests and homework to make those with flashy quirks shine brighter than you when they are ... well, i don't mean to speak ill of others parenting but the parents obviously don't care about how stupid their kids are if they didn't bother correcting them on simple behavior." Rei says as she pulls out a remote and turns on the tv before patting the seat next to her on the couch.
"Sit right here. I have the reports and broadcasts of the investigation recorded because i felt like reminding myself that despite how good people are... people can also just be the worst kind of being." Rei says as Izuku slowly walks over and sits next to Rei who smiles at him before patting his head and relaxing on the couch.
"Did they say anything was going to happen or did they just sweep it under the rug?" Izuku asks as Rei just shrugs her shoulders.
"I don't know, one news outlet showed that All Might herself was quite literally outraged at the way you were treated and demanded a full investigation be done and that all the staff involved with this should be put in jail but the courts told her no and the school is still open on the "Promise" to do things differently when you show up. All Might however is still pushing for new staff and the news station that was reporting on that event is now constantly taken off the air because they're spreading "propaganda" for the quirkless who have life easy enough according to all other sources. It's so stupid honestly." Rei Todoroki says as she looks down to Izuku.
"Honestly after hearing your story you gave me strength to get better. I thought to myself. "That poor child has spent almost all 12 years of his life suffering the same kind of mental and physical abuse I have and he still never gave up. If he can finally snap, my actions while justified weren't right. I can get better and hopefully thank that child for showing me that even at our weakest, we can overcome our obstacles." Rei says as Izuku just blushes deeply as he looks down at the floor.
"Y-You suffered he same kind of treatment I did? Are you quirkless too?" Izuku asks thinking he may have just found someone who understands his pain.
"No, I have a quirk... A very powerful quirk if I'm being honest. One strong enough to stop even endeavor if I'm serious enough. Sad fact is I'm married to that jackass Enji Todoroki and he mentally and physically abused me and our child to the point our child accidentally killed himself during a father son outing and I attacked my youngest child because his hair reminded me of Enji and only after I forever scarred my sons face did i snap back to reality and see the damage i did. I can imagine that your treatment was just as horrible as my own. So seeing how the investigations brought to light the things you overcame it gave me strength to overcome my own so called bully." Rei says as she rubs Izuku's back gently.
"I really didn't do anything but take the abuse and smile like an idiot believing in an impossible dream." Izuku says as he shakes his head in shame. Rei's hand soothing his heart rate as it rubs his back.
"You did more than you know. You always defended those who needed it even if they didn't thank you. They even showed one video of how that little gang of hoodlums were attacking that brunette girl with hair that covered her eyes because she didn't want to go out with one of them and you came in like a wrecking ball and stopped them from hurting her. She thanked you by running to get a teacher as you were attacked but only you were punished. They interviewed her you know. She was so upset and worried that you hated her she stayed away from you thinking of ways to pay you back for the kindness you did her." Rei says as the news comes on and shows how Endeavor was able to stop yet another gang of criminals by himself as Rei just growls a little.
"That man is no hero." Rei says as she turns the channel to an American channel that is currently playing classic comedy cartoons. The one on screen is called Aqua Teen Hunger Force.
Izuku looking at this woman sees the hate she has for endeavor and just looks at the tv before it's channel is changed. He sighs as he sees a building burning down in the background of what seems to have been an apartment complex. This is going to be weird getting used to. Especially since his roommate is like this. People come in all kinds he supposes and he just sighs before getting up and walking over to what he presumes is his bed and lies does in it. He hears the TV get turned down as Rei continues watching. Soon Izuku drifts off to sleep.
(3 months later)
"Hey, Are you corrupted? Wake up. You've been sleeping for years. I don't know how many. I figured it's right to give you a choice. I waked you so you can decide what to do. " The man speaking to Izuku says as Izuku looks around at the area. Overgrown with grass and vines. Underbrush and dead trees. The collapsed, dilapidated and empty buildings overgrown with lush vegetation and choking vines.
"Huh? What?" Izuku begins only to be cut off.
"No one has been by to help in all this time." The man speaks as he stares directly at Izuku.
"What are you talking about? Someone's bound to come by this place at some point and he-
"The nexus point is gone. This world is adrift. No one is coming. No one is coming back ever again. The... Endless times have begun." The man states as he looks towards the distance meeting the horizon.
"What? Why wou-" Izuku begins only getting interrupted by the man once more.
"You decide what to do. The normal rules don't apply anymore. No one can die. Keep sleeping until... well forever... or you can Wander. A lot of us wander. Farewell." The man speaking leaves Izuku with his confused thoughts as Izuku looks around at what he feels should be a rather well kept area. A large building that used to be a store crumbling into a ruin with overgrown Lichen on it's tiles. The grass at waist length when it shouldn't even be there. The stone skyscraper and other building directly behind and around him showing they had all caved in or collapsed entirely and that brings Izuku's heart to shudder. Sitting down on some stairs he stares blankly into the endless horizon of what used to be his home as the time ticks by and a ominous red glow envelops the area like a sunset casting eerie shadows and dancing of small torch lights as night soon overtakes him while he looks up to the sky.
Izuku's eyes shoot open as he panics a little bit looking around as sweat pours from his forehead. The action and sounds rousing Rei from her sleep as she slowly turns on a light while her eyes are still closed.
"Izu-kun, is everything alright?" Rei asks as she looks at her roommate.
"R-Rei, Is that you? Oh god that was horrible." Izuku comments as he grabs hold of his own face.
"What's wrong Izu-kun? Have a bad dream?" Rei asks as she sits down on the edge of Izuku's bed and places a hand on his cheek. Izuku lets go of his face and sighs some looking at her.
"Yes, It was horrifying. I just woke up standing in a field that used to be a road. Buildings and everything just destroyed. Not violently or anything. No, it's as though time had passed and dealt heavy blows to the world. No humans or life anywhere. Just a strange man. A strange man dressed in what looked like Midevil armor bearing the symbol of the sun shining brightly. He told me i had been sleeping for years and that he woke me up to make a choice." Izuku says as he moves his legs and gets his feet onto the ground and sighs.
"What choice did he give you sweety?" Rei asks as though Izuku was her own son making Izuku sigh a little bit more as he rubs his eyes.
"He told me "The nexus point is gone. This world is adrift. No one is coming. No one is coming back ever again. The endless times have begun. You decide what to do. The normal rules don't apply anymore. No one can die. You can keep sleeping... well forever... or you can wander. A lot of us Wander." And all I could do was sit down on a flight of stairs and contemplate what i was just told. It was harrowing." Izuku says as he repeats those words in his head. His body shudders as Rei gives him a gentle hug.
"Oh don't worry Izu-kun. I'm here to help you just like you helped me." Rei says as she rubs Izuku's back and holds him like she would her son Shoto.
"Thank you Rei, It really does mean a lot to me. I know my mother appreciates it too. She's wanting to come and visit you by the way." Izuku says as his dream lay in the back of his mind as to it's meaning. The man said it was the Endless times. Not the End times. Meaning life still goes on. That he and a lot of others just wander. What kind of existential hell could possibly exist to torture it's denizens in such a way. He shudders and looks at the time and sighs seeing how early it is. He goes and gets into the shower to get dressed. As Izuku stares at himself in the mirror to get ready he smiles some at the progress he's made especially with how his exercises are making him fill out rather nicely. He sighs and gets dressed before heading out of the bathroom and beginning to cook some breakfast for himself and his roommate who is currently getting out her painting supplies.
"I'm gonna make breakfast, You want anything in particular Rei?" Izuku asks as the woman just smiles some and shakes her head.
"No I'm fine Izu-kun. I'm just gonna start painting early. Not like I'll be able to sleep after what you told me anyway. That was one spooky dream." Rei begins as she starts to paint a rather lovely landscape scene of a garden and some trees leaving room for other things. As she was doing this she made sure she had turned on released videos of a show that was kept online digitally but re-released for syndication as public domain which was a painting show from a man named Bob Ross. Rei always found his paintings to be rather nice looking and started to paint along with the show and she started from season 1 onward. She smiles as she looks at Izuku as he begins his morning routine of making and eating breakfast before his workout starting with his usual squats, sit ups and push ups. Rei just chuckles as he builds up a good sweat.
Rei's hands are on Auto pilot as she watches Izuku work out while she's painting. As Izuku leaves telling her he'll be back by around 3pm Rei looks back to her painting when the front door of the room finally closes and the sight brings rei to blush. The painting she had been doing for the last half hour while her hands were on auto pilot had painted the image of an armored knight holding a shield above his head and defending a woman dressed in a lavish and gorgeous looking white and gold dress as onlookers throw things at them. The scenery in the background showing it's a lush garden surrounded by walls and some cobblestone buildings. The woman suspiciously looks like Rei while the Knight holding a shield is wearing a helmet but the shrouded eyes show a glint of bright emerald green. The same color as Izuku's. Rei just looks around hoping that somehow it's all in her head. Sighing, Rei leaves the painting where it is to dry while she hopes no-one will connect the dots about who's in the painting as she has.
Izuku is currently lying on his back breathing hard as Chizome is standing above him. Chizome smirking a little bit as he holds a hand out to him.
"You're doing good kid. You lasted longer that time. Come on, Our spar time is up and you have to head to the visitors center to meet with your mother and Yana. I also have my sessions with the psychiatrist today." Chizome says as he helps Izuku up off the ground.
"Thanks for helping me out Chizome. This workout stuff and training really does help me keep the voices at bay. I hope you have a good session today." Izuku says as he heads off towards the visitors center and is lead into a room while wearing his usual straight jacket. Izuku sees that instead of his mother a girl with brown hair in the shape of a mushroom which has some of it covering her eyes. Izuku is a bit confused but sits down.
"Hello, Uh are you here to see someone else cause i think you're in the wrong room." Izuku says as he smiles some. The girl in front of him just pokes her fingers together.
"Well no I'm in the right room. You're Izuku Midoriya. I wanted to visit you since they're finally allowing you normal visitors that aren't related to your case. I've wanted to talk to you for so long." The girl says as she smiles some and tilts her head with a slight giggle.
"Oh well, it's nice to meet you. I don't think I've seen you much before and my head, well.. Let's just say it's seen better days. Can you jog my memory of how you know me?" Izuku asks hoping this isn't some fangirl.
"I'm Kinoko Komori, We go to Aldera Middle School together. You came and defended me when those bullies Fingers, Wings and Bakugo were trying to get me to date Wings when I didn't like him. I went to tell the teacher and you got in trouble. I kept my distance after that thinking you hated me." Kinoko says as she looks at the table in shame.
"Oh no, i remember that day. Bakugo had just used his explosion quirk on you to knock you down and tell you that Wings likes you and you should go out with him. I saved you cause it was the right thing to do. You shouldn't be forced to do something just because someone says they like you. I was happy to help. As for the teacher... well you did what you thought was right and got a teacher to try and stop the fight from happening. It just so happens it was one of the teachers who hates me for being quirkless. It wasn't your fault so i never blamed you. You staying away from me i just thought you did it cause i was quirkless." Izuku says as he smiles at the girl happy to actually close that chunk of his life.
"Oh god no! I honestly never cared about that. I always saw how others treated you. I was disgusted by it. I wanted so badly to just say "hi my name is Kinoko Komori Can we be friends?" But i was always too afraid of what others would do to me if i tried that. People like Bakugo constantly harassing me to leave you alone and stop trying to make you happy. I was so scared that i kept my distance. Honestly it's kind of funny. The very day i had gotten the courage to just say "Well fuck you guys" and introduce myself to you i got so sick i had to stay bed ridden. I thought "he'll be fine. One more day wont make a difference." I was so shocked and horrified about what i learned the next day when the morning news broadcast it. I felt my heart shatter because i could have prevented it and felt you could wait just one more day. I'm so sorry i didn't just go to school anyway to be your friend." Kinoko says as she scratches her arm. Izuku just looks at her and blushes some before looking away. A girl wanted to be his friend for awhile but was too afraid to approach him? Yeah that would make sense with how much he's abused. He sighs and looks over to Kinoko.
"Well, Then lets start our friendship out right. Hello Komori-san, My name is Izuku, Izuku Midoriya. It's a pleasure to meet you. I hope we can be good friends." Izuku says as the girl blushes some and just fidgets a little bit.
"S-So you don't care that i waited so long?" Kinoko asks surprised by how easily he just accepted her friendship.
"Not really no. I'm just happy knowing someone at that hellhole actually wanted to be my friend. I'm sorry you got sick on the day you got the courage to do it. I'm even more sorry about what i did that day. More than you can know. I've come a long way in the past 6 months but it's only because I've had support from my mother and a few friends I've made in here that I've gotten to this point. Having you as a friend will only help my recovery so of course I'd welcome you with open arms... uh, metaphorically speaking. As you can tell i can't really use my arms right now." Izuku jokes as he flaps his arms about in his straight jacket laughing some bringing Kinoko to smile and look at him a bit confused.
"So, why are you wearing that? I thought that when a patient is at the stage to get visitors they are allowed out of the straight jackets." Kinoko asks as Izuku smiles some and just looks at the table in front of him.
"Honestly i could have them take it off. I just don't want to. When i was brought in it was for my own protection that i wore this thing. As time went on however it became more of a safety blanket for me. I use it to make myself feel more comfortable and to ground me to reality. It feels like I'm not only safe but it also helps me feel like I'm being held tenderly. I don't wear this straight jacket because i have to. I'm wearing it because i genuinely like to wear it. Is that weird?" Izuku asks hoping it doesn't freak his new friend out.
"Huh? Of course it's not weird. I mean it's unusual sure but you have a very valid reason to wear it. I honestly find it kind of cute. If it makes you feel better than I'm happy it makes you feel that way. Hey, Perhaps when you finally get out of here, they'll let you keep a few of them as a gift so you can always have that feeling." Kinoko says happily as Izuku just smiles some.
Izuku and Kinoko spend the next 2 hours talking to each other and Izuku gets a lot of information on what's been happening at Aldera middle school happy to know how much All Might was trying to do for him and others being discriminated against in that place. Kinoko even was able to talk to All Might and she got her to sign something which she then hands over to Izuku. It's a picture of Kinoko and Izuku from the school's PE field when they were paired together for the Fitness Test. The words "I'm sorry for being so wrong" written beneath it with All Mights Signature just below that.
"I had her write that sentence because i really am sorry i was so wrong. I was so wrong not just saying to hell with the others and trying to be your friend anyway. All Might said that those words also were what she wished to say to you personally but she didn't elaborate on why she needed to say it." Kinoko says as Izuku just begins to tear up and slightly cry. He just sobs softly as He assures Kinoko they're happy tears and that he is just so happy to have such a good new friend. Kinoko is eventually escorted out of the room when her time is up and she smiles telling Izuku she'll be back next week.
Izuku smiles some as he sees his mother walking in with Yana behind her. Running up to them Izuku smiles and just leans into his mother who gives him a big hug. Looking towards Yana Izuku just smiles some and leans into her as well getting Yana to smile and hug him as well.
"How's my special boy doing today?" Inko asks as He just smiles a little bit.
"I had a new visitor today. It was someone who has wanted to be my friend for awhile but stayed away because of others. We talked a lot about what's happening at Aldera Middle School but it doesn't seem that much is changing because of the laws and how they're so stacked against me and people like me. She told me that... Rather than just being known as quirkless the school says i was "Diagnosed" as quirkless... Diagnosed as if being Quirkless is some kind of Disease that needs to be purged and cured. That really hurt me. It hurt me a lot. I'm not a disease am i?" Izuku asks as his mother gasps and Yana just sighs shaking her head before hugging Izuku and answering.
"No Young Midoriya, You are not a disease. You are a very bright and wonderful little boy. You know After meeting you, what used to be a small flame for justice that used to be All Mights reason to fight turned into a raging inferno that hasn't stopped burning any wrong doer for what they have been doing. She's actually quadrupled her villain stopping count and spent literally every other moment trying to overturn the governments decisions about the quirkless. You've done more for her in the one day you met her than most others have in the entire time they've known her." Yana says as Izuku looks at her with a few tears in his eyes.
"I wish i could see her again and tell her I'm sorry for what i said to her. You probably know what i screamed at her in that building after the incident." Izuku says as he looks down while Inko just rubs her sons back as she holds him.
"Don't worry about that Young Midoriya. I make sure to give her updates on you when ever i visit you. She knows exactly how you feel. Especially the regret of what you told her that day about not wanting to be saved. That really hit her deep but it was exactly what she needed to let go of what ever was keeping her held back. You did more good by saying it than just keeping it in. So while a horrible event on every level... it is kinda the best possible thing that you tried to kill yourself." Yana says as Izuku is a little shocked but thinks on it. If he hadn't tried to do it than possibly he could have or just would have tried it later where nothing could have stopped him and he'd have succeeded in it. It would have hurt Aunty Mitsuki, His mother, Bakugo and even Masaru. Kinoko would have been hurt too especially since her reaction when it initially happened was to cry for 3 days straight according to her because of heartbreak. He's the entire reason she's going to try for U.A. and its hero course. Izuku thinks on Ibara, Chizome, the American he met, Rei and everyone trying to help him get better mentally as well as physically. He looks up at Yana and smiles some as he nods to her.
"You know, I think you're right Toshinori-san. Me trying to kill myself in that way publicly actually turned out better for everyone in the long run. It's horrible to think that me wanting to die so badly lead to me getting better, meeting and making new friends and even getting psychiatric help to make me a better me. But it's true, I'm even more open with Kaa-san about everything especially since she explained why she did what she did when i was revealed to be quirkless. You know i could never blame you for my genetics Kaa-san. I love you too much to ever do that. My actions caused All Might to look into the laws and be appalled at what they were doing and is doing her best to rectify it by getting those laws removed so others like me could finally get jobs and prove that they too can be strong and be something other than what everyone says they are. Quirkless doesn't mean useless!" Izuku says as he smiles getting his hair ruffled by Yana who is smiling at him.
"Very true Young Midoriya, So tell me how are your sessions with the Psychiatrist going? Me and your mother are very Curious." Yana asks as Izuku smiles and begins explaining that his sessions have been more focused on his own self image now that his mind is more stable. Izuku goes on to explain that his psychiatrist is asking him to make friends, people he can be himself with which he has been doing. Chizome, Ibara and Kinoko are all his friends and even Rei but he feels that relationship is more akin to a mother and her child with how she treats him but that's a given seeing as how Rei is actually a mother just like Inko. Inko smiles at this and just pinches her sons cheek telling him to not rock the cradle with a cougar while Izuku blushes deeply and stutters out how Rei would never like him like that much to his mothers and Yana's Amusement.
A few hours tick by and Yana receives a call at the time she planned and smiles some before answering the phone and sighing a little bit. She looks towards Inko and nods her head getting Inko to just kiss her son on the cheek before standing up and telling him that she'll be back as soon as she can while Yana stays behind for a moment and looks Izuku in the eyes.
"Young Midoriya, please stay behind for a moment. You have a very special visitor. One who's been wanting to speak to you since day one. I hope you enjoy it." Yana says as she leaves the room and her and Inko seem to disappear into the darkness of the hallway. After only a few minutes the door opens and in walks someone Izuku wasn't expecting. Katsuki is just looking at Izuku in the jacket and shakes his head before sitting down in front of Izuku.
"H-Hey, Look i know I'm not who you expected to see." Bakugo begins before Izuku begins to slightly panic as he begins to strain against his straight jacket.
"N-No I'm getting better, you're not allowed here. Please just l-leave me a-alone. I'm not useless." Izuku says as Bakugo just opens his eyes wide and runs over grabbing Izuku and hugging him.
"I'm not here to hurt you Icchan! Please just listen to me." Bakugo says causing Izuku to go ramrod straight. Katsuki hasn't called him that since they were 3. Izuku begins to calm his breathing as he looks at Bakugo and nods slightly. Izuku sees Bakugo let him go and walk over to his seat again.
"I-Icchan, I'm here to say that I'm sorry. Honestly you know how i am. I've NEVER been good at expressing my emotions. I only ever called you De... That name because it actually got you to react and do something about our dream of being heros. I honestly saw all that I was doing to you as training. Training you to stand up tall and fight at my level! You're too important to me to just die to some thug with a knife so... I started using my quirk against you to toughen you up." Katsuki says as Izuku looks at him and nods some.
"That makes some sense. It has been our dream since we were 3... But why did you think i wasn't doing anything about our dream?" Izuku asks as Katsuki sighs.
"You never trained, worked out or did ANYHTING that would indicate that you were getting in the right shape to fight against villains Icchan." Katsuki says as he just clenches his fists.
"And it pissed me off thinking that my best friend wasn't doing what he needed to so he could get into U.A. with me so i started to try and poke at you to get a response. Nothing seemed to work and you only ignored it. Until i started calling you ... That name." Katsuki says as he looks off to the side.
"When i called you that name you actually got mad and stood up to me saying you weren't a deku. It got you to do things. So i just kept doing it. The fights we've been in you constantly dodge and avoid me but don't actually throw a punch. You try and talk me down and it always worked. You only talked and dodged you never fought me. It also pissed me off so i tried harder and did it more often. It was you training me to not listen to villains and me training you to fight." Katsuki says as he looks down at his hands.
"My quirk is only meant for destruction and fighting you know that. You talking me down was you always winning our training and i thought for the longest time you were just coasting by on that." Katsuki says as he just shakes his head knowing differently now.
"Katsuki, I only talked you down because it was the right thing to do. I didn't know you were trying to train me to fight. If I did i would have actually started fighting back instead of just taking it. As for me not taking it seriously you know i have a morning routine every day that i follow to the letter. 100 squats, 100 sit ups, 100 push ups and 100 pull ups with a 10 kilometer run every day before school. You've seen me doing it multiple times. How is that not taking the training seriously?" Izuku asks as Katsuki sighs.
"I only ever saw you running to school like you were going to be late. I found that exercise book with your plan but i never knew you were sticking to it and doing it so early in the morning. If i did i wouldn't have worried about you that much." Katsuki says as Izuku just looks at him and sighs knowing that this is really messed up since both of them had different ideals and ideas about what needed to be done. Izuku sighs and looks at Katsuki before deciding to ask the biggest question he had.
"Why did you tell me to kill myself?" Izuku stares at Katsuki as his eyes widen and his breathing becomes haggard before tears fill up his eyes.
"I was still thinking we were training. I was playing the villain that time like most times in our training to get you to be better. I blew up something precious to you and demeaned you like any villain would and i thought to myself, "What's the WORST thing i could ever possibly say to ANYONE now matter who it is? And that was the first thing that came to mind. I never meant for you to actually do it." Katsuki says as he looks down at the table.
"What about when you told All Might you'd rather kill me yourself than let anything else kill me?" Izuku asks as Katsuki scoffs.
"That was our pact remember? When i was 4 we decided that if it came down to the wire and only one of us would live through a fight... You'd kill me so that no villain could do it and lead you down a dark path for revenge while I'd do the same to you so i don't go down a dark path. Any other way wouldn't be worthy of you honestly Icchan." Katsuki says as he wipes the tears away from his eyes.
"So all this time you've been doing those things to try and ... train me up or at least dissuade me from going into the hero profession because you didn't think i was doing anything to keep myself in good enough shape to be a hero?" Izuku asks as Katsuki nods.
Izuku just looks at Katsuki and sighs before shaking his head.
"You're a fucking moron Katsuki. Just... that is the dumbest fucking thing you could have done but i honestly see where you're coming from. Believe it or not i really do. It makes sense from your point of view and it's totally in your character to do something like that..." Izuku says as Katsuki looks at Izuku before nodding some agreeing that it is indeed stupid how he went about things.
"Kat... Kacchan, Thank you. Honestly, thank you so much for everything. Yes i even mean telling me to kill myself. If you hadn't done that... None of this would have happened and I'd still be depressed and questioning myself about everything i ever do. Because of you, I not only got to meet All Might and get the help i needed I also got to meet some really good people who are now my friends too. Speaking of which you know Komori-san?" Izuku asks tilting his head.
"You mean the girl who wings is after because the fatty likes her?" Katsuki asks wondering what this is about.
"Yeah, she came by to see me today and say that ever since the day i saved her from Wings, fingers, you and legs she's wanted to be my friend but was far too scared of you and the others to do it because they threatened to hurt her or me if she did. Do you think you can... i don't know. Keep her safe from the others or something?" Izuku asks as Katsuki just tears up some hearing Izuku call him Kacchan.
"Of course Icchan, I'll do that. I'll make sure to let her know that you wanted me to do it. Listen... I've been going to anger management classes and getting things ... under control so i don't do something like this again and make assumptions. I am REALLY trying my best Icchan. Really, i am." Katsuki says as Izuku nods his head some.
"I need to know, Do you forgive me?" Katsuki asks as Izuku just looks at Katsuki before looking down at the table. His arms fidgeting inside his straight jacket.
"Kacchan... No, i don't forgive you. Honestly i can't forgive you right now because if i do that means i demean not only the efforts of everyone around me but the efforts I've made for myself. I don't forgive you right now no. But that doesn't mean you can't earn my forgiveness. Stop being a bully! Stop picking on others because of the quirks they have. Don't use yours on them if they don't meet your standards... Some of those classmates of ours like Fingers and Wings are only thugs and deserve jail sentences but not much we can do about that while the school keeps their records clean. Most people only want to become rescue heros rather than villain stopping heros. Even one girl in our school wants to be more of an underground hero than a limelight hero. Just, don't pick on people and when i get back to school if i see that you aren't doing it and haven't done it since today onward I'll forgive you because than I'll know you're actually trying to make a difference and change yourself okay?" Izuku says as Katsuki nods some feeling his heart break slightly at that information. Hearing Izuku's condition however fills his heart with hope that he'll get his best friend back before nodding to him.
"Of course Icchan, I've already stopped with most of that anyway but, I'll do even more to help out and stop others from doing it. Really, I will. I promise." Katsuki says as Izuku just smiles some.
"Of course i believe you Kacchan, Afterall. The number one hero Duo can't get to the top if they can't trust in each other. I believe you'll be an amazing Hero Kacchan, Really i do. Please... keep going to your sessions and I'll go to mine and when I'm outta here... we can just.. train. Actually train like we're supposed to so we can get better and ace that entrance exam U.A. has alright?" Izuku says as Katsuki just hugs Izuku and begins crying softly.
"Shut up nerd and just hug me. I missed you Icchan. Really" Katsuki says as Izuku laughs a little bit at the light hearted jab at his intelligence. Hearing the usual insult doesn't actually hurt him as he can literally feel the care and love Katsuki put behind the word before leaning into Katsuki giving him the best hug he can.
"Thanks Icchan, I'll do what i can to earn your forgiveness and I'll keep Mushhead safe from Fingers and Wings. That's a promise... so uh.. is it because of me that you're wearing that jacket?" Katsuki asks as Izuku shakes his head.
"Originally yes, it was to keep me from harming myself. But as time went by i saw it more as a comfort thing. I wear it when I'm nervous and need to calm down. I was having a pretty hard time since i was told i had new visitors so i asked for the jacket to calm my nerves and keep me happy. I honestly want to keep this Jacket when I'm outta here to put on when i really need it you know?" Izuku says as he looks at the jacket.
"I can get behind that. It doesn't look comfortable but i never had to wear one so i wouldn't know. But if you need it I'll stick by you 100%. Maybe you could design one for your hero costumes so you'll always be comfortable and calm in the battlefield. The only downside is i don't think anyone has ever fought without the use of their hands so you'll have to try and train 3 times as hard to just meet the basics." Katsuki says as Izuku smiles.
"Mirko the Rabbit hero uses mostly her legs for fighting so I'm going to look into that. Plus an American who is required to show up now and then for evaluations also knows a foot and leg only fighting style that he says would be perfect for me. Says that, only those who've lived lives like ours will know how to properly utilize this moveset. It's all around feet and legs. So it'll be perfect for me." Izuku says as Katsuki nods some happy his friend is somewhat back to normal.
"Listen i have to go... It was good to see you Icchan." Katsuki says as he gets up and leaves.
"Have a good day Kacchan. Thank you for clearing things up." Izuku says as he's escorted out of the room while Katsuki leaves through the other one. Izuku is lead to his room while he looks at Rei who is watching some TV and Izuku smiles a little bit before walking over and sitting down beside her.
"How was your day Rei?" Izuku asks as Rei just blushes some and chuckles.
"it was fine.. Just boring honestly since the session i had was just me talking about a few personal things i don't really like. I also met your mother today. She is such a wonderful woman." Rei says as She remembers how she and Inko talked about Izuku only for Inko to tell her not to rob his cradle bringing her to nervously chuckle.
"Yeah my mom made a joke that I'm not really comfortable saying but it was kind of funny. I'm glad you and her got along. Who knows, maybe when we're outta here you can stay with us and away from Endeavour. Based on what you said he's done and how he went with a technically illegal quirk marriage and all that he did to you. He's no hero and he sure as hell doesn't deserve the spot he's in right now and i know my mother and i would never let you near him by choice. I'll talk to my mom about letting you stay with us when you get out." Izuku says as he just begins sliding himself out of his jacket with Rei's help who smiles a little bit and just sighs at how her heart beats slightly faster.
"That would make me feel so much better Izu-kun. Knowing i don't have to stay anywhere near him. Would my kids be able to come visit me at your place?" Rei asks knowing the answer but still curious.
"Of course, Who knows. I could possibly become friends with your son Shoto and show him that he's not so alone and maybe help him see his quirk as it really is." Izuku says as he turns to face Rei with a smile.
"That would be wonderful Izuku. So who else came to visit you?" Rei asks wondering as Izuku smiles and begins telling her about how he spent time with Ibara gardening and then training with Chizome. His abs clenching a little bit as he begins stretching. Rei licking her suddenly dry lips just nods as he then tells her about Kinoko and his mother's visit. Then he tells her how Bakugo visited him and how things went. Rei just smiles at him proud he stood his ground before hugging Izuku.
"I'm so proud of you Izuku, you stood up to him and made sure he knew how stupid it was. Not only that you may have actually made a difference with his actions by saying what you did." Rei says as her hands rub Izuku's back getting him to relax a little more in her grip. He smiles some and just nods.
"I know, I'm so happy that he really seems to be wanting to change. So i know you were painting this morning, What does the final project look like?" Izuku asks as he walks over to the Easel holding a painting. Taking a look at her he smiles happily and sees the image of a brave and armored knight defending a princess from onlookers who are throwing things at them. Izuku smiles and looks at Rei.
"This is beautiful Rei, Honestly I'm sure you could easily sell this for a lot of money. The colors and imagery are astounding. That knight looks so powerful and stalwart with how he's escorting and keeping that princess safe from the rioting crowd. The princess does look a lot like you though. The beautiful straight white hair that leads to her waist, the white gold dress that hugs her figure perfectly with her pearlescent white skin and those stunning silver eyes. You captured your own beauty perfectly." Izuku says as Rei just looks away embarrassed he picked up on it so quickly.
"Thank you Izu-kun, It means a lot to me hearing you say that about me." Rei says as Izuku examines the picture more and notices the stunning green eyes of the Knight that peek out through his helmets eye slits. Izuku smiles a little bit and sees that the eyes are glowing with determination and purpose. Izuku can't help but see himself as being like that one day when he becomes a hero. He looks at Rei and smiles.
"I know i would LOVE to have this hanging in my room back home. But you should totally sell this to make some money or keep it as it's a lovely piece that could really bring a room together." Izuku says as Rei just nods some.
"I was going to have my daughter Fuyuki come over and pick it up and take it to her room like most of my other paintings. I can always make more." Rei says as Izuku smiles and nods at her before he sits down on the couch and watches more hero news. Surprisingly it's about All Might doing an interview about why she's trying so hard to fight for quirkless Rights and speaks about how she's disgusted with everyone treating them as though they have a disease. Being Quirkless is not a disease and it surely doesn't make them any less human than those with Quirks. When asked about if this is only about the "boy" who tried killing himself All Might gets serious and says that it isn't about just one boy. It's about all the men, women and children who are not only abused but kill themselves because they have no help and even about how it's horrible a parent would abandon or even kill a child simply for being quirkless like a family who just drowned their own 4 year old daughter hoping those monsters rot in prison for ever. All Might keeps going and brings up the fact that those with quirks were once persecuted for not being human yet none of them were executed or loved any less than those who didn't have quirks before they became an every day thing.
The channel is cut to black and the image of "Signal lost" is shown as All Mights Interview is cut short since no one is wanting this information to get out as Izuku sighs seeing how hard All Might is trying to make things better for people like him and how he was the catalyst for it. He smiles knowing that All Might will eventually change things and he feels his hand get held by Rei who also smiles at him knowing that abuse like his will hopefully be a thing of the past.
"Come on, since All Mights Interview was cut I'm sure she's very pissed off. In the mean time why don't you try painting with me? I can start the show i use back at the very first episode so we can do it together. I think you'll like the show's star" Rei says as she turns on the archived footage of "the Joys of Painting with Bob Ross and She and Izuku begin. The whole time show is going on Izuku is trying his best but can't rightfully get it going or looking as good as Rei's or Bobs but he knows that it'll take time and practice. He also begins thinking on things in the back of his mind and how painting is actually pretty therapeutic. He looks at rei as they get supplies and immediately begin another painting session doing this for a 3 hours each showing they each have 6 paintings done. Izuku's obvious to him are nowhere near as good as Bob's or Reis but he actually see's some sort of improvement by the 6th painting. He smiles as this has just made him get a new way to de-stress after a hard day as painting and creating something actually helped keep the voice at bay even better when he remembered what he's learned so far.
"Izu-kun, Your next session is at 7 today isn't it?" Rei asks as she smiles some setting the paintings away to dry over night.
"Yeah, But it's more to re-affirm that I'm attractive. I don't get why she wants me to feel that I'm attractive. I'm not." Izuku says as he scratches his head as the voice cackles making Izuku smack his head a few times to shut it up.
"Izuku, You are absolutely attractive. Honestly i think you'd have higher self esteem after your sessions with our psychiatrist." Rei says as she walks over to Izuku. Izuku just looking down at the ground before feeling someone hug him from behind.
"You're really attractive. Your hair is just the most beautiful forest green I've ever seen. Those diamond shape freckles under your eyes make you adorable and those emerald green eyes of yours are just stunning. I find myself getting lost in them sometimes and not wanting to leave. You have the body type of a boxer and the mind of a genius on top of that. You're so kind and caring to everyone and just so polite. You have a sense of justice second only to All Might herself and your heart is just so full of love to give and wanting to receive just as much. If my daughter Fuyumi meets you i know she'll want to try and be with you age gap be damned." Rei says as she trails her hands down to Izukus and grabs hold of them softly and interlocks her fingers with his.
"Your hands while rough and calloused from your training are soft and gentle when they are needed to be. I know that Ibara girl likes when you and her are gardening and your hands brush together. I see her blush every time it happens and i also know she can't stop looking at your firm butt. Poor girl is religious and probably is trying to stop herself from looking at you in that light but your personality is just too friendly and welcoming. You see the good in everyone and try to bring that out as best you can. Izuku everything you do ticks literally every box on all girls checklist for the perfect boyfriend or husband. Especially since you know how to cook so well." Rei says as she lets go of a tomato red Izuku as her hands rub up his shoulders before she grabs them.
"You need to understand that you are attractive. You are wanted. You have people who love and want you. I know this more than anyone." Rei says as she also blushes before seeing the time and heading off to the bathroom.
"I'm going to take a shower. You should clean up your hands and change shirts. Your session isn't too far away from now." Rei says this as she closes the door to the bathroom and sighs a little bit before stripping naked and starting the shower. She just looks at herself in the mirror and just runs her hands along her waist, legs and her hips. She looks at herself and sighs a little bit before coming up to grope her own breasts.
"Would Izuku like someone of my age? Would he even register it as actual affection or... just ignore it thinking I'm being a mother? Always so complicated. Thank you Inko for giving the world such a bright and shining light to follow in times of darkness." Rei says as she gets into the shower and begins to clean herself off.
(Psychiatrists office)
"So you met with him hmm? I'm glad my plan worked out as i thought it would." The psychiatrist says as Izuku nods some and just sighs.
"It was hard really. The voices literally started to scream as loud as explosions about how worthless i was. How i was just a deku, how i should just kill myself. But the look on Katsuki's face and how he talked to me just clicked into place and calmed me down. We had a meaningful discussion and i can tell he REALLY wants to show he's changing. I'm happy for him." Izuku says as his psychiatrist smiles at him and reaches over patting his shoulder before giving it a soft rub.
"That's wonderful Izuku. You know, with how things are going I'm willing to bet that you can go out in public with a chaperone and not have any real problems. So I'm going to go ahead and sign off on the papers that will allow that to happen. You should be free to leave the building by next week so you can have some fun with your friends. Chizome sadly doesn't meet the criteria so he can't leave. I'm sorry about that Izuku." The woman says as she writes up the information as Izuku laughs.
"Chizome knows he's not right in the head all the time. He's told me this and he wants me to go out without him because he knows I'll be safe. He wants me to not worry about him as much because he knows that my time here is almost done. He doesn't realize it but so is his. He's been given that new medication to help him with his broken mind. I know that you're going to put me on the same kind of medication as i read the symptoms it deals with and they're also the same kind of thing I'm having to fight against. When Chizome or myself get out of here, I'm going to stick to our training sessions guidelines so i can keep in shape. Who knows. My mother has told me of a beach she and my father used to go to when they were dating and how it's filled with junk. I thought i should work on getting that place cleaned up but i can't do that till i get out of here." Izuku says as the psychiatrist just smiles more as she chuckles to herself.
"Still every bit the hero you always wanted to be eh? That's a good goal to reach for Izuku. I'm glad you're so far along. I can happily say that yes i will be putting you on that medication. It's a precaution rather than an actual prescription like Chizome. You have infinite refills of the meds if you need it but remember to use them when the voices either come back in large numbers or are just screaming too loudly to be ignored. With your mind somewhat repaired. We can spend the next 6 months working on your self esteem. That is also a big trigger for depression and suicidal thoughts. You need to know that you are in fact worth it." His psychiatrist says as she begins making a small check list about things they will need to discuss. Izuku smiling happily as he just closes his eyes and leans back into the chair he's sitting in. He knows this will be embarrassing but worth it.
