A/N: First two exams are done. Hope everyone doing fine! So, this chapter was quite hard to make again. But, thanks to everyone for likes and follows. Passed 200 followers. Thanks to heartfanglives again for the review.
Docks. Tuesday, 1:25 AM.
Izuku released his grip on the rifle on rolled on his back.
"Hn"
…
"HnhnhnhnhahaHAHAHAA…haaa…"
It didn't go away. The emptiness didn't go away.
He knew it wouldn't. He knew it wouldn't feel as if he accomplished something. He knew it won't bring him satisfaction.
Damn it, he knew it all.
Izuku looked into the night sky with a single tear escaping his eyes, and raised his left hand as if he could grab stars with it. The light of the moon reflected from his black arm.
Suddenly, he clenched his fist and hit the concrete floor.
Why?
Idiot.
He hit again.
Stupid idiot.
Why?
Again. Again. Again. Sparks flew as metal met concrete.
Why? Why? Whywhywhywhywhy?!
Why did you expect something to change?
Izuku was breathing hard. He turned left and noticed that his punches managed to slightly crack the concrete.
His anger remained, but it lost its focus with the death of the spy and the executor.
"Think, Izuku…" he muttered. "If you want to find some salvation for yourself…you must think. Think, to survive. Think, to understand how you can correct your current way of thinking. Think to set new goals in life. Come on…you told Momo you will get through this…think, Izuku, think."
He clenched his chest with his left hand, looking at pale stars in the sky. He needed this emptiness filled.
Hm. It seems he accidentally removed the outer layer of his prosthesis while hitting the floor. He didn't remember it being so cold.
Cod as concrete bellow him, as air around him, as wind blowing on him. Everything was freezing.
He needed warmth. Warmth that could calm.
Izuku half-closed his eyes.
'How did you manage to think clearly during those days?'
He sighed, thinking.
'…You won't manage alone' he remembered.
He rubbed his eyes.
"Yes, yes, I know that."
Great. Now he was talking to himself.
Being around people…helped a lot. That's it. When Momo or Emiya was there, it was much easier for him. Only those two managed to either understand him and support him. He needed them.
'Please, help me'
He got his phone. Lying on a roof of a high building, with nothing but wind disturbing the silence…just thinking about this call felt warming.
The call was answered.
"Hey…"
"*Yawn*…Izuku?" asked Momo on the other end.
Hearing that voice was like a lullaby.
"Yeah. Sorry for calling you so late"
"It's not *yawn* a problem. I got into bed early. And…you know this feeling, when you wake up in a middle of a night and realize you still have hours to sleep?"
"Yeah…" Izuku smiled weakly, looking at the night sky "It's awesome"
"So, um…how is Osaka?"
Izuku sighed again.
"It's finished…I'm coming back."
"Oh! That's good! Can't wait to see you behind that table in your office once more. Your branded shirts are waiting."
Izuku chuckled. Maybe, he should ask it right now.
"Well…Momo. Listen, I-I wanted to ask a question."
"M? What is it, Izuku?"
"D-do y-" he blushed, and made a few calming breathes. "D-Do…sorry, I stutter a bit."
"It's okay, take your time"
Izuku breathed in once more. Here he goes.
"Does your house have a basement where I can work and train?"
"…"
"M-Momo?"
"Yes! Yes, we have one! I…think. If we don't, we will make one! Don't worry about it!"
He could hear heavy breathing on the other side of the phone.
"Are you okay?"
Izuku could hear footsteps approaching. He glanced at the entrance to the roof.
"Yes. Fine. Good! Perfect, even."
Izuku couldn't help but laugh a bit at those words. She sounded eager. Well…
To hell with it. He was somewhat eager too.
"I'll try to get to you before the Sports Festival. I will try to return to my position after it, if doctors at Tokyo Hospital say that I can be working"
"Splendid! I'll tell father tomorrow."
"Heh…thanks. I mean, um…have a good night, then."
"Good night. And don't forget to message me at least once tomorrow"
She hung up. Izuku took a photo of the night sky and sent her.
'Thank you, Momo'
"Are you done? How are you feeling?" Asked Sir Nighteye.
For once, it was not Emiya who came first.
"I'm good. I made an injection before the operation" Said Izuku, his smile slowly disappearing. He went to the rifle and started disassembling it.
"Do you need help?"
"No, I'll manage mys-…" Izuku stopped for a moment. He turned to Nighteye. "You know, why not?"
Nighteye approached him and started to put the parts of the rifle into the case.
Osaka. Tuesday, 3:15 PM.
Operation was a success. Miruko and Nighteye returned to their cities, while the enforcers were ready to get back to the headquarters and rest. Some needed proper medical treatment. Medical personal from a local hospital will be accompanying the wounded to the headquarters.
This way, the vans with injured will be protected by the column of returning enforcers.
But before that…
"Tsk, it's overcooked" Said Emiya, putting the food down.
"I think you are overreacting" Said Izuku, stuffing his mouth with meat.
Emiya looked at him with almost accusing expression.
"Listen, I understand messing up with spices. This is a common problem. Not everyone can understand how much is needed for the best taste. But, Midoriya, to overcook chicken? This is a low blow."
Emiya pushed the plate away and crossed his arms.
'And they call it a restaurant. No, thanks. It is not worth my money earned with blood and sweat' he thought, putting one leg over another.
Izuku pointed at the dish Emiya pushed away.
"Can I finish it?"
Emiya waved his hands.
"Whatever. Eat if you want to"
Izuku nodded and finished his meal, and then took Emiya's plate.
Older operative sighed at the picture. Still, it's good that Izuku had such an appetite. He will recover faster.
Actually, when Emiya looked at him, Izuku was way too focused on the food.
Tsk.
He wanted to recover as fast as possible, it seemed. He was that eager to return to duty?
Emiya hoped that Yaoyorozu girl will fix his attitude a bit. He couldn't really understand the way the brat was feeling, but he knew for sure that he shouldn't be left alone now. At least, during first weeks.
Izuku was standing on a crossroad. If he returns to UA, then maybe his peers will help him to recover mentally. But, then again, he would only really interact with them during classes and sometimes after.
During the time he is alone, the brat will start to overwork himself. Emiya knew the boy enough to understand that.
And if he had decided to return to active enforcer duty, his schedule would be fully in Emiya's control and he wouldn't be alone since the squad is inseparable in the headquarters. He wouldn't overwork himself.
Tsk. No, active duty was out. The brutality and frustration that Izuku was showing lately wasn't a good sign. Students, and Momo, should help him with that.
He hoped.
Emiya's apartment. Tuesday, 10:15 PM.
"I'm home" announced Emiya with a sigh.
When he turned after closing a door, he was met with a pair of blue eyes, staring at him.
Rin. She was wearing a simple red shirt with her hair combed into a ponytail.
"How did everything go?" She asked, approaching him.
She was a woman his age, one he knew from school. Fate brought them together, as she was one Emiya had to save during his early years of working in the Commission. They kept in contact ever since, before Rin decided to bring the relationship on a higher level.
Considering it was getting quite lonely without Izuku around, who was working with kids in UA, Emiya accepted.
She hugged him.
"As good as it could be, I guess" He said with a sigh. "Swift and strong, as it should be. Can't go in details."
She looked at him and didn't notice any patches or bandages.
"Good. I didn't know how late you would come, so I've made the dinner already"
"It's western cuisine today, if I'm not mistaken?"
"Yep!"
Both of them got to the kitchen and Shirou fell into his chair. He wiped his face.
"How is your work?" He asked, looking at her filling his plate.
"As slow as usual. Work with gems has to be very accurate, but…we are getting close."
"So…it means that using stones as data storages for computers is not a fantasy anymore?"
Rin sighed.
"Not stones, Shirou. Gems. I'm working with gems. And yes, it won't be a fantasy in near future."
Emiya chuckled.
"And how is Midoriya-kun? Usually you don't try to evade that topic" She asked, giving him a plate.
Emiya sighed.
"Because I don't know what to do, to be honest. He once more showed himself with his analyses. Without him, we would take much longer to locate the enemy. But…Sometimes he acts normally, sometimes I'm afraid he will break down after everything that happened to him."
Rin crossed her arms.
"And you left him in hospital alone?"
Emiya sighed again.
"And what exactly was I supposed to do?"
"Shirou."
"Rin, I still need to rest, and I can't exactly take him from the hospital just like that."
Rin stood beside him, biting her nail in thought.
"Listen…everything happened barely a week ago. You can't leave him like that. Aren't you two inseparables?"
"I understand that as well, Rin. He constantly looks for something that can distract him. Lately, it was work, but with the last operation…I'm not sure what he will find this time" Emiya answered and went to the kitchen counter to make himself a cup of tea. "But, as I said, I can't just take him from the hospital. It's not like I can just make him recover faster"
Emiya stopped.
"What is it, Shirou?"
Make him recover faster. Izuku was already good enough to leave hospitals for some time, thanks to the doctors in Tokyo Hospital. He doesn't have any major wounds, just his overall state needs a bit of time.
"I have an idea. I think I can help him to get to Yaoyorozu before the Sports Festival. Friday will be the day I will take him to them"
"I'm coming with you." She suddenly announced. Emiya glanced at her with a raised eyebrow. Rin crossed her arms. "What? I have yet to meet him, might as well be on a good day."
"Don't you have work on Friday?"
"I'll ask for one free day"
"What's with sudden interest?"
"You met my parents. So I might as well meet your family."
"Tsk. Rin, I've told you already, we have-"
"Professional relationship. And I don't buy it."
With a sigh, she hugged him from behind. If she could, she would place her head on his shoulder…but he was way too tall for that. Instead, she pressed her forehead on his back.
"I've seen the way you acted when you heard the news. About his supposed death."
Shirou frowned with a sigh.
"So, you take him to Yayo…Yo-how do you pronounce that again?"
Emiya chuckled.
"Yaoyorozu"
"Yayo-Argh, whatever! To this family and we all celebrate his recovery. More of us, the better."
UA. Wednesday, 8:42 AM.
"I think you can tell them. But not about the house and everything. Just that I'm back and in hospital, and that I'm almost recovered" Was written in the message.
Momo sighed and looked around. She messaged the text to the group chat.
A few moments later, she found herself to be in the center of everyone's attention.
"Hey, Midoriya-san is back?" Asked Jirou next to her.
"What happened?" Asked Kaminari.
"Why is he in hospital?" Asked Mina, leaning on Momo's table.
"Why do you have his number?" Asked Hagakure. Momo had an answer planned in advance to that particular question.
"I'm class representative. Of course I have his number"
Shinsou looked at the screen with a raised eyebrow.
"Everyone, please take your seats! Homeroom is about to start!" Iida, just as always, was trying to return the order.
"He is in hospital because he got a serious injury." Calmly answered Momo. She frowned, remembering his state when she saw him at the funeral. "He also asked to warn you that he won't return until Monday"
Mina groaned.
"So, it means we won't meet him before the Festival"
Momo frowned, though still disliking Mina's interest. This girl just didn't know when to stop or what?..Tsk, technically, at this point Mina had as much right to pursue him as Momo did.
"It seems so." She answered.
New message.
"He said that we are even." Momo read it.
"Hm? What does it mean?" Asked Kirishima.
"I don't know…" Momo said unsurely.
New message.
"About saving me, I mean" She read it.
"Oh!" Kaminari suddenly remembered. "It's when we thanked him for saving us."
"Ah, yes" Suddenly said Shinsou that appeared in the small gathering. "Save me once and we are even. That was what he said"
"But…what did we do?"
Silence fell on the group.
Momo hummed. Was that because of her visit in hospital? Didn't really sound like something big enough to make him say that. Considering what happened, there was only one person that could answer that.
"Bakugou-san" Momo turned to him suddenly. All of the students looked with raised eyebrows at Momo, and then at Bakugou. "Maybe you know what he is talking about?"
Teen turned to them.
"I'm not saying shit"
Momo sighed. At least it confirmed who was behind it.
"Really?" Kaminari muttered with an unsure smile. "Bakugou of all people?"
"C'mon, bro!" Kirishima approached him. "Spill it, what did you do?"
Bakugou looked at Eijirou with something between a frown and a scowl.
"Ask D-Midoriya if you want to know. I told you I'm not saying shit about it."
Momo stood up, still looking at Bakugou. She more than anyone else here understood that life of an enforcer required some amount of secrecy, and Bakugou was just sticking to that rule. If Izuku did not want to tell the class about what happened, then Bakugou understood that it was for a reason.
Now that she remembered, he was silent even when the new representative lied about Izuku's whereabouts.
Still…Whatever he did, it was enough for Izuku to thank him for saving.
Momo bowed slightly.
"Whatever you did, Bakugou-san, thank you for it."
Teen glanced at her bowing and turned away.
Momo sat in her place and Aizawa came in.
She will have to ask Izuku about what Bakugou did, just out of curiosity.
Tokyo Hospital. Thursday, 1:21 PM.
Izuku was breathing hard, searching for an injector.
Finally getting the suppressant, Izuku sighed and leaned back into the bed. He glanced at his arm. Its black color was becoming a sore sight.
His failure.
He clenched it into a fist.
That was what he wanted the students not to experience. He was fighting for a better society in the only way he could and knew.
Emiya said that it was harder for both heroes and enforcers before. Soon, it will be Izuku's turn to make it easier for the next generation.
There was a knock on the door and three people came in.
"Greetings, young Midoriya"
The first one to enter was Emiya. Seeing him made Izuku smile despite not even noticing it. With him came in two more people.
First was…he didn't know who it was. Some man in a black official suit, and the second one was Recovery Girl.
"Greetings." Izuku bowed in his sitting position.
"How are you doing, brat?" Asked Emiya, crossing his arms.
Izuku flexed his arm a bit.
"Good. Ready for a new operation, if needed"
Emiya nodded and leaned on a wall, forcing Izuku's attention on the other occupants of the room.
The strange man turned to Recovery Girl.
"Ma'am, may I? This won't take long."
"Of course." She answered. Emiya brought her a chair and placed it next to Izuku's bed.
The man stood next to Izuku's bed with a notebook.
"I'm a representative from a government, and I'm here to talk about the housing issue."
Izuku nodded.
"Right now, you don't have any known living siblings" Izuku winced at the reminder, but the man continued. "With no property left to you, the government is to issue you an apartment for a time. Also, since you are under 18, offer you monthly payments for different spendings. I'm here for your sign."
Izuku sighed.
"That won't be needed, sir…"
"Hirohito. I apologize for not introducing myself."
"…sir Hirohito. I have a place to live. My…friends invited me to live with them"
"And you sure that you will stay there for a long time?"
"Yes."
Man wrote down the information.
"I understand. Cases like that occur from time to time."
"And payment won't be needed. I have a job."
Man shook his head.
"Sorry, but that is out of question. This is not about you having a job. This payment is received to help you with any of your needs, even if you have a job. Believe me, we have enough people who work, and yet it doesn't cover all the basic needs."
Izuku nodded with a frown. It seemed that kids that still had a school, but were left without parents, couldn't really afford even the basic needs with their part-time jobs.
"I understand."
The man closed his notebook and gave Izuku a document.
"Then, please, sign it and specify the address of your new place of residence."
Izuku did as he was told and returned the document.
"That's all. Thank you for your attention, young Midoriya. Sorry for taking your time, ma'am"
When the man left, Recovery Girl approached Izuku's bed.
"Hello again, young representative." she said and looked at his face, checked his arm. To use a prosthesis at such young age…Poor kid.
"Hello" Izuku answered. He noted that he, obviously, didn't feel anything from her touches. He knew he wouldn't, but it sure will take time to get used to.
"Does it hurt?"
"Not really. I still have to use suppressants, though."
"Phantom pains?"
"Can't really recall, to be honest."
"Headaches?"
"No."
"Overall state?"
"Ready for action"
Recovery girl nodded, and kissed his arm. Suddenly, Izuku felt a rush of energy, only to it to disappear quickly.
"I've read today's notes on your state. With my quirk, you will be released tomorrow morning. Don't forget to eat a full meal today. My quirk only increases the speed of your natural recovery, but it takes a lot of your energy"
Izuku nodded, already knowing about it.
"Okay. Thank you for a…quite sudden visit."
"You should think this boy" She nodded in Emiya's direction. "He called the vice-president of your commission, asked him to call director of UA to ask me to come here today."
"Thank you too, Emiya-san"
Emiya crossed his arms, looking away.
"I'll get you tomorrow in the afternoon. Your vehicle is already parked at Yaoyorozu's"
Izuku nodded again.
"Do you need me to buy something?" Asked the older operative.
Izuku nodded.
"I will need some spare clothes. Just a few, at least. I'll get everything I need myself after."
Emiya nodded.
"Got it. Until then, then."
"Bye"
As the two left, Izuku once more was lost at what to do.
…
The only thing he could think of, then. Work.
Izuku got his notebook.
'Just like always, from the very beginning. What do we have?'
He put 'All For One' in the middle.
The spy and the executor were eliminated. They were confirmed to be working under All For One.
He made two circles with their names and drew arrows to All For One.
Noumus. They had multiple quirks. Connected to All For One.
Shimura Tenko (yet to be confirmed) with decaying quirk. League of villains. Had Noumus. Connected to All For One.
Warping villain. The biggest threat at the moment. Worked with Tenko. League of villains. Connected to All For One.
Operation in the woods. Abducted people in containers. Black Knight. Multiple quirks. Scientist. Connected to All For One.
Villains at USJ. Didn't know anything, used as weak infantry. Left to police. Not connected to All For One.
Izuku frowned. The only way he could attract someone this big had to be USJ. He didn't do anything big beside that.
So, USJ was a reason to track Izuku. It was a reason to risk revealing the spy in HPSC ranks, as well as the one who destroyed his home.
Was USJ that important? Why?
Attacking students was that important? Didn't look so. They kept the Noumu close. If they really wanted to kill the students, they would use it right from the start.
He was missing something.
When Tenko (?) intruded into UA, his point of interest was the room with grades and schedules.
Schedules.
Class 1-A. Friday. Hero lessons with Allmight and Thirteen.
Allmight. Noumu did not attack anyone but Black Knight and Allmight.
Allmight was pushed to his limit during the fight.
Izuku's eyes widened.
They wanted to attack Allmight, and they actually got very close to defeat him. The students weren't the target, and they tried to dispose of them on the way.
Izuku felt shivers going down his spine. If even Number One hero was struggling…Okay. League of Villains sounded like the most active and dangerous group right now.
Izuku nodded.
Primary targets: Scientist, League Of Villains, All For One.
Task: Terminate on sight.
Izuku frowned, thinking of the next step of his analysis. The enemy lost the source of information. With the League of Villains being the most active group that targeted UA…
Spy in UA: Possible.
Task: Interrogate. Terminate after.
Tokyo Hospital. Friday, 12:22 PM.
"…and here we are" Said Rin, looking at the door. She had yet to meet the younger operative. With all the things that happened to the boy, she hoped she could be an assistance to Shirou when it came to helping him.
"I'll go first" Said Emiya.
He entered the room and-
"Ah. Emiya-san. Look!" Said Midoriya with messy hair, standing near a wall filled with notes and red threads connecting things on the wall. "I've been thinking about possible next steps of the organized crime here. Considering what we saw in the forest operation, they were only learning how to create Nomus, whose primary target was actually Allmight since the intruder looked for his class specifically. It just so happened that it had to be 1-A. Why do I think so? They attacked students, but yet, didn't use the Nomu. So, they learned how to create Nomus. They gave the strongest one to the League of Villains. From this, and the fact the League of Villains is the most active group out of everything we saw before, daring to make direct attacks on hero facilities, I will consider them to be the leading group of criminals right under All For One, and the most dangerous one. They have the warping villain, after all. Considering that they seem to target UA, and with their recent loss of informant in HPSC, I think they will find an agent within UA. I've found a few ways how to approach this with the director, Nezu. But, this will be my problem I will try to solve with the UA staff on my side. We still have problems on the other side, and we need police to work on this. It is the scientist we saw in the forest. He was working on Black Knight that we captured, but Black Knight is inferior to the Nomu that was in USJ. So, a weaker version then. Prototype. He worked on prototypes, which means he worked on other Nomus as well. He must be found and terminated. People like him usually don't crack under pressure, so I don't think interrogation will work. It might, but still, I don't think it will. So, terminate on sight. And the problem with All For One. He is not just the king of the crime, but he is also very strong himself. We need to quickly find someone that can reach Allmight's level of strength by any means required, or force Allmight himself to shorten his teaching time. We need him at full strength when it comes to that. I wonder how Eraserhead's quirk will work on All For One, though. Still, what I came up with that there will a new attack on UA, most likely."
Izuku made a few quick breathes and turned to Emiya.
"Please tell me that you were…writing it…down" Izuku expected a face full of interest and understanding. What he saw instead were expression filled with shock, confusion, and agape mouths.
Emiya turned to Rin.
"Listen, he is not always like that. I swear."
Rin facepalmed.
"See? This is why I scolded you for leaving him alone."
"I know, I know. My mistake. And that's why I'm scared of sending him back to UA."
"Hey, did you listen-" Izuku was reaching out for them.
"Maybe that Yoya…Momo will help him with that. Maybe distract him a bit from his work."
"I hope so, Rin. This constant state of thinking won't do him good"
"My, Shirou-kun, already planning on him acting on his instincts instead of his grey matter? He has yet to move in with that girl."
"Hey" Izuku repeated. "Weren't you…writing it down…"
"Well, maybe." Emiya nodded to Rin. "I mean, they are teens in their puberty. This is just a question of time."
Izuku leaned on a wall with the notes and slipped into a sitting position.
"I need some coffee"
Emiya smirked.
"Now you are finally speaking human language" He said, getting to the kettle.
Rin chuckled. There goes the first impression. Instead of a sad boy, she found a machine that was working without rest, if left unsupervised. He and Emiya were more alike than those two even were realizing. She could see how he could be the one to help during operations so much.
"Hello! I'm Tohsaka Rin, Shirou's girlfriend. Glad to finally meet you."
Izuku glanced at her with a somewhat tired smile.
"Midoriya Izuku. Glad to meet you too" He said, rubbing his metallic arm.
And now there was the boy Emiya was concerned about. The one that needed help.
"Shirou and I are here to pick you up. Is everything clear with the hospital?"
Izuku nodded.
"Yeah. I can leave anytime today."
Emiya handed them two cups of coffee.
"Good" he said. "Your safe is still in the vehicle. And some spare clothes for you are in my car"
Izuku sipped his coffee.
"I think I need a new laptop. For work. As I said earlier it is possible for a new spy to work in UA. Who knows who can access my computer?"
"Hm. Want to make it fully isolated?"
"Yeah. Remove all possible wireless receivers."
Izuku slid part of his metallic arm back.
"There's a port where I can keep a small data storage. I think of using it as portable OS for the lapt-"
Izuku stopped and hissed in pain. He really wanted to grab his arm, but had to carefully place the cup of coffee on the floor first. Emiya quickly turned around and found an injector close to bed. Grabbing it, he approached Izuku and made an injection.
"…Thanks. Tsk, those are a drag."
Emiya nodded. Rin was unsure at what it was all about, but didn't give a sign about it. Apparently, it was something with his arm. Still, she had to keep an expression as if she understood everything perfectly, even if she was struggling.
"Finish your coffee and let's go" Said Emiya. "Take a picture of your wall or whatever. Make sure it's not here when the nurses get here."
Yaoyorozu residence. Friday, 6:21 PM.
Momo couldn't hide her excitement. Of course, the reasons barely could get worse, that was true.
But still.
He decided to come and live here. That was a good sign. He needed help, and she could give plenty of that.
Hm. Maybe he could even take her to UA and then back home. Or maybe she could help him adjust his tie when he was hurrying to work. Of course, that would require her getting up earlier, which also meant getting to bed earlier. But she could live with that.
She noticed Emiya's car approaching.
Her father sighed next to her.
"Here they are." He said.
"They are indeed"
The car passed the gates and parked. From it came out Izuku, Emiya and…who was it?
Izuku smiled at her. She sighed inwardly. It was as contagious as ever.
He got his things only to Emiya to take them himself.
"Hello, Momo, Ichirou-san" Said Izuku.
"Hello, Izuku." Ichirou greeted back.
"Hi" Momo greeted as well.
Ichirou and Emiya exchanged nods.
The new girl that came with them approached as well.
"Hello. I'm Tohsaka Rin. Shirou's girlfriend"
"Welcome" Said Ichirou. "Well then. We should show Izuku his room. Shall we?"
Izuku's bedroom. Friday, 6:47 PM.
Izuku came into the room. It was not that far from Momo's, so if anything happens, he would be there to protect her. It was quite…spacious. Reminded him of Momo's room. It too had a large bed, its own bathroom, a long table with a laptop on it, a few drawers here and there.
There was also an empty bookshelf with an armchair next to it. Near the laptop, and a wall, there was a big board where he could write. There was a TV connected to bed, to watch while lying on it.
On the table he could see some sweets and other gifts. When he approached, he noticed that it was from 1-A for his recovery.
Izuku smiled fondly.
"So?" Asked Ichirou in the entrance. "How do you like it?"
Izuku looked around again. It has yet to feel like home…but it was just a question of time. Anyone in his position would need some time to adjust.
"It has…everything that I need. Or might need. I don't know if I could even add anything to that. Maybe, just…fill the shelves, but that's it. Thank you so much, Ichirou-san."
"You have yet to meet the most important parts, Izuku" He said, putting hands on his waist.
Basement. Friday, 7:01 PM.
Ichirou turned the lights on.
The basement. Izuku wasn't sure if he liked the idea that basement being the most important part.
But…damn.
Fenced boxes with locks. Another PC. Large polished table. Tools of all sizes. Storage box with a climate control, which contained different materials that Izuku will need. A few machines in the further part of the basement.
Damn it. It has all what previous basement had, and a little more.
Izuku frowned a bit, remembering time he spent in his own basement back at home.
"I…I don't really know how to thank you, Ichirou-san"
"I'll give you keys from the fences and the basement. One will be with you, and another I will keep with me. But, well, since maids won't be allowed here, you will have to keep it clean yourself."
"I understand. I think you should give Momo another key as well"
Ichirou nodded.
"As you want it. You are the one responsible for this place."
Ichirou nodded again and turned the lights off.
"Then let's get back to others."
Backyard. Friday, 7:21 PM.
"We also have a building with a swimming pool, fitness room, you know about the training room…hm." Momo couldn't really find anything else that might interest Izuku.
"A swimming pool?" Emiya asked with raised eyebrow.
"Well, yes. It might be hard to enjoy swimming during winter, so we decided to have a whole building for that."
Rin and Emiya sighed. Rich people and their problems. The group was now in the backyard of the main building, which had a large open space. They all stood there, while Ichirou was away to check the dinner.
"The house is as complex as always" Izuku said with a smile.
"You can always do laps here if you forget where the fitness room is." Emiya commented with a smirk.
Izuku looked at him with a raised eyebrow.
While Midoriya was responding to Emiya, Rin approached Momo.
"Can I take you away for a moment?" She asked.
Momo looked unsure. What could a person she met not so long ago talk with her about? In private, even.
"Um, yes, of course"
When two of them were far enough, Rin stopped and turned to where Izuku and Shirou were standing. She slightly smiled at the picture, as two of them were standing in almost identical positions, with their arms crossed and looking somewhere in a distance, talking.
"I'll be blunt with you" Rin said with a sigh, crossing her arms as well. "I'm here to give you a girl advice. But, before it, I have to ask a question..."
Rin sighed again. She already expected the way the girl will react to this.
"Are you interested in Midoriya-kun?"
"Yes." Was the immediate answer.
"Eh?" Okay, Rin didn't expect such a straight answer. In the end, she was the one who chocked on her words. She cleared her throat in slight embarrassment. "Then I will tell you not to expect him to confess"
"W-why?" Asked Momo, with her eyes jumping between looking at Rin and Izuku. This feeling again. Why did it feel like she knew the operative more than her?
"Shirou was the same. These two have a risky job. We both can see what it can lead to" They glanced at Izuku's prosthesis. "Shirou thought that it should have been my choice. Maybe it was true, maybe he was just that scared of talking to a girl about such things. His life wasn't that easy, after all."
Momo looked at Izuku again, as he was about to hit laughing Emiya over something the older operative said.
"So I should be the one who confesses first. That is, if he is even interested"
Rin chuckled at the picture.
"Oh girl, he is head over heels for you. You and Shirou are the only people that keep him sane. I heard enough from Shirou to see that"
Momo nodded in understanding, with a slight blush. She felt some tension leaving her.
"It makes everything easier, then"
Rin smirked at the expression on girl's face.
"Hn. You are not one to run from a challenge, are you?"
Momo smiled as she turned to the woman.
"I wouldn't study to become a hero, then"
Izuku's bedroom. Friday, 10:21 PM.
Izuku was smiling, sitting on the bed. He just couldn't help himself.
He was right, after all. Being with people helped a lot. With Momo, Emiya-san, Tohsaka-san, Ichirou-san there…he felt at home. At least, this feeling reminded him of it.
With Emiya-san and Tohsaka-san picking him up from the hospital. With the road to Yaoyorozu residence. With all of them walking and talking about everything around that house. With the presents from 1-A. With the dinner with all of them.
It felt so nice, like…
…Like a family.
Izuku sighed and ran a hand through his hair.
There was a knock on the door. Momo entered. Izuku smiled at her again, and she smiled back.
"So…you are here." She started, sitting on the chair near the table.
"Heh. That's right."
Momo sighed, shaking her head with a smile.
"Even when you work in UA you still manage to run away somehow. Not anymore."
"Well, what can I say? Work is work."
"I am your work as well, remember?"
Izuku chuckled.
"How could I for-" Izuku stopped and hissed in pain.
Momo, knowing what it was about, quickly found a suppressant and came to Izuku. Finding the area with red dots on his arm, she made an injection.
Izuku sighed in relief, and the pain disappeared.
"Thanks" He said, looking at her, sitting next to him.
"Anytime, Izuku."
With a sigh, she found his arm and took his hand in hers. His middle finger had slight scars from the fire. She looked at the metal part of his arm and touched it in a few places.
"You don't feel anything with them, do you?"
Izuku shook his head with a sad smile.
"I wish I could"
His green eyes found hers.
They stared at each other for a few moments. Suddenly, Momo broke the contact and made a few deep breathes.
"Okay….Okay. Izuku."
"Y-yes?" Izuku stuttered a bit from a sudden change of the atmosphere in the room.
"It had a long time coming…"
"Uh-huh?"
"At this point this is a question of when, and not if…"
"And?.."
"And since you won't be the one to do it by understandable reasons, I'll do it myself."
"R-Right now?"
With a heavy blush, Momo suddenly straddled Izuku and pushed him on the bed, keeping both of his arms pinned.
"Yes, Izuku. Right now. You are finally here, and I'm going to savour every moment of it"
Izuku couldn't help but find her aggressive side hot. He should apologize to Emiya about the sub comment.
He blushed, but kept himself steady. As Momo said, it had a long time coming. But still…
He had to be sure she understood what she was getting into.
"Y-You know I'm quirkless, right?" He asked.
"Yes. And?"
"W-well, my kids might be quirkless as well because of it."
"This is not about kids, Izuku. This is about you and me, right now."
"And you know I have a dangerous job?"
"I will have the same in a few years. I don't care."
"So…you sure you want it despite everything I said?"
Momo dangerously leaned lower.
"Absolutely"
Izuku, finding his own confidence after those words, decided to finally pull his own weight here.
He raised his hands. Momo, who was still gripping his wrists, almost fell on him with sudden change of position.
"Then ask it"
Both of them were blushing hard, and breathing uneven. And yet, their voices were clear.
"Midoriya Izuku. Will you be my boyfriend?"
"Yes."
Was it because of Midoriya raising his hands even higher, or because of Momo leaning lower – they wouldn't know.
But after those words their lips met for the first time that night.
