Soul Marked
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Summer Events
Hello everyone! I'm sorry its been so long since I've updated. For the last seven months I've kept coming back to this story, trying to get this chapter wrote before giving up. I didn't want to just force words out that felt and sounded like I was just trying to force something. Good news with the help of a friend I was inspired and with their guidance I finished the latest chapter! I'll be honest I don't know when I will be able to get the next one out. Just because I've felt inspired enough to finish this one I get hit periodically with inspiration before it leaves me just as fast.
I hope to keep up with writing this story in a timely manner as I have plenty of time now.
I'd also like to point out that I might be changing the rating to this story to M. There is going to be some heavy themes in Season three which we have officially entered. With everything coming up there's going to be some dark stuff and I want to do my best to show the challenges Izuka and her friends are going to be facing. I just want to be entirely true to the vision I have for this story and I feel as if now I can stop holding back with some of the stuff I touched at.
Anyway without further ado here's the new chapter! Leave me a comment and I'll respond back! It's pretty late now and I know I have a lot of people I need to respond with so I'll make sure to do that soon! Thanks for sticking around with me during all of this! And I hope with Covid everyone is doing well and hanging in during these difficult times! I hope this brings a little bit of happiness to you guys!
I would also like to thank everyone who has sent me encouraging words, and wished me the best during a crucial time in my life. Thanks so much, it really helped to hear what you all had to say. Everyone has been very sweet and understanding, and it meant the world to me!
Edited- I went through and polished up some sentences, and fixing spelling mistakes. Nothing too big was added!
The next couple days Izuka had forgone going on a run due to her paranoia of running into Shigaraki. She finished the school term spending it constantly by Bakugo's side, neither one of them wanting to let the other out of their sight for even a moment. On the last day of school they had been informed that they would be going to a different place than the lodge, which only added to Izuka's paranoia. Sure, it made her feel better that no one would know except for a few people where this place was located, but the fact that they even needed to go this far told her everything she needed to know. Class 1-A may be in danger, or at least targeted, and she knew for sure she was the objective.
The beginning of summer break found Izuka's birthday arriving with an excitement she hadn't felt in a week. Racing from her room she ran to the living room where her mom was already sitting, with the news on while she knitted. Bouncing on her heels she quickly took a seat next to her mother. Her whole body bounced with energy causing the older woman to smile warmly, glad to have her daughter acting like her normal self.
"Happy birthday, Izuka!" she exclaimed loudly as she dropped her needles to wrap the small girl into her arms. "What are your plans for today?" Pulling back Izuka shrugged not knowing exactly what her plans would be.
"Father should be calling soon," she said. "Other than that, I don't know." A strange look crossed over her mother's features before she smiled and nodded.
"Yes, he should be," she said with a faint nod. "It's strange he hasn't yet. In the meantime, why don't you help me prepare your cake. You can invite Katsuki over later to eat it." At the mention of Kacchan a blush flooded her cheeks and she quickly shook her head.
"Ah, I don't think he would like to come over." Pining her daughter with a look Inko frowned.
"Why not? The boy has been by your side all week. I'll call and invite him over." Setting aside her work she pushed herself from the couch. "Perhaps Yagi-san would also like to come over. Call him won't you, Izuka?"
"Mom!" Izuka yelled out but her mother simply ignored her moving toward the phone. She could faintly hear her mother greeting Mitsuki and sighed as she got up and made her way towards her room where her phone was. She honestly had no choice knowing that it was just easier to do as her mom asked and invite Toshi over. Izuka could only hope that if Bakugo agreed things would go over well tonight. She had seen how he reacted suspiciously toward Toshi last time and didn't need him figuring things out before she had the chance to tell him herself.
Instantly sending a message to Toshi about how her mother had invited him over for her birthday dinner she settled into her bed. Leaving the messenger app, she clicked onto her contacts scrolling until she found her father's number. It was unusual for him to not have called her by now for her birthday. In the past years he had always woken her up to a phone call, excitedly wishing her a happy birthday, always proud to be the first to tell her. It had been months since they had last heard from him, but today she expected everything to go on as normal. He had begun to call less in the last six months telling his wife and daughter that work had become more demanding.
She hadn't spoken to him since halfway through her training for UA with Toshi. He had been so unreachable she hadn't even let him know about her quirk finally appearing, the same story she had given her mother.
A frown etched itself into her features only growing deeper as the day went by without a phone call. By the time her mother announced dinner almost done and the doorbell going off the mood surrounding her was like a heavy black cloud of sadness. Inko watched her daughter go answer the door in worry hoping that their guests would be able to make the girl smile.
Swinging the door open with truly little fanfare she came face to face with two blondes. One a darker yellow than the other, and much older. Bakugo stood their scowling his face turned to Toshi, who looked uncomfortable under his gaze. Two set of blue and red eyes landed on the small girl neither expecting the gloom that rolled off her in waves.
"Shouldn't you be smiling," Bakugo growled as he stared at her sad face. "Like every other year."
"I must agree with the young man," Toshi said eyeing her with worry. "No one should look so glum on their birthday."
Izuka forced herself to smile but her lips twitched to turn back into a frown. Bakugo sighs harshly as he pushed his way past into the home, his hand stretched out to clutch Izuka's sleeve as he passed. Helpless Izuka had no choice but to follow him, while Toshi watched the two teens with worry in his eyes hoping that the two would fall into an easy routine before too long. Closing the door softly behind him he followed the boy and girl into the dining room where Inko was laying out the food.
"Oh, good!" she exclaimed happily at the sight of them. "You two arrived just in time. Everything is done."
Bakugo greeted the older Midoriya politely as he took a seat and pulled the green-haired girl down into the chair next to him. Dinner passed quietly with mostly Toshi and Inko making conversation with one another. Izuka picked at her food glumly as she on occasion checked her phone. Bakugo stared at her from the corner of his eye catching the motion of her phone being pulled out every few minutes. His teeth ground together as he tried to figure out what had her in such a terrible mood when she was always an extra ball of happiness on her birthday.
His own mood worsening by the second as his fingers twitched at his side. The guilt and anger he still carried for the mall incident hadn't burned away and her mood now only made it worse. At the end of dinner when Inko was telling Toshi goodbye, Bakugo took that moment to grab Izuka pulling her down the hallway with him. Both adults blinked as they watched the two teens go without a word. Inko sighed as she shook her head.
"I can only hope he can get her to cheer up," she said softly.
"What's wrong with her?" Toshi asked in just as hushed of a tone. "She seemed happier yesterday." Shaking her head and making a disappointed noise Inko led him into the living room.
"Her father never called," she said. "It's a special moment for Izuka on her birthday. He always makes it her favorite part of the day. He's been communicating less recently, and I know it's been bothering Izuka. I know she hoped today wouldn't be different, and I'm angry with him for letting work or whatever it is get in the way of a call."
"He's been calling less?" Toshi asked in confusion. Izuka never talked about her father with him.
"Yes, normally he tries to call twice a month but in the last few months we're lucky if he can manage a single call." A sad frown and look of worry crossed over the woman's face as she turned to glance out the window. "I don't know what's caused him to be so busy other than the excuse that its work, but even his phone calls are no longer than ten minutes. I can't imagine what's going through Izuka's mind."
子猫
Izuka let out a huff as Bakugo pushed her to sit down on her bed as he stayed standing over her.
"So, are you going to tell me, or do I need to force it out of you?" he asked gruffly. Izuka sniffed pretending not to know what he was talking about.
"I haven't done anything Kacchan," she said frowning up at him. "You're the one manhandling me all night." Stalking forward Bakugo leaned over her causing Izuka to sit backwards to avoid being smashed against him.
"Don't play dumb, Koneko," he growled. "We both know you should have been bouncing off the walls tonight. Why weren't you?" Izuka glared at him she tried to push back the embarrassment she felt at having him so close.
"Who says I wasn't happy?" Rolling his eyes and letting out an annoyed 'Tch' noise, Katsuki reached forward to pinch her cheeks harshly.
"Don't lie to me."
Trying to wiggle away Izuka went to bat at his hand. "Ouch! Kacchan that hurts. Let go!"
Smirking deviously, he ignored her attempts at getting away. Letting out another yelp Izuka placed her hands against his chest and shoved him off
. "Ugh, fine! My father didn't call me today. Are you happy?" Catching his balance, he studied her face as she rubbed at her now irritated cheeks. Crossing his arms, he huffed as he glared at her.
"That's all?" he asked annoyed. "Your father didn't call. So what?" Feeling anger build in her chest, though logically she knew it wasn't all for Kacchan, she could fill it spilling over. Even though it wasn't all for him Izuka couldn't help but let it out all on him. Her father wasn't around to receive her anger, but he unfortunately was.
"Yes!" she yelled at him. "He calls every year but this year he goes and forgets. I haven't spoken to him since before we started UA. He doesn't even know about my quirk or that I had gotten into my dream school! I want him to be proud, but he can't even take a moment out of his day to even call. I don't even know why he forgot about me." Her voice having held so much anger chocked on the last sentence. The power behind her words fading out as tears began to fill her eyes. "Did he forget about me? Why wouldn't he call? He always calls."
Bakugo, who had been feeling satisfied about getting the truth out of her, was now beginning to feel uncomfortable. A crying Izuka was still not one he was used to dealing with. Especially not when it was obvious that he would be expected to comfort her in the end. His eyes darkened with doubt and misplaced anger.
"Don't fucking cry!" he hissed out unintentionally.
This only caused the tears to spill over as she began to sob in her grief that had been held back all day. Her hands clutched at her face as she tried to hide what she knew would be a mess, there was no doubt that her eyes would be red from tears, along with her cheeks being all splotchy. The tears streaming down her face wouldn't make her features look any better, but she just couldn't care anymore. The feeling of accomplishment meant very little to her if she couldn't share it with the one parent who she craved attention from. Phone calls and video chats being the only form of communication she had with him were usually full of her telling him about her good grades and deeds she had managed. He had always seemed so proud of her. At least until she would start to talk about her dream as a Hero and then things became more insincere. Izuka knew he worried about her but now that she has a quirk, he wouldn't need too.
Why couldn't she get the chance to share that with him?
To let him know she could protect herself and others thanks to All Might. A heavy sigh was made from across the room as a new weight joined her on the bed. Sniffing she glanced up from the corner of her eye looking at the scowling face of Kacchan.
"Forget him then," he said quietly, his voice not sounding as harsh as usual. Wiping at her face Izuka frowned at what he said. "If he can't take the time for you then he's stupid. He doesn't know what he's missing out on." The last part was said so quietly she almost missed it, believed it to be just in her head. Katsuki wouldn't say something like that. Taking deep breaths Izuka nodded at him.
Whether he said it or not she wanted to believe in what he meant. Her father had been in and out of her life most of her life, but he had always been there, and now it didn't seem like he was even trying.
"OK, I'll try, thanks Kacchan."
子猫
The next day even though she had still not heard from her father her spirits were higher. She had settled on not letting it get to her. Katsuki was right, if he wasn't going to take the time to put in the effort than why should she? Changing into a pair of shorts and her favorite All Might T-shirt Izuka left her room to the sound of banging on her front door.
"Zuka!" her mother called out. "Answer that for me will you!" Grabbing her phone from the dining room table she swiped it open to see if she had gotten any new messages while in the shower.
"Sure mom!" Clicking open one message from Kaminari she hadn't managed to read it before pulling open the door to come face to face with said dark blonde. Not only was she surprised to see Kaminari but Kirishima was there next to him on the other side of the door, both smiling widely.
"Hey Kami! Kirishima. What's up?"
Pushing his way past her Kaminari moved to stand in the entrance way while Kirishima hung back in the hallway.
"Iz-chan!" He threw his arms around her in greeting her with a tight hug before stepping back and leaving his arm around her shoulder. Still holding a confused look on her face Izuka just gave him a blank smile. "We've come to see if you wanted to come to the pool with us?!" A sigh escaped her lips at the mischievous smirk that crossed over his features. Crossing her arms, she searched his face as she remembered something she had been told before school let out.
"Didn't the girls get permission to use the pool?" she asked her head tilting to the side. "You wanting to go wouldn't have anything to do with that now would it?"
Kaminari recoiled his arm from around her shoulder, a look of fake hurt crossing his face. "That hurts me, Iz-chan. How can you accuse me of such a thing?" He grabbed at his heart dramatically only causing her to shake her head. Propping up against the doorway she watched as Kirishima smiled widely, and Kaminari simply watched her with a patient look on his face. Curious about why they wanted her to go with them, she tilted her head to the side.
"Why do you guys want me to go with you?" she asked, her gaze falling on Kirishima. "I understand his reasoning, but I know yours isn't the same." Kirishima shrugged, but his smile had grown wider as she asked her question. Raising her eyebrow, she waited for him to speak. Finally, relenting Kirishima shoved his hands into his pocket, his eyes sparkling.
"Bakugo turned me down on coming to the pool, and I know if you were to show up and he found out, well he'd show up," the red head said. Izuka's eyes grew wide as a blush dusted her cheeks.
"He would n-not," she stuttered out feeling flustered. "If he doesn't wanna go, he wouldn't decide to just because of me." Kirishima raised an eyebrow in disbelief as he shook his head. The smile was almost blinding toward her.
"It's cute that you're in denial," he said causing the girl to blush harder. "Bakugo might like to seem like he doesn't care but I understand him." Kaminari upon listening to them talk had begun to frown.
"Why would that hot head come for Izuka?" he said indignantly. "He's such a grouch all the time around her. It doesn't make sense why he's decided to start hanging around her." Kirishima sweat dropped bringing his hand up to rub that back of his head he stared at the blonde in disbelief.
"Aw, you don't pay much attention do you Denki?" Feeling outraged at his friend they began to bicker about what Kaminari was and was not. Starting to feel overwhelmed and having no luck at cooling her cheeks Izuka jumped into the conversation.
"I'll go alright!" she said hurriedly causing the two to stop talking. "Just let me go tell my mom and change right quick. You can wait for me in the living room." Stepping aside she let Kirishima in as Kaminari already made his way toward the couch. Turning to go find her mother she came to a stop as Inko came bustling in carrying a basket full of laundry. The older woman smiled as her eyes fell onto Kaminari.
"Oh, Denki dear, your back!" she said excitedly. "It's so good to see you again." Noticing the other boy in the room she sent him a pleasant smile full of warmth. "Who is this, Zuka darling? Another friend?" Stepping to the side so her mother could see him better she motioned over to the new boy.
"This is my classmate, Kirishima Eijiro," she introduced. "Kami and Kirishima invited me to go to the schools pool with them. Some of our other classmates should be there as well." Smiling happily Inko readjusted the basket as she began to slowly make her way toward the bedrooms.
"That sounds like a great idea, dear," she said in agreement. "Just be back before dinner tonight and make sure someone walks with you. It was nice to meet you Kirishima." Her mother felt happy that she was starting to do things again, but still wanted to be careful. Kirishima smiled as he waved at her mom and returned the sentiment. Then he turned to Izuka with a curious look in his eyes.
"Why does she want someone to walk with you?" He was curious to see if his own reasoning's were legitimate. Izuka sighed as her eyes fell to the floor. She hated feeling like she couldn't be alone but understood completely why it wasn't a good idea There wasn't a lot of people that were totally aware of Shigaraki and his obsession with her, let alone the new countermeasures for her.
"It has to do with what happened at the mall," she said calmly. "It's been decided that it would be better if I wasn't alone for long periods of time for right now." He nodded as he took a seat onto the couch.
"Makes sense," he said. "Well it wouldn't be very manly of me if I didn't walk you home after dragging you out!" Kaminari threw a pillow at him from the opposite end of the couch.
"I had already planned on doing that!" he said. "She's my best friend!"
As the two began to bicker once more Izuka slipped away back towards her room. Quickly searching through her closet for her swimsuit she realized she did not have the school's swimsuit. Rechecking once more she sighed heavily as she searched through her dirty clothes, finding it at the very bottom. It had never been cleaned after its last use. Feeling irritated at having to wear a different one she moved back to her closet. She had two others, one a two piece, and another one piece. Knowing that she would be around her classmates she opted for the green and black one piece.
Slipping it on she grabbed a pair of shorts and threw back on her All Might T-shirt. Snatching up a small bag she began to fill it with her wallet, keys, purse, and a few other odd and ends for the pool. Feeling satisfied with the thought that she had everything Izuka headed back toward the living room. As she stepped into the room Kirishima's camera went off capturing a confused looking Izuka in its lens.
"What are you doing?" she asked with a frown. Lightly pushing himself up to his feet he smiled widely at her.
"Nothing bad I promise," he said, his sharp teeth glinting happily at her as he began to walk away. Kaminari shrugged as Izuka sent him a confused look.
"I have no idea," he said. "It can't be bad, it's Kirishima. Let's get going!" Catching up to the red head she bumped shoulders with him.
"Seriously what's up?" Tapping her nose, the infuriating boy laughed.
"Nothing bad, seriously. I'm just sending it to someone to prove you're going." Her eyes widened as she shoved at her classmate. There could only be one person that the red head would be texting, Bakugo would never admit it out loud but he and Kirishima were quite good friends.
"Ugh, don't do that," she said. "You shouldn't force Kacchan to go." His smile only grew toothier at her unknown admittance to the fact that Bakugo would indeed show up if she were there.
"It's healthy for him to interact with people," he said. "He says no quite often, this time he can't."
"Really, Kirishima, don't." Izuka begged but he just waved he off.
"Too late," he laughed as a beep from his phone sounded that he had a new message. "Speak of the devil." Smirking he began to read the message as his smile only grew wider. After a few moments of him replying and then putting back his phone, Izuka began to grow frustrated with the lack of being told anything. She figured he would have instantly begun to talk about what Bakugo had said, not stay silent.
"Well," she finally asked giving in. "What did he say?" Shrugging the boy kept walking pretending to not notice when Izuka froze mid step. "What does that mean!? You aren't going to tell me?"
"Naw, I'll just let you figure it out when he shows up or not," he said deviously. Kaminari patted her back as she started walking once more. A confused look on her face as she followed the boys.
子猫
Upon first arriving and not seeing Kacchan, Izuka felt disappointed at the fact that he hadn't arrived. She was sure if he were going to come, he would have beat them here. Kirishima had wanted to swing by to pick up Mina before heading to the school adding on thirty extra minutes to their trip. Especially when she found that most of their class had already arrived. Slumped forward she let the disappointment wash over her before moving to follow the rest of the girls to the changing rooms. They all talked light heartedly, excited about getting permission to use it. Secretly Izuka thought the girls had gotten the better deal by asking to just use the pool while the boys had said it was for endurance training. Which made sense how Kaminari was able to talk Aizawa-sensei into saying yes.
Neither option mattered to the greenette as she knew she would have fun no matter what. It was disappointing about Katsuki not showing up, but she was determined not to let that affect her mood.
"Your swimsuit is cute, Izuka," Momo said with a smile as she walked over to her friend. The taller girl was in the UA standard swimsuit herself, but Izuka hadn't ended up being the only one to wear her own. Mina and Jirou both had their own on and were being gushed over as well.
"Thank you," Midoriya said slightly self-conscious. Her left arm crossed over her stomach as she held onto her right arm with her hand. "My school swimsuit was dirty, so I didn't really have a choice to wear anything else. Kaminari kind of invited me at the last minute." Momo nodded her eyes turning calculative.
"I'm surprised that it was Kaminari that invited you," she said with a slight downward turn to her lips. "I thought Bakugo would have been the one to do it. I just figured he would be here after he asked me for help." Izuka cocked her head to the side in curiosity. Partly because she was unsure why everyone seemed to think she couldn't go somewhere without Kacchan, and the other being what the boy could have possibly needed help with. Bakugo was not one to ask for help on anything and her desire to know what it was, engulfed her.
"What did he need help with?" Izuka asked trying not to sound too interested. Momo blinked upon realizing what she said. A nervous expression fluttered across her face as she began to bite at her nails.
"Oh, nothing really," she said. "Something to do with school. He had a question about schoolwork he wasn't getting." The elegant girls face was pinched as she searched Izuka's face for any doubt. Izuka was also studying Momo and could tell that she wasn't telling the truth. It bothered her that her friend couldn't tell her the truth, but it also didn't make any sense. Why would she need to hide anything unless it was a secret? Perhaps Bakugo didn't want anyone to know. That wasn't exactly out of the question, but it caused her stomach to twist uncomfortably.
"Oh, I see," Izuka said trying not to let her anxiety show. Before Momo could open her mouth to talk more Mina had loudly declared it was time to start having fun. Ochaco's arm had latched onto Izuka's in the next instant and anything that could have been said was silenced.
Trying to shove the uncertainties and the undeniable feeling of jealousy from her mind Izuka focused on the pool that was rapidly approaching her. Logically she knew there wouldn't be anything to be jealous about. Momo had a soulmate and even though it seemed to not be going well Izuka knew she was entirely devoted toward the guy. She didn't have much more opportunity to keep thinking about the subject before Ochaco had jumped, pulling the green-haired girl with her. Ice cold water hit her skin causing her brain to freeze as only one thought circulated throughout her mind. She began to shake as she held her breath underwater. Pushing against the concrete at the bottom of the pool she shot through the water toward the surface.
"It's cold!" called out Ochaco with a laugh.
Wiping away the water from her eyes she glared playfully at the brunette. "I wasn't ready!" she yelped.
"Jumping right in is the best way to do it!" Deciding to just get use to the temperature of the water she simply treaded water. After a few moments of being under the sun and her skin finally adjusting Izuka began to feel better. Closing her eyes, she drank in the feeling of the sun washing over her skin as the cool water kept her from overheating. It was nice, she felt entirely peaceful listening in on her friends exclaiming loudly around her. Somewhere close to her she could hear the boys greet a new member arriving but hadn't caught the name.
The girls closest to her erased the name with their shrieking and splashing of water. It didn't bother her. This was the most peaceful she felt since the mall. For once she wasn't worried over a crazy psychopath trying to grab her or the silence she received from her father. In this moment she was just existing as a normal teenage girl with no worry, just fun. It was refreshing.
At least it was until she felt movement from the water around her. Not bothering to open her eyes as she figured it was one of the girls, she continued to just float there enjoying the moment. A pressure wrapped around her arm startling her eyes open as her head went under water. Taking in a breath without meaning too bubbles went everywhere as her lungs screamed. The pressure on her arm tightened as it pulled her back to the surface.
"What the hell, Koneko," a voice called out gruffly as she gasped for air. "Are you trying to drown yourself?" Blinking rapidly her emerald eyes focused onto the face of Katsuki. A frown crossed her face even though her heart rapidly sped up at the sight of him, a small blush peppered her cheeks as she sank deeper into the water until her nose was barely skimming the surface. Bakugo continued to stare at her with an odd look on his face. Forcing the blush away she pulled herself together and back swimming like normal.
"Of course not," she said with a huff. "You just startled me." A small smile snuck its way onto her face as she realized he had come. His own stayed in a frown as he simply just watched her.
"Why didn't you tell me you were coming here?" he asked after a few moments of silence. "I thought we agreed I'd stick by your side right now." Izuka's eyes widened as she realized he meant it even after school term let out. She swam backwards until her back hit the cement of the pool. Leaning up against it she gripped the ledge with one hand, Bakugo followed her slowly his eyes never leaving her form.
"I guess I just didn't realize you still wanted to go everywhere with me," she said quietly as she realized she had doubted him again. "Then Kirishima mentioned how you didn't want to go and I didn't want to make you. I had the two of them and they agreed to walk me home afterwards." The boys crimson eyes narrowed as he swam forward crowding her personal space.
Izuka's breath began to come out in short bursts at how close he was getting. Her eyes bounced around to everyone around them, but no one seemed to be paying them any attention. They were tucked away into their own corner away from everyone else. With the same speed as before Izuka watched as Katsuki reached out towards her face. His own expression read caution and hints of unsureness. His fingers barely grazed her cheek forming a path of fire over her skin. Her eyes closed as she felt him move toward her jaw. Instinct moved her into his touch as butterflies erupted in her stomach. Feeling her move his fingers spasmed as he realized what he had just done. Disappointment drove away the butterflies as his hand fell from her face and back into the water.
"I would have gone if you asked," he said sternly as she opened her eyes to look at him. His face had fell blank as his eyes burned as brightly as ever. "I told you I was going to watch over you."
"I just didn't want to force you when you clearly didn't want to go," she said stubbornly. "I can take care of myself." His eyes burned into her face clearly not liking what she had just said. She shrank back into the cement feeling his stare dig at her skin.
"Where you go, I go from now on," he spat out. "That fucker is still out there and until he's put away, I want to make sure your safe." Forcing himself to stay calm and not start shouting in front of everyone Bakugo moved back away from her putting space between them. The water seemed to grow colder the farther he moved, his words were like a slap to her face as well as a cool caress. She was split between feeling like he cared and frustrated with the fact that he didn't trust her to keep herself safe.
"So, you're going to spend the rest of your potential life following me around wherever I go?" she whispered at him conscious of not wanting to let anyone else here. The frustration leaked out of her voice without her knowledge. "What if he's never caught?" She bit her lip refusing to let any other words out.
"Then you'll just have to get use to telling me when you go places," he said gruffly. He scowled wishing she would stop questioning him. Glancing away Izuka gazed down at the water as she pulled the courage out of nowhere to ask her next question.
"Are you going to stop wanting to hang around me if he stops being a problem?" Her eyes flickered up to catch his reaction. Freezing, Bakugo's eyes widened as his mouth closed from sprouting off his normal harsh reply. Huffing his face turned upwards toward the sun as his eyes closed, a light blush creeping over his cheeks.
"I haven't been lucky enough to lose my shadow yet, now have I?" He raised his hand, the water droplets running down his arm as he wiped it across his face. The cool water helping to cool his face. Hope erupted inside her chest causing a happy feeling to grow, Izuka slightly moved toward him, her mouth opening to speak when there was a shout.
"Midoriya!" called out Kaminari. "We're going to have a competition! You in?"
"Yeah, Bakubro, let's go!" yelled Kirishima.
Feeling like she was coming out of a dream her ears rung as she slowly turned to look toward her friend. Bakugo had already left her side, swimming over toward the red-head completely ready to go up against his classmates. Her arms felt sluggish as she forced herself to move at a steady speed across the swimming pool. Anytime it was just Katsuki and herself talking she felt like everything else evaporated away leaving only them.
When she came to the end of the pool Kaminari's hand wrapped around her arm to help pull her up.
"Who's all participating?" she asked curiously as she was hauled up out of the water. "But I'm in!" Her spirits lifted to high levels at the thought of doing something fun.
"Pretty much everyone," Kaminari said. "Momo decided to be the one to start the races and declare the winner. A couple others opted out too." Izuka nodded feeling pumped to participate in a friendly competition with everyone.
After a short discussion of how the groups would be made, and how they would decide a winner, they were separated. In the end the first three groups were made up of the males participating, while the last group, of which she was a part of, were all females. The winner from each group would go up against each other in the final round, declaring the one true winner of their little competition. She was jumping up and down in place at the mere thought of it.
On the opposite end of the pool as everyone else was Momo. Izuka ignored the weird feeling that she got when looking at the girl, knowing it was stupid, as she watched her create a whistle. Instead she focused her attention on her classmates that had stepped onto the platforms. The first round consisted of Mineta, Tokoyami, Kouda, Bakugo, and Kaminari. Following Todoroki, she began to move off to the side of the pool, out of the way of those participating. Here she had the perfect viewing spot to cheer the others on.
Beside her Todoroki crossed his arms, and though his face was impassive, she could see his eyes shine.
"I'm surprised you came," Izuka said with a small smile. Their friendship had come a long way since they first met one another. He was one of the few that knew about the nightmares and Shigaraki. They never hung out after school like Kaminari and herself did, but they were still close in their own way.
"It sounded like it could have potential," he said with a shrug. "Someone mentioned it would be a good endurance test." Izuka nodded but her eyes were watching his face before slowly moving toward where he was looking. Her gaze fell on Momo and her face pinched. Her mind whirling as she tried to figure out why he would be watching her.
"Is that all?" she asked. Blinking Todoroki wrenched his gaze from Momo to look at the smaller girl in confusion.
"Would there be another reason?" he asked in genuine confusion.
Shrugging Izuka let it drop as Momo's whistle pierced the air, announcing the beginning of the race. All the boys dove into the pool, except for one of them. She watched Bakugo shoot through the air using his quirk, not once touching the water. She sweat dropped at the scene and listened while Kirishima and Kaminari complained about his methods, but Izuka saw nothing wrong with it. They had all agreed that using their quirks would be allowed. Honestly, she didn't know why they thought this wouldn't happen.
The second group lined up and Izuka wondered who the winner of this round would be. It consisted of Sero, Aoyama, Todoroki, and Kirishima. She was getting excited knowing that next round was her turn. Izuka would be going up against Ochaco, Jiro, Hagakure, and Mina. Tsuyu had decided to keep from racing as her quirk gave her an unfair advantage in the water.
Izu had no idea how it would go down. She began to bounce in place in anticipation. Her eyes were glued to the race though as she did it.
A sharp squeak split the air. Immediately everyone dived forward. Kirishima shot through the water, as Aoyama and Sero flew through the air. On the far side Todoroki hardened the water as he slid across. Within seconds Todoroki jumped up from the ice and was crowned as the winner of that round. This caused another round of moaning from Kirishima and Kaminari, and a small giggle to escape from the green-haired girl. This caused Kaminari to turn around and pout at her.
Izuka jumped up and down as she cheered, "Way to go, Totoro!" This caused many of her classmates to stare at her in surprise. She immediately regretted saying it when she realized what she had just done and saw the blush that covered Todoroki's face for calling him the nickname she had come up with. Neither of them really interacted with each other around everyone else and she defiantly never called him that around others. Making it worse she caught out of the corner of her eyes a certain ash blonde growing angry. His face had begun to turn red at the mere thought of Izuka and that half-and-half bastard being close enough to refer to each other with nicknames. She stared determinedly ahead, not wanting to come face to face with Bakugo right now.
Momo used her whistle to gain everyone's attention back on herself.
"Alright!" she announced as she ignored the sting in her chest. The thought of Izuka being closer to her soulmate than she was caused her pain. "Next group get into your position!"
Letting out a sigh Izuka felt relieved that she was no longer the center of attention. Making her way forward she was stopped by Kaminari grabbing her shoulder, turning her around so she faced him, and sending a pout at her.
"You'll at least swim the normal way won't you Iz-chan!" Kaminari cried out. Izuka shook her head fondly at him as she began to walk toward her starting point.
"Well with my quirk sure I will," she said with a laugh. "I haven't quite gotten speedy enough to throw myself in the air like Kacchan." She gave him a cheeky smile as he continued to pout at her muttering to himself about flashy quirks. "Yours is pretty flashy too Kami, except you'd fry everyone within the pool if you had used yours." Kaminari gave a sigh but nodded in understanding that her words held the truth before turning back into his sun shiny self.
"Kick their butt, Iz-chan!"
A smile was etched across her face as she took her place on either side of Mina, and Ochaco. Hagakure and Jiro were on Ochaco's other side finishing their small party. Ochaco turned just enough to send Izuka a challenging smile, one of which the green-haired girl returned good naturedly. Stretching her muscles Izuka was ready when the whistle announced the start of the race. Her muscles twitched into action and within a second, she was crashing into the water. Not bothering to activate her quirk she focused on ignoring the slight chill that hit her body. Around her no one else had used their quirks, none of them having a real advantage to use them.
Without meaning to her thoughts drifted back to when Toshi had trained her on the beach. The memory of flowing through the water then made this feel extremely easy. Here no waves crashed against her trying to drag her under. Gliding through the water she easily overtook the other girls as her hand slapped against the cement at the end.
"And Izuka is the winner!" Momo declared.
The class cheered, Kaminari being the loudest, as his pride shown for his best friend. Once the last girl was out of the water, the next group was asked to step forward. The final four to step up were Iida, Ojiro, Satou, and Shouji. She watched as they all darted forward diving into the water, beside Iida who glided across the rope connecting each end to one another. He made his path without fail as he stepped up onto the concrete.
Running forward Izuka playfully punched Iida in the shoulder. "You were great out there Iida!"
"You did well yourself, Midoriya," Iida said with a small smile. "Especially since you didn't use your quirk."
Glancing over in thought at his two classmates he was quick to notice Izuka and Iida send him back the same look. All they had gone through together the three of them had come far from what they use to be. Between the sports festival, and the incident with the Hero Killer, all three of them knew the road to becoming the type of Heroes they wished to become was going to be a long and hard journey but they looked forward to it.
"It's time for the final race!" announced Momo in an excited voice. "Bakugo, Todoroki, and Iida as winners from your groups you'll all be competing for first place!" There was a small silence before Bakugo broke it. His sharp voice cutting through the air toward the girl.
"It seems you forgot someone rich girl," he yelled.
Momo looked confused as she answered, "Who?"
"Koneko, you seem to have forgotten she won her race as well." His voice was raising as his anger grew hotter.
Izuka looked embarrassed once more as she tried hiding her face behind her hair. Another part of her was amazed at the fact that Bakugo had spoken up on her behalf. It was a bit surprising to her, but she was learning that the new Bakugo who tried did things like this. Jumping when a pair of hands clamped down on her shoulder she relaxed when she realized it was her electric best friend Kami.
"That would totally be unfair!" Kaminari said in astonishment. Bakugo shot a harsh glare his way.
"Unfair how?" Bakugo sneered. "You're not trying to say it's because she's a girl, and weaker than men? That's not what your saying, surely."
"Wha- no, of course not!" Kaminari stuttered as he glanced between Bakugo and Izuka. His face fell as he frowned and sent Midoriya a sorry smile. "I just worry about her."
"That's exactly what you meant!" hissed Bakugo. "Listen very well sparky, it doesn't matter that she's a girl, we are all trying to become top heroes, regardless of gender. Eventually we will come across villains who won't give two shits about whether she's a girl or not." Kami's hands on her shoulders spasmed. Reaching back Izuka calmly patted them trying to send a sense of peace to him.
"So instead of complaining like a baby just sit back and watch," Bakugo demanded.
"He's right," Todoroki said having stepped forward.
"He speaks the truth," Iida said while pushing his glasses back up the bridge of his nose.
Bakugo stalked forward coming to a stop in front of Midoriya. He reached forward slapping Kaminari's hands from her shoulders.
"Are you in, Koneko?" he bit out. He was always so intense but Izuka didn't cower away. Instead she bumped her fist into the air, an excited look covering her features.
"Of course!" she yelled. "I'm in!" Hearing no one else against the idea the four finalists moved toward the platforms. Izuka let out even breaths as she prepared her muscles for her quirk. This time she knew she would need it. Going up against some of the best in her class she would need every advantage she had. Turning to her left she made eye contact with Todoroki. It was clear they were both thinking along the same lines. Neither would lose.
There was a blast off to her right coming from Bakugo.
"Good luck, everyone," Iida said as he snapped on his swimming goggles.
"Yes, Good luck!" Izuka said happily. Todoroki simply nodded in agreement.
"Listen up scar face," Bakugo yelled out. Izuka turned to her right in curiosity. "Don't you dare hold back, bring everything you've got!"
"Yes, of course," Todoroki said evenly. Crimson eyes turned slowly toward her. They glinted with an emotion that faded to fast for her to catch.
"You as well, Koneko. Fight to win."
"I promise I will, Kacchan!" Izuka said with determination. She planned on winning and giving it everything she had. Around them everyone erupted into cheers. The girls screamed for Izuka the loudest, but she could also hear Kaminari hollering out. Her heart warmed at the words as she stared determinedly forward.
"The final race is about to begin!"
Her shoulders rolled and the next instant her muscles tensed as the whistle blew through the air. Arching forward she shot into the air. In the same moment green lit up as her quirk activated. Around her the others had done the same each of them moving to try to win.
Izuka didn't expect when she felt her quirk disappear leaving her completely helpless. She felt as it slid from her body and the graceful arc through the air turned to her flailing her arms as she crashed into the water. Around her she could hear as each person splashed into the water. Breaking through the water she was gasping for air having not expected to fall so quickly and ungracefully. Spluttering she spit out water as a look of astonishment covered her features. Close to her she felt as Bakugo brushed up against her as he came up from air soon after.
A dark scowl was covering his features as he began to search the area with a murderous look on his face. "What the fuck!?" he yelled out in outrage.
"What happened?!" asked Kaminari.
"Why didn't they use their quirks?" Sero asked in confusion.
"It's 5 P.M!" came a collected voice.
Everyone turned their attention toward where their sensei had arrived seemingly out of thin air. "Your authorized pool time is officially over," he stated evenly. "Hurry up and go home."
"One more second!" Kaminari yelled out. "It was just getting to the good part!"
Aizawa pinned his students with a fierce glare, his red eyes causing it to be even more intimidating. "Are you questioning me?"
"Not at all Aizawa-sensei!" they all hollered out. Fear brightly shone in each of their voices. Izuka pouted as she began to swim toward the edge. Her hands reach up to grab a hold of the edge when a helping hand lowers into her vision. Startled she glances up and see's Todoroki. Grabbing a hold of it gratefully she felt him begin to pull her up into the air. She was surprised that he did it with such ease. She was tiny and slim in stature, but she had muscle. It defined her body quite nicely, but she still thought he should have showed more effort.
From the corner of her eyes she saw as Bakugo glared toward them before stalking away in the direction of Momo. A frown slid onto her face, one that Todoroki reflected. They both watched as the two talked quietly among themselves. Worry from before began to trickle back inside of her.
"What is that about?" Izuka asked quietly. Todoroki simply stared for a moment longer before glancing down at the smaller girl.
"I don't not know," he said before turning around. Izuka tore her gaze away from Bakugo to watch Todoroki leave. With a sigh and a bunch of questions swimming around inside of her head the green-haired girl walked toward the changing room. She quickly peeled off her swimsuit and changed back into her normal clothes from before. Throwing the wet suit into the bag she brought her Izuka ducked her head as she escaped the changing room. Trying to keep her thoughts from taking over she headed for the entrance of the school.
There she found two figures leaning against one wall. One familiar red-head, and blonde both talking to each other happily. Kaminari was the first to notice her as he hollered out and waved his hand. She gave a small smile having forgot they promised to walk her home. As she opened her mouth to speak footsteps sounded behind her. A shoulder bumped her own as a grunt sounded next to her ear.
"Are you coming, Koneko?" Bakugo asked gruffly as he glanced at her out of the corner of his eye.
"Hey!" Kaminari yelled out. "We're suppose to walk her home!"
"Fuck off," Bakugo said. "I've got her." He reached out grabbing at her hand as he tugged her along. A heat rose over her cheeks at the action as she stumbled forward, being caught off guard. Kirishima simply shrugged, use to his friend's behavior, as he began to follow peacefully behind the two. Kaminari shocked stood back for a moment longer before regaining his baring's. With a yell he darted forward catching up to them, complaining about the injustice of it all.
Still feeling embarrassed by Bakugo not having let go of her hand yet she couldn't seem to get rid of the blush on her cheeks. Biting at her lip her eyes darted down toward their conjoined hands before moving back toward his face. As usual it was set in anger that sparked his features, making them sharp and more defined. She couldn't help but find him attractive in that moment. The thought ripping through her subconscious violently as her fingers spasmed in her hand.
Shaking her head trying to clear her thoughts she didn't notice the look of confusion on Bakugo. The spasming of her fingers brought his attention back onto the fact that he was still holding her hand. Automatically he went to snatch his hand from her own when they ran across Todoroki. They had met up at the same metro station.
His fingers tightened around her own and with a growl he tugged her away from the fire and ice user. Izuka sent him a friendly wave before she was pulled away. The two boys behind them followed as they quietly talked among each other. Both easily ignored the awkward tension surrounding Bakugo and Izuka.
Her heartbeat stayed at a racing pace as her eyes kept falling to their intertwined fingers. It drove away her questions about Momo, and instead she simply got lost in her racing thoughts of embarrassment and peace.
A feeling of being whole had overtaken her entire being and she found herself wishing that this moment would last forever. No longer was she stuck on thoughts about her father, or Shigaraki.
As she listened to Bakugo get dragged into the bickering between Kirishima and Kaminari a small smile lit up her lips. Gently squeezing his hand her heart almost soared when he absentmindedly squeezed back.
In this moment all was well.