Welcome back to this week's Friday update. This chapter we just get to explore more of the budding friendship so I hope you all enjoy.
Kyoka checked the bag that she carried. It had a bottle of an energy drink, snacks, and Kyoka put in a few movies to watch. Right now she was heading over to Izuku's apartment. She was surprised to hear that Izuku came down with a cold last Friday. He said was feeling better today but would stay home and rest. With nothing better to do and knowing that Izuku would probably do the same for her; Kyoka gathered some of the things she likes when she's sick and headed over to his apartment.
Stepping off the train, Kyoka made a beeline to Izuku's apartment. As she was walking she noticed a pink-haired girl was just down the street from her, the girl probably took the same train as her. But the pink hair wasn't what caught Kyoka's attention, well it did, but it was something else. The girl looked familiar. It took until the girl turned her head to look at a shop's window that she realized why she was familiar. She was Izuku's only other friend, Mina Ashido. Izuku's drawing was apparently super accurate.
Unsure what to do with this new realization, Kyoka continued to hang back for a few moments until she noticed Mina stop at the stairs to an apartment complex. Kyoka realized that Mina was staring at her with narrowed eyes. After a moment of hesitation, Kyoka walked up to Mina.
"Hello, I'm Kyoka Jiro. You're Mina Ashido, right? A friend of Izuku's?" Kyoka said, holding out her hand.
"Ah-ha! Now I know why you look familiar," Mina said instantly switching to her more bubbly self. "I take it you saw my drawing in Midori-kun's book or something?"
"Yes, er, did he show you a drawing he did of me?" Kyoka asked, blushing.
"He did, well it was more of a sketch at the time but Midori-kun really does a good job, huh?" Mina said, laughing a little.
"He does indeed," Kyoka smiled before she glanced down to the bag in Mina's hand. "I take it you're here to try to cheer the green bean up?"
"Pff, green bean," Mina said trying to suppress her laughter. When she calmed down she nodded her head. "Yup, said he's recovering from a cold so I thought we'd watch movies or something."
Kyoka raised an eyebrow, "Funny that was my plan too."
"Great minds think alike!" Mina said tossing an arm around Kyoka's shoulder. "I'm sure it'll make Midori-kun's day seeing us show up together."
Kyoka sighed but allowed herself to be guided by an excited Mina. As they stood in front of the Midoriya apartment door both girls hesitated. They looked towards each other unsure who should knock.
The choice was taken away from them when a plump middle-aged woman with dark green hair opened the door. They stared at each other in surprise before the woman smiled at them with tears in her eyes.
"You are Izu-chan's friends, right? Did you come to take care of him while he's sick?"
"Erm yes, that's why we're here. I'm Mina Ashido, and this is Kyoka Jiro," Mina said gesturing to Kyoka.
"I'm Inko Midoriya, dears. Please just call me oba-san. I have to head off to work so I'm leaving Izu-chan in your hands." Inko had tears running down her face at this point causing the girls to try to hand her packets of tissues. "I'm so glad Izu-chan has such good friends that will come to take care of him."
Inko quickly dried her tears before checking her watching. Her eyes widened seeing the time and she disappeared in a cloud of dust.
"Well, that happened," Kyoka said coughing a little.
"I don't even know what to say," Mina replied after coughing as well.
The two exchanged looks before they entered the apartment. As they entered the kitchen they realized everything was very neat and tidy. They continued onto the living room, they saw a few pictures of Izuku and Inko along the wall. One thing the two noticed was that Izuku's dad never showed up in any of the pictures. Most of them were just Izuku and Inko, a few with a mom and son that had matching spiky blonde hair but never with anyone else.
"Let's move on, yeah?" Mina said tearing her eyes away from the pictures.
Kyoka hummed her agreement as she briefly closed her eyes. She knew Izuku didn't have many friends, he admitted that much, but she didn't realize that his friend circle was probably only her and Mina. People he only met recently. Deciding that now was not the time for such thoughts, Kyoka marched silently down the hallway stopping in front of the door with Izuku's name on it.
Mina and Kyoka shared an amused look at the All Might themed sign. Without any hesitation this time, Mina reached forward and knocked on the door. Hearing a faint 'come in', Mina opened the door wide.
"Fear not, for I am here," Mina said trying her best impression of All Might.
Izuku's head snapped up from his notebook. His eyes widened before he snapped his book shut and threw it at the wall. Kyoka poked her head over Mina's shoulder seeing Izuku's eyes further bug out.
"Wh-wh-wh-what a-a-are y-y-you t-t-two d-d-doing h-h-here?" Izuku said turning red.
"We came to check in on you, green bean," Kyoka said with an eye roll. "Brought some energy drinks, snacks, and movies."
"We ended up having the same idea," Mina said once more putting an arm around Kyoka as she held up her own bag.
"A-a-ah, y-you b-both s-shouldn't h-have. I-I d-don't w-want t-to g-g-get y-you s-sick," Izuku said tearing up slightly.
"Dude, please don't start crying on us. Your mother already did," Kyoka said with a deadpan expression.
"Ah y-you m-met m-mom? I-I'm s-sorry, b-being teary s-seems to be hereditary," Izuku said taking deep breaths.
"Don't sweat it Midori-kun. So, are you up for a movie binge?" Mina said before looking around the room.
Kyoka also glanced around and wasn't surprised by all of the All Might merch. It was a fan boy's room for sure. Mina shared an eye roll and an amused smile with Kyoka.
Once Izuku calmed down from his surprise visit, he quickly stashed the notebook he had thrown earlier. Kyoka and Mina tried to peek a few times but Izuku kept it's contents hidden. The trio moved to the living room and began watching a pre-quirk area movie that Izuku suggested, Howl's Moving Castle. Kyoka had never seen the movie before but she found herself quickly enamored by the masterfully composed music and the beautiful scenic backgrounds. Everything was perfectly detailed, the close-up of the moving castle made it feel almost real.
Kyoka's eyes were glued to the screen. She never noticed that Mina's eyes were as well nor did she notice Izuku having a wistful smile as he looked between Mina and Kyoka.
They continued to watch the movie, crying tears at the emotionally sad scenes, laughter from the amusing moments, and awes from heartwarming ones. Though Kyoka will forever deny that she was awed by seeing Sophie and Howl kiss as they stood on their flying home.
"I was not emotionally prepared for that Midori-kun. That was a whirlwind of emotions I was not ready for at all," Mina said wiping away her tears.
"Agreed, that was a really good movie. Not even just the story, but the art and the music were amazing too. This was a masterpiece," Kyoka said practically beaming.
"If we want to, I got some other movies made by the same studio and director. I can say with certainty that all of them are just as amazing," Izuku said, holding up several other cases. "Though I do want to see what movies you two brought with you."
"Ooh, I brought Alien!" Mina said holding up one of the movies she brought.
Kyoka crinkled her nose.
"Isn't that a horror film?" Kyoka asked as her headphone jacks seemed poised to strike.
"Yup!" Mina said bouncing from her spot on the couch.
Izuku tilted his head before nodding.
"I haven't seen the movie before. I-I'm up for it if you are, Jiro-san," Izuku said looking towards Kyoka.
Kyoka blushed a little as her earphone jacks coiled around uncontrollably.
"I'm not very good with horror films but I'm not against it. Just don't hold it against me," Kyoka said softly.
"We don't have to watch it if you're uncomfortable, Jiro-san," Izuku said softly.
Kyoka smiled still blushing a little.
"It's not that I don't like them, it's just, I get a little clingy during such films."
Mina grin widened a little at the confession but said nothing. The mischievous shine in her eyes made Kyoka nervous. Izuku on the other hand was understanding as he just gave a kind smile.
As the movie started to play, everyone was just happily sitting in their spots munching on some snacks. The minute the first scare happened Kyoka was gripping tightly onto Izuku's right arm. Kyoka was surprised to see Mina holding onto Izuku's left arm. Though she was less surprised at how red Izuku had turned. The movie quickly caught her attention again. With every scare, Kyoka squeezed Izuku's arm. When the movie finally finished Kyoka let out a relieved sigh.
"That was a good movie," Kyoka admitted letting go of Izuku's arm at last.
"Right! When I become a hero my name is going to be Alien Queen," Mina said grinning.
"Ah, cause the alien had acidic blood so you're drawing parallels between that and your otherworldly looks," Izuku said muttering.
"Exactly!" Mina gave Izuku a thumbs up with a grin that sparkled.
"That sounds more like a villain's name rather than a hero's," Kyoka said causing Mina to deflate. Izuku said nothing but nodded his head in agreement causing Mina to crouch and begin drawing circles on the ground as dark clouds hung overhead.
Kyoka clapped breaking the sad atmosphere.
"Alright, how about we change it up with a musical," Kyoka said reaching into her bag.
"Ooh? What musical did you bring?" Mina said leaning over in excitement.
"It's a little childish, but it's an enjoyable movie nonetheless and I wanted to share it with someone," Kyoka said drifting towards a mutter at the end. In her hands was the Muppet Movie.
"Looks like a wonderful movie, let's watch," Izuku said putting the movie in.
As the movie started the 'Rainbow Connection' welcomed them. Kyoka watched as Izuku's eyes softened as the song seemed to resonate with him. Mina always seemed to be drawn into song as well. The somber mood was quickly broken by the appearance of the strange talent scout.
The movie certainly made the trio laugh quite a bit. Mina and Izuku's favorite parts were when Kyoka started to sing along to some of the songs. As the movie finished, the trio heard the apartment door open. Inko walked into the kitchen carrying a bag of groceries.
"Ah, you dears are still here? Would you like some dinner?" Inko asked as she bustled around the kitchen.
"Thank you oba-san, please don't trouble yourself for us," Mina said while Kyoka nodded in agreement.
"Nonsense you two, this will be no trouble at all. Consider this my thank you for caring for Izu-chan," Inko said giving the two girls a kind smile. "Ah, my baby boy is all grown up now."
"Mom," Izuku whined but he wore a fond smile.
The girls eventually agreed to stay for dinner. They sat on the couch discussing what future movies to watch together. Kyoka knew that she had been smiling nonstop for a while now. She couldn't help herself though. She never imagined having friends she could share something childish like The Muppet Movie with and not get teased about it. But both never said a word about that and only talked about what other muppet movies existed and when to watch them. Kyoka knew she found some true friends in Izuku and Mina that day, and hopefully, they felt the same way.
Woo movie binge. I tried to pick out movies that kind of match each character. I felt like Izuku would enjoy something like Howl's Moving Castle. Mina of course would want to share Aliens. And Kyoka was harder to decide, and eventually settled on a movie I thought she probably enjoyed and would have trusted Izuku to watch with. Mina being there was unexpected but I guess a good step in their friendship.
So yeah, let me know what you think and if you enjoyed the story so far.