First, I'm sorry that it took so long to update. I thought by having pre-written chapters I would avoid the whole going silent for a weeks time. But I was wrong, been either really busy on Fridays or so tired I don't want to do anything that I keep forgetting to update. I'll probably move my update day to Monday since I'm far more rested then. So for now, I hope you enjoy the chapter!
Turning on a radio, soft music filled the kitchen as Izuku went about cooking dinner. Inko was taking a night shift at the hospital leaving Izuku by himself. It wasn't anything new. Quiet moments like this was something Izuku found peace in. The faint ping from his phone brought Izuku back to reality. A smile appeared when Izuku saw the notification coming from the group chat Mina and Kyoka set up last weekend after their movie marathon.
Opening up the group chat, Izuku saw the message was from Mina.
Alien Queen: Midori-kun! Are you good at math? I need some help! Like serious help!
Green Bean: I am decent at math. I will try to help the best I can.
Alien Queen: You're a lifesaver Midori-kun.
Punk Rocker: Yo, think I could get in on this? I wouldn't mind some extra help myself.
Alien Queen: The more the merrier! Right, Midori-kun?
Green Bean: Yeah, you're more than welcome to join as well. I'm assuming that this is happening tonight and we're using my apartment, yeah?
Alien Queen: If that is okay with you and oba-san
Green Bean: Mom is going to be out due to taking the night shift. I just let her know you both be stopping by.
Izuku smiled when he got a smiley face and a thumbs up from Mina and a sunglass face from Kyoka. Finishing up the curry that he was cooking, Izuku sent a quick text to his mom before putting a video on his phone to watch as he ate.
As Izuku was washing the dishes a knock sounded from the door.
"One moment," Izuku called out as he dried his hands. He opened the door revealing Mina and Kyoka in their casual clothes and their book bags bulging. "That looks like more than just math." Izuku had a deadpan face as he looked up at the girls.
Mina was scratching the back of her head while Kyoka blushed a little.
"I figured I might as well pick your brains with some of the other subjects I had questions about," Kyoka admitted as she began to take off her shoes.
Mina wrapped an arm around Kyoka's shoulder.
"Great minds think alike!" Mina said causing Kyoka to roll her eyes and smile. "Also Midori-kun, you rock that apron."
Izuku glanced down at the yellow frilly apron that he wore. He blushed slightly as he began to take it off.
"Th-th-this is m-my m-mom's," Izuku said hanging the apron on a rack. "I-I cooked d-dinner. Forgot I was still wearing it."
"You can cook?" Kyoka asked as she sniffed the air.
"I think I'm passably good. Enough where I won't starve."
Kyoka scoffed, "If you're even half the chef your mom is then I bet you're more than passably good."
"Is cute, kind, and can cook. Midori-kun you are setting the bar too high. No one will be able to compare to you at this rate," Mina said fanning herself.
"Ashido-san," Izuku said blushing hard, "that's not—"
"Take the compliment for what's it worth," Kyoka said holding a finger to Izuku's lips. "Mina don't tease green bean so much. You're going to turn his mind to mush and we need that tonight."
"Aww, but you're right," Mina said pouting. Mina picked up the lid of a mostly full pot of curry. Taking a sniff, Mina began to drool. "Oh wow Midori-kun, if this tastes half as good as it smells then I could probably just die and go to heaven."
Kyoka was instantly by her side and took a sniff of the pot as well.
"Damn, Mina's right. This smells amazing," Kyoka said as she began drooling too. The twin rumbling of stomachs did nothing to deter the girls from the curry.
"W-well if you both are hungry help yourself. I can always make more for my mom later." The moment those words left Izuku's mouth, Mina and Kyoka had a bowl filled with rice and topped with curry before them as they sat at the table.
"Itadakimasu."
In unison, the two scooped a bite and ate it. Stars shined in their eyes as they began to devour the content of the bowl.
Izuku watched in surprise and horror as the pot's content emptied to nothing. Soon enough the two were sitting with bloated bellies and near spotless bowls. Without a word, Izuku shook his head and collected the empty bowls and pot, and began washing them.
"I don't think I've ever been so full," Mina said rubbing her stomach.
"Agreed, the only time I've eaten anything as good was oba-san's cooking, and her's is only a smidge better," Kyoka said.
"Well if you two are done, how about we start going over your homework?" said Izuku.
"What about you, don't you need to do your homework?" asked Mina as Izuku pulled out a knife and cutting board.
"I'm already done. I'm just here to tutor you and feed you as well apparently," said Izuku as he starched his cheek.
Taking his word for it, Mina and Kyoka began to go over the homework. Izuku constantly paused in his cooking to walk over and work through a few problems with them. Every time something clicked Izuku smiled at their reactions. Mina would bounce, clap her hands, and exclaim something in excitement. On the other hand, Kyoka's eyes would shine and ear jacks rise like she was using them to cheer.
Soon enough the math homework was finished. Twin groans of pain came over Mina and Kyoka as they pulled out the next subject, English.
"English is so hard. Why do they make us do this?" Mina said laying her head on her book.
"There is a good chance, with how connected the world is, that we have to talk to a foreigner. Either over the internet or in person. Not everyone knows Japanese, and, while there is no official worldwide language, English is the closest thing we have to an international standard due to how many people speak it," Izuku said popping the lid onto the pot.
"Why must you be right?" groaned Mina as she buried her head.
"So can you help us with English?" Kyoka asked.
"Of course," Izuku said pulling up a chair, "Let's get started."
000
"Why are you so good at everything green bean?" Kyoka said lounging on the couch. Her feet kicking in the air off the sides.
"I'm not that good. There are a lot of people better than me in terms of academics. English, math, and basic science are just my better subjects because I can apply them to heroics. You both know I am a bit of fanboy." Izuku scratched his cheek while giving an awkward laugh. He was sitting at the other end of the couch. As far as he could sit away from where Kyoka's head laid without sitting on the armrest.
"Midori-kun, calling you a fanboy is an understatement. You put the professional analysis to shame," said Mina from her spot on the floor.
"I would pay anything to watch you put some of those pompous assholes in their place. Some of them are just giant flaming pieces—"
"Alright, alright, we get the idea. You don't like them," Izuku said putting a hand on Kyoka's mouth. A loud squeal burst out of Izuku as he pulled his hand away and began to rub on his pants.
Kyoka laughed at his frantic actions, "That's what you get for putting your hand on my mouth. Be happy I didn't choose to bite it."
"That might have been preferable to you licking it," Izuku said getting up to wash his hands.
Mina was just cackling away on the floor. Once she calmed down, Izuku had taken his place on the couch again. An idea popped into her head causing Mina to shoot up.
"Ooh we should have a movie night!" Mina said.
Kyoka shot up as well.
"Studio Ghibli binge! I wish I brought some more muppet movies," said Kyoka as she pulled out her phone.
"Isn't it getting late? Don't you two need to head home soon?" Izuku asked.
"It's alright, it's the weekend and all our homework is done. I mean it's up to you, it is your house," Mina said looking up to Izuku.
"I'm up for it, if you both are," said Izuku with a shrug.
Mina cheered as she pulled out her phone. Kyoka put her phone away with a smile.
"My parents are okay with me staying out late or overnight," Kyoka said.
"Mine too! This is going to be so much fun." Mina said giggling.
"O-o-overnight?" Izuku asked.
"I'm not planning to stay but just in case, don't want them freaking out or anything," Kyoka said moving the TV stand cabinets.
Izuku just sighed and leaned back into his seat as Mina and Kyoka picked out a movie. A large smile formed on his face when he saw the signature text crawl of Star Wars appear. Izuku took a second to look at Mina and Kyoka who were engrossed in the movie already. This feeling of being able to share stuff without fear, to have friends you can trust. Izuku knew he would do whatever it took to protect that feeling.
How did you enjoy the slower chapter? Just trying to show off their friendships more before I add in more characters. Thanks for all the support and I hope everyone keeps enjoying the story!
Replies to reviews:
Monkey D Canon: I appreciate the Despicable Me movie quote. I know I've screamed that quote to myself for some other fanfics in the past lol. I'm glad you're enjoying the series and I hope you continue to do so.
Violastrum: Yup, with how selfless Izuku is in canon I feel like he probably would have tried to help people whenever he could. And I definitely want to write chapters of Izuku dealing with the league of villain members that just needed a helping hand. There won't be a long wait for one of them to show up. I haven't yet thought about Queen Bee or Pop Step, so thanks for bringing them up. And we see Izuku get a kick to start to be better physically too soon.
Powermax5998: I might write a little thing about Izuku and Bakago, but I be honest. I'll probably keep a lot of that relationship in the background unless I come up with something new to add to a dynamic that so many other writers focus on. That's my stance on that for now, but that doesn't mean stuff isn't happening between them in the background.
Guest: Ochako is kinda low on my list of characters to add. Simply because it's unlikely that either Ochako or Izuku to travel out of their area. But who knows, maybe they somehow meet sooner than I planned.
CuriousPug5: First, big fan, love your work. You're part of the reason I enjoy reading and writing Kyoka a lot. So I'm honored that you enjoyed my story so far. I found it hard to write a good balance between Izuku's brave and nervous side but I'm glad that you enjoyed it. I hope you keep enjoying the story!