Izuku sat across from Tsu in a booth towards the back of their chosen dinner destination. It was a nice little diner. Upscale, but still down to earth. Izuku had never been one for extravagant meals which Tsu seemed to share. The closest he and Ochaco got to an upscale dinner was the two of them trying to cook a fancy dinner and nearly burning the apartment down before giving up and ordering pizza. He smirked sadly at the memory before shaking his head. No, I need to think about me and Tsu now. That time of my life is over I need to move on. He reminded himself.
Izuku looked across at Tsu as she perused the menu. Her face to most would be inscrutable, but Izuku counted himself as one of the few, not in her family that could see a small glimpse of what the amphibious heroine was thinking. "It all looks and sounds so good huh." He said breaking Tsu from her viewing of the menu. She looked up her moss green eyes locking with Izuku's emerald green ones.
"It really does, and the fact I've never been here before makes it all the more exacerbating." She said as Izuku nodded. He looked at the menu a final time and shrugged before closing his eyes and pointing at the menu at random. He opened his eyes and found his finger on a surf and turf dish of a Tuna steak and Chicken Wing Gyoza. "Well, this should be interesting." He said at his random choice.
Tsu giggled at his sudden burst of spontaneity. "You're walking on the wild side tonight Midoriya." Tsu said as Izuku leaned forward.
"Care to join me Tsu?" He asked staring into her eyes and causing the heroine to blush.
"You know what, why not?" She said as their waiter came over to take their orders.
"Thank you for dining with us, are you ready to order?" He asked as Tsu closed her menu.
"Yes I'll have a beer whatever's on tap and I'll have some of your Beef Bourguignon." She stated simply as she handed the man her menu. Izuku's eyes widened some. He was kind of shocked that Tsu drank of course they were both adults so it wasn't like he was against it, but it was surprising. He knew from the celebrations his class had after graduating that Ashido and Jirou both drank like fish, and in doing so caused a lot of trouble for Kirishima and Kaminari. He didn't much care for drinking aside from the polite one or two drinks he stayed away from the stuff.
That was a necessity considering how much of a lightweight Ochaco was. Tsu looked at Izuku and could practically tell what he was thinking. "You're thinking of when Ochaco got drunk at that Christmas party aren't you." She stated with a small laugh as Izuku sighed.
"She had one glass of wine and was wrecked after that." He said with a shake of his head.
"Seeing her argue with that potted plant thinking it was you was pretty funny," Tsu said as Izuku couldn't help but hold his head before remembering that the waiter was still there waiting on his order.
"Oh, I'm sorry I'll have your Tuna steak with chicken Gyoza, and…I'll take what she's drinking." He said with a confident snap of his menu. Tsu gave several claps.
"Oh my, the number one hero decides to take on a beer. What will everyone think?" Tsu said placing her chin on one of her hands as Izuku gave a small fist pump.
"I'm off duty." That was his only reply.
"Tsu and I spent most of the night and into the early morning there. It was like 1 in the morning when we finally left, needless to say, tipsier than either of us had planned to be. It was just too much fun hanging out with her, but at that point, I didn't want to let Tsu go home on the train by herself and I didn't trust myself enough to float home. I know what I said about Ochaco, but I'm not much better. A few beers and I'm done in. We uh…got a room." Izuku said with a blush as Dr. Nabe looked at him.
"And did anything…happen?" She asked as Izuku immediately began sputtering.
"Nononononono! I mean we slept together, but not like that! We just sort of fell asleep in the same bed." He clarified as Dr. Nabe nodded. "Of course, I don't think Hinako believed me when I came home the next morning," Izuku said remembering the look on Hinako's face. "That whole day she just peeped at me all day with this smirk on her face. No matter how many times I said that nothing happened the smirk remained." He said with a sigh and shaking his head.
Dr. Nabe couldn't help but laugh a little. "I'm sure she's just being supportive in her own way, but it seems like your date went well with hopes of a repeat?" She asked as Izuku nodded.
"Uh yeah we plan on going out again as soon as our schedules line up or we put in for another off day." He said with a happy nod.
"I'm glad to hear that Izuku, you seem to be making great strides towards the future you want. If there's nothing else concerning you or you wish to talk about I'll meet with Hinako now, but before the two of you leave for the day I'd like to speak with both of you at the same time." Izuku cocked his head to the side before nodding as he left only to be replaced by Hinako shortly after.
The teenager sat down on the couch practically buzzing with excited energy. Hinako was dressed in a long-sleeve pink shirt with black and pink tartan pants. Dr. Nabe took a moment to orient her mind and just as she was about to speak Hinako blurted out her words. "My dad totally got laid!" She said excitedly. Dr. Nabe's thoughts crashed at that taking several more seconds to get her thoughts together.
"…I see, and how do you feel about…that?" Dr. Nabe asked letting Hinako have her thoughts after all Izuku had already tried to correct her many times it would do no good for her to try and do the same. Hinako smiled widely.
"What do you mean; I'm happy for him of course. I mean I think he should have waited at least another two or three dates, but if it works it works you know. He says he didn't, but I totally know he did." She said with a laugh. Dr. Nabe cleared her throat.
"Well it's good you are supportive of your dad's relationship, but let's take a look at you. Your dad told me that you asked him to enroll you back in school and he said yes. Are you excited to be going back?" Dr. Nabe asked as Hinako reigned in her excitement.
"Yeah, but also kind of nervous. It's been a while since I was in school not to mention I've neglected a lot of my school work so I'm not sure if I'll be in the right grade for my age." She said with a sigh as she leaned back. "I mean I've got no one to blame, but myself so if I am I'll just have to deal." Dr. Nabe nodded.
"That's a very mature way to think of things Hinako, and your dad tells me you are very smart so even if you are put into a lower grade I'm sure with a little extra work you can still graduate on time." She encouraged as Hinako shrugged.
"He would say that, wouldn't he. He's always there for me. I think that's kind of scary. Sure we weren't getting along, but I always had him around. Now I'll be flying solo. I just want to make him proud and show him I'm not the person I was before and I never want to be again." She said clenching her hands together. Dr. Nabe looked at Hinako she could see Izuku's determination in her. When she set her mind to something she was as unfaltering as her father. Dr. Nabe had no doubt that Hinako would get to where she wanted to be.
"What are your career plans Hinako. You'll be in High School that's when a lot of people start making plans for their future. I mean you have at the most three years to decide so no rush." Dr. Nabe said as Hinako leaned back and looked up at the ceiling.
"I haven't really thought about it. I mean I know I don't want to be a hero or anything like that. I see my dad out there and I'm proud of him, but that's not for me." She said with a shrug. "Still I should start thinking of something. I mean I can't live with my dad forever, not that he wouldn't let me or anything, but I don't want that. I need to have my own life. My dad has done more than enough for me. He did what a lot of parents especially heroes wouldn't do." She said blinking her eyes slowly.
"Maybe I'll just be some office drone get a nine to five and work like that for the rest of my days." She said with a shrug. She didn't really have a career that shone to her. She just knew what she didn't want to do.
"Well like I said that's fine Hinako you've got some time just keep that in the back of your mind." She said as Hinako nodded. "Well is there anything else you'd like to talk about Hinako?" Hinako took a moment to think before shaking her head.
"No not really Doc I-I think I know where I'm heading at least for right now. You helped me and my dad a lot. I mean I know you're getting paid and all, but thanks anyway. I never thought me and my dad would or could ever be close. Before all this, I just wanted to get away from him. Live in my own way or do everything I thought would piss him off, but now I enjoy being around him. I want to spend more time with him as much as I can." She said with a laugh as Dr. Nabe nodded.
"That's a good thing to hear Hinako I'm glad that I could help the two of you, but before you go I wanted to say something to the both of you if that's alright." Hinako arched a brow but nodded.
"Sure that's fine." She said as Dr. Nabe walked over to the door and waved for Izuku to enter. He came in soon after. He looked at Hinako before sitting down on the couch next to her. Dr. Nabe took a breath before speaking.
"First of all, I'm happy that you two have made so much progress. I know this wasn't easy, things like this never are, but you two persevered. You realized that you both had problems acknowledged them and sought out a solution. I know it's commonly said that the first step is admitting you have a problem, but that is the truth. You can't fix a problem if you don't even know it's there. I'm proud to say that you two have worked through your problems and have reached a place where I'm comfortable in saying that you two no longer need to see me on a weekly basis."
The two Midoriya's looked at one another with a hint of trepidation. Dr. Nabe gave a gentle smile. "I'm not saying you two can no longer come to me in fact with your permission I'm going to recommend biweekly sessions. "You'll come and visit me every two weeks let me know how things are going if there are any problems we need to work through. Therapy is a marathon, not a sprint. I'll always be here for you two and if you need to see me sooner feel free to call and I can arrange a session."
Dr. Nabe grew silent letting the two Midorya's process what she just said. "Is that something you two are willing to start?" She asked after a few moments. Izuku looked at Hinako and held her hand.
"Well, Hinako what do you think?" He asked as the young blonde girl looked at her father. Hinako took a deep breath.
"We've trusted Dr. Nabe this far so why not go with her advice." Izuku nodded after hearing his Daughter's words.
"I agree with Hinako Dr. Nabe. I trust your judgment. If you think this is our next step then so be it. You've helped us along every inch of this path. Your guidance is indispensable. Dr. Nabe shook her head.
"You honor me too much. Yes, I guided you down the path, but it was your choice to take the necessary steps and it was your strength that got you to where you are now. I will let my secretary know of the change in schedule. Finally, there is something I want the two of you to do. Firstly I want you to know that this will not be easy by any means and I'm not asking you to do something you don't want to. I only ask that you consider what I'm about to say."
Father and Daughter eyed the Doctor dubiously, but both shook their heads in agreement. "Alright, Dr. Nabe." Izuku aid as Hinako nodded. Dr. Nabe took a deep breath before she spoke to compose herself.
"Now I know that the two of you have very deep feelings regarding Himiko Toga." She saw both visibly stiffen at the villainess's name, but she could also see that the intense reactions that Izuku once had at the mention of Toga weren't as severe. That made her smile inwardly proud of his progress. "I know Izuku she played a large part in your break up with Ochaco Uraraka." Izuku swallowed slowly his face going pale as his fist clenched thankfully it was not the one cradling his daughter's hand, though the daughter fared no better than her father.
Hinako's eyes became pinpricks and her breath came out in harsh pants. Dr. Nabe soldiered on knowing that she needed these scant few moments to say her piece. "Given all, she's done Himiko still has a connection to the both of you, and I ask for one moment to suspend your hatred, and disgust and think of her for a moment objectively as hard as that may be. Izuku you were harmed grievously by Himiko, but in the end, you have Hinako. Still, she has a hold of you." Izuku shot up as lightning crackled around him.
"You want me to think of her objectively?! This is all her fault. She deserves what's she's gotten!" He shouted. Dr. Nabe looked at him and nodded.
"I'm not saying she doesn't Izuku, all I'm asking is that you consider at least think removed from your anger. You once saved a man who slaughtered hundreds the greatest villain of our generation Tomura Shigaraki. You saved him when many would have killed him. You are the man most capable of kindness. I'm not asking that you release her only that you speak to. If you do that if you face her and tell her everything about how what she did made you feel. You can finally get the catharsis you need, but first, you have to face it one last time. Just think about it and if you decide not to then that is your decision. I can only present the door Izuku I can't make you go through it." She said as the hero slowly sat back down his power dispersing.
"And what of me?" Hinako asked. "Would you have me show her kindness pretend to be her precious daughter call her mother? That selfish monster! Is that what you would have me do Doc!?" Hinako shouted her eyes swirling with red as her fingers clung to Izuku's like a vice. Dr. Nabe faced Hinako.
"As I said this only for you to consider I know neither of you wishes to have anything to do with Himiko Toga and I respect that desire, but at the same time, it is inescapable the connection you have. You can ignore and run from it if you wish, but I know you are strong enough to face your lineage and move forward. I would not ask you to see her in person. Maybe write her a letter?" Dr. Nabe said simply. "I will say firstly that Himiko Toga is a criminal and murderer. She has caused pain in your lives and many others. If you choose not to interact with her no one could blame you. I'm asking that you show the strength that I know you have and get the closure you need to close that chapter on your lives."
"She doesn't deserve it," Hinako said standing up. "She doesn't deserve to see me, she doesn't even deserve the time it takes me to think of her. I don't want to see her and I never will." She said storming out. Izuku looked at Dr. Nabe his green eyes looking her over.
"Do you really think this is for the best?" He asked as Dr. Nabe nodded.
"I wouldn't have asked this of you if I didn't believe it. I know what she's done Izuku, but I also know how good of a person you and your daughter are. I don't want Himiko to haunt either of you any longer. If you face her truly face her and the past you share there will be nothing she can do to you any longer. You will have truly conquered her and can move on. Still, it's only a suggestion that is all. There is no right or wrong here Izuku. It's all up to what you and Hinako feel is right for you." Izuku stood up and ran a hand through his hair before walking to the door Hinako had slammed on her way out.
"I'll think about it." That was the last thing Izuku said before leaving.
Izuku sat across from Hinako as the two picked at their respective dinners. He wanted to broach the subject that Dr. Nabe brought up, but he didn't know-how. A problem his daughter didn't share. "Can you believe what she asked as to do?" Hinako said throwing down her chopsticks. "As if we'd ever go see that monster, if that's what it takes to get better then I guess I never will." She said crossing her arms. Izuku set down his own chopsticks and looked at Hinako.
"Don't say that Hinako, besides Dr. Nabe only asked us to consider what she asked nothing more." Hinako hissed at her father's words.
"The fact that she asked is the very problem. I mean come on, Himiko Toga has ruined both our lives. I never want to see her again and hope she rots for the rest of her days!" Hinako shouted as she stood up and then took a breath. "I'm not mad at you dad, but I…need to be alone." She said going to her room as Izuku sat at the table and sighed. As he was sitting there dealing with Dr. Nabe's words his phone rang. He looked down to see that it was Tsu. He took a deep breath and answered the phone as if nothing was wrong.
"Hey Tsu how are you doing?" He asked only hearing silence before Tsu's voice came through the speakers.
"What's wrong?" She asked without any room for him to argue that there was nothing wrong. Tsu always did cut to the heart of the matter no matter what and he knew there was no point in trying to convince her otherwise. He gave a sigh as his way of waving the white flag.
"Alright, you got me. Hinako and I had a session and…it didn't end well." He said moving to his bedroom and shutting the door to have this conversation. Tsu immediately began to back off after hearing this was about Hinako and his therapy.
"I'm sorry Izuku if you don't want to talk about it that's fine. I understand." She said as Izuku shook his head.
"No Tsu it's fine you are a very…important part of my life now. I don't want to hide anything from you. Without going into too many details Dr. Nabe asked us to consider going and speaking to Toga one last time." He said and even the words on his tongue felt wrong. The notion of going and seeing her filled him with dread so deep it rooted him to the ground where he sat.
"Oh, that's…a lot," Tsu said not really sure what to say. In the plainest of terms, she would tell Izuku to get a new therapist. If she were in his shoes there's no way she could bring herself to go see someone that had done something so terrible to her. "I don't know what to say Izuku." She said honestly as Izuku gave a soft chuckle.
"That's ok I had the same reaction when she told me that too. I mean it's crazy, right? Going to see Toga, she nearly ruined my life. I don't want to say it, but after Ochaco left me I was so lost and she was the cause of that." He said clenching his fist. "But at the same time I trust Dr. Nabe and if she says this will help give me the catharsis to move on fully I should do it right?" He asked as Tsu let out a breath slowly.
"I really can't say yes or no Izuku. I can only say what I would do and that would be to stay away from Toga as far and as long as I can, but I'm also a much weaker person than you." Tsu said as Izuku arched a brow.
"Tsu you're not weak you're one of the bravest people I know. It takes a lot to stand up to your friends." Izuku said as Tsu shook her head.
"I knew that's what you were going to bring up and I'll admit you're right on that account, but I also had others on my side at the time. In this situation, you are stronger Izuku. If you do this you're doing it because it's the right thing for you. You're going to face a terrible person look them in the eye and talk to them. Tell her what she did to you and then walk away. That will take a lot." She said simply as Izuku nodded. "Whatever you decide I will support you because just like I am to you, you are a very important part of my life too." She said as both smiled.