Kamurocho, Tokyo- 199X
Goro Majima wasn't having the best of days.
It wasn't awful, mind you. Just not great.
Though that wasn't all that unusual for him.
It took some time for him to end back up in Kamurocho, but like most of the trash that got thrown out, there he was, back on the street.
Though unlike most trash, when he walked through the streets, people parted and made way for him to come through.
He wasn't all that put out by it. If anyone had a problem with him being back, they could kiss his leather-clad ass.
To show how not put out by it he happened to be, Majima began humming a jaunty tune.
His snakeskin jacket glinted and shined in the streetlights. It was hardly designer, like most of the crap he saw most punks wearing out when they went out to hit the town, but he hardly gave a shit.
It was loud, tacky, and outta place.
Just where he was at the moment.
If Mirei was there, she'd probably tell him to at least put a shirt on under it.
At that thought, his humming ceased, and he walked with a lot less swagger in his step.
Mirei.
He'd tried not to think about her since the divorce.
Really, he had.
But every once in a while, there'd be that one intrusive thought just pushing to the front of his mind.
Far more frequently than that she'd be in magazines, a bright smile plastered on her face.
And if that weren't enough, he'd hear people talk about her everywhere he went.
"The next big idol."
"She's just so talented!"
"Hey, have you heard about Mi-chan's performance at the Tokyo Dome? It's gonna be amazing! I've already got my tickets booked!"
He had no right to be upset.
He was doing well enough back in Kamurocho, there wasn't a single person who didn't know about 'The Mad Dog of Shimano' and the Majima Family was going strong.
Mirei was following her dreams. Who was he to get in the way of that?
Though, as much as he thought that, it didn't make the reality of it hurt any less.
He missed her.
He's the one that left, and he had no right to miss her, but he did.
He wanted to see her.
Talk to her
Laugh with her.
Sing with her.
See her smile again, just at him.
He wanted to do all of those things, but he couldn't.
Because he left because he-
Creeach!
He could hear the sound of leather being wrung against even more leather.
Looking down, he could see his hand balled into tightened fists.
Loosening his grip and closing his eye, he took a deep breath and started walking again.
Fuck it, I need somethin' stiff.
And so, he walked off to go find some very hard alcohol.
"Goro-nii?"
Before being stopped in his tracks at the sound of a familiar voice.
Musutafu, Tokyo- 201X
Izuku Midoriya was having a strange day.
Not a bad kind of strange, just... pretty weird.
It had all been normal until school let out for the day.
And then, several peculiar things occurred in sequence.
First, he'd witnessed this strange foreign guy ranting and raving about 'The Perfect Shot'.
That was something he found interesting, but felt like he shouldn't get too deeply involved in, so he discreetly listened for a few more moments as the man talked about opportunities for things called 'Revelations' popping up all around Japan. The man was very clearly disturbed(or maybe that's just how foreigners were) but some of the things he said did resonate with the boy, who decided that he'd keep what the guy said in mind.
Next, he found himself accosted by some cooking show host that he had seen his mother watching on TV once or twice.
It wasn't odd to see a few famous figures wandering around Musutafu, given the fact that U.A.( a school for heroes in training, staffed by pro heroes) wasn't all that far from the city.
Though most of those famous figures were heroes like Vlad King, Lunch Rush, or even Hound Dog.
What made the host's presence so peculiar to him was the fact that he was so… normal.
Normal meaning quirkless in that sense.
It was so strange for Izuku to think of meeting so many quirkless people like him on his walks through Musutafu.
Granted, the dozen quirkless people that he'd met in the full decade that he had been alive paled in comparison to the several dozen quirked people he had met, but in a quirked society, one could hardly expect to find half as many non-superhumans without looking really hard.
Izuku's oddly frequent encounters with the less abundantly present members of society aside, the host(Kawa-something, he couldn't quite remember) asked Izuku to find and refer him to some local eateries, if he knew any, so they could be featured on the man's travelling cooking show.
Why he would ask an actual child for help, no one could say.
But Izuku, having been most of the local eateries in Musutafu with his uncle and neighbor(while keeping up a lie that had long been uncovered), was able to help and referred Kawasomething-san to the Most Icely Cafe, referencing their signature 'Carboniced Coffee'.
"Sweet with a tinge of roguish bitterness, for the outlaw in everyone."
With a smile on his face and Izuku's recommendation in mind, Kawasomething-san and went off in the direction of Most Icely, while Izuku went about his day.
Which brings us to the strangest event of the boy's day so far, at the Children's Park.
"Hello, Musutafu! My name is Pop✰Step! I'm a new idol and I hope you enjoy the show that I'm about to put on for you!"
The 'idol' stood between two speakers in the center of the park, dressed in a cutesy black devil girl ensemble, complete with bat wings, knee high boots, and a rather short miniskirt.
The third item in the ensemble caught Izuku's the most, as it revealed an… interesting part of her body to the boy.
Yes, very interesting.
Especially after he read the magazine that Kiryu-san had given him all those years ago.
I need to thank him when I see him next.
His slight nosebleed and wobbly smile would likely make the man proud, seeing as it meant that the boy had finally become a man…
In the strange twisted way that only the old dragon could see.
That aside, when the lecherous thoughts passed and Izuku tuned back into reality to hear the idol's performance, he was impressed.
Her singing was beautiful and her dancing was nothing to sneeze at.
Her overall performance, however, seemed to be… lacking something.
Yes, her singing was fine. On key and on beat with the music playing from the speakers.
Her dancing looked nice, too. Her steps were certain and looked, for all intents and purposes, to be professional. But it seemed… that that was also the problem.
Her steps looked professional, but there was hardly any passion or flair to it. It just all seemed to be so by-the-book. Very briefly, it would seem like she was trying to say something through her movements, but it never quite reached.
And it seemed he wasn't the only one who noticed.
Most of the crowd that had gathered to watch the spectacle lost interest in the rather standard idol routine and went about their days.
Soon enough, Izuku was one of the only people left loitering in the park, apart from some very young children and a few pearl-clutching mothers.
Pop✰Step finished with a distinct lack of enthusiasm compared to the bouncing excitement she had when she started.
And as she got ready to start taking down the speakers dejectedly, Izuku approached her.
"Um, excuse me. PopStep-san?"
"It's Pop✰Ste- Wait. Huh?" She stopped her automatic answer and whipped around, eyes landing on the green-haired child that had appeared in front of her.
Substories 3
A Pop, Step, and a Leap Away
"Oh! How can I help you?" The dejectedness in her form and voice seemed to disappear at the sight of the young boy, and her exuberance from before seemed to come rushing back in full force.
"I just wanted to talk about your show."
"Is that so? What did you think, little guy?" Her expectant smile was incredibly wide.
"It was… kinda bland."
"Huh?" The idol's face froze.
"D-don't get me wrong. It wasn't bad, your singing and footwork was great, but it was also pretty standard. I've seen a lot of other idols doing the same movements you did. They were professional, but even professional gets stale after a while, y'know?"
With every word that spilled from between the boy's lips, the Pop✰Step recoiled as if struck.
By the time Izuku got to his point, the idol looked almost like she had been trampled by herd of horses.
"...So, I wanna help."
Pop✰Step perked back up slightly at that.
"Help?"
"Yeah."
"Help how?"
"Well, I wanna help put a little more umm-'Oomph' in your dancing. Something to keep people's interest. You're really good, but that didn't keep the attention. You need some more flair."
"Um, that's all well and good, but what can you really teach me? I've been dancing for years, you're- what? Nine?"
"I'm ten, and I can teach you loads of stuff! I know how to dance too."
"Uh huh. Sure, kid."All of the warmth that the idol exuded was gone, replaced with a somewhat snide and cold demeanor.
It ticked Izuku off a little bit, but he knew how to get her to listen to him.
"Well, what do ya say to a dance battle, then?"
"Beg your pardon?"
"A dance battle. They're pretty big in Sotenbori, but they're picking up here in Tokyo, as well. If you think I can't teach you anything, beat me in one. I'll clean up for ya and leave you alone after."
"And if I lose?"
"You let me help you with your dancing. No complaints."
"Right, kid. So I feel I should let you know, when you're taking down the speakers, you go speaker first, then stand, then base."
Izuku smirked, "Alrighty then. Then let's pick a song and start."
Pop✰Step pulled out a remote and pressed a button, the speakers started playing and the game was on.
"Izu-chan, put on the skates."
"Jiji, I really don't get how this'll help me be a better fighter."
"Because I say it will! Now put on the skates."
"AH! Okay, I'm doing it."
Izuku pulled the line skates onto his feet and stood shakily.
Majima gave him a quick glance over.
As soon as he saw that Izuku was stable, he said, "Alright, now dance!"
"... I'm sorry?"
"I said… DANCE!"
Blink.
Majima sighed, "Look Izu-chan, either ya dance or ya run. Pick one in three, two, one-"
"SocanyashowmeafewstepsJiji?" This question was incredibly rushed.
"Heh, just watch and learn, kid."
As Izuku watched Pop✰Step panting on the ground, he smiled. He figured he would need to thank his uncle for the lessons, when he saw the man for New Years.
Kneeling down and offering the tired idol a hand, Izuku grinned and asked, "So, why don't we go talk on one of those benches?"
Taking his hand, Pop✰Step gasped, "Where- did you- learn to dance- like that?"
With a cheeky little grin, he answered, "Takoba Municipal. Maybe ya heard of it."
Moments later, the two sat on a park bench.
"Okay Pop✰Step-san. Let's talk about your performance."
The idol nodded.
"Like I said before, your dancing and singing are really professional. But, even still, professional doesn't mean fun. And if you're not having fun, how can ya expect anyone else to?"
"Well… I guess you're right. But what's your secret trick to dancing the way you do?"
A sigh. "Didn't ya hear a word I just said? I have fun while I'm doin' it."
"Yeah, but I can't just let loose and have fun, I'm an idol. I have to be a professi-"
"Pop✰Step-san, why did you become an idol?"
"What?"
"Why- did you- become- an idol?"
"Because… I wanted to make people smile."
"Hm?"
"I love idols. I always have. When I was younger, I put on shows in Naruhata to give the people something to look forward to when they walked by. I always had such a good time, that I decided that I wanted to make a career out of it. So I practiced and practiced and practiced. And here we are. This was meant to be my big breakout performance into the public eye, but here I am, unnoticed and pouring my heart out to a kid who just kicked my butt. How pathetic is that?"
"... I don't think it's pathetic at all."
"What?"
"I think, as an idol, what you want to do is amazing."
He had Pop✰Step's undivided attention now.
Good, because what he was about to say would be important.
"Whether you're a hero or an idol, you're saving people. But while a hero saves people's lives, an idol saves their hearts. And they get to have a great time while doing it, all with a smile. And for that, Pop✰Step-san, I really admire you and other idols. For working hard and having fun."
Izuku closed his eyes with a smile. He'd said his piece, he'd just need to hope that Pop✰Step got his meaning.
When he heard movement to the side of him, he knew what was coming next.
He could hear the footsteps of someone walking in front of him, and stopping.
Opening his eyes, he could see Pop✰Step standing in front of him and leaning down towards him with a smile.
"So why don't we get to work then, Midori-sensei?"
"Alright! So before we get back to dancing, I've gotta ask, what's your quirk?"
"My quirk?"
"Yeah, so you can incorporate it into your routine. Is it lasers? Firework-popping? Floating?"
"Uh no. Nothing that fantastic. My quirk is called 'Leap'. It basically allows me to leap really high and not take damage when I fall."
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"Um, Midori-sensei?"
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"Midori-sensei."
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"MIDORI!"
That snapped the green haired boy out of his semi-trance, and he put down a notebook, which he definitely wasn't holding before.
"Ahem. Sorry, I… do that sometimes."
"O...kay?"
"But anyway, your quirk is perfect. Do you have any idea how many acrobatics moves you can apply to that? Flips, tumbles, springs. The possibilities are endless!"
Saying that, he showed his notebook to the idol and watched her face slowly light at what she saw.
"So, whaddya think ? Can ya do it… Pop✰Step-san?"
The idol grinned and said, "Let's do it, Midori-sensei!"
"Hello again, Musutafu! Once more, my name is Pop✰Step! I'm a new idol and I hope you enjoy this next show that I'm putting on for you!"
Okay, Pop✰Step-san you've got this, just remember why you're performing.
The music began to blast from the speakers and the show was on.
People gathered once more…
And were enraptured.
The idol had seemed to receive a breath of life.
No, not a breath. A full-on gust.
Her by-the-book movements rang with personality and fervor.
And through them, the rapidly forming crowd could hear exactly what she was telling them.
Smile.
Just watch me and smile.
And when the song came to its conclusion, she gave them a reason to.
A step, turn, and spin, before suddenly… she leaped.
In the air, she spun, flipped, and rolled, before coming back down and landing on one knee with a flourish.
And the crowd went wild.
Izuku, however, was hit with a flash of inspiration.
He had an idea.
A breakthrough.
A… Revelation, if you would.
And as he scribbled furiously in his journal he could see it all in his mind's eye.
He couldn't leap as high as Pop✰Step, no that'd be impossible without a quirk.
But if he could leap over a charging enemy, he might get a quick and easy chance at a counterattack.
It was all hypothetical, of course. But he would call this Revelation of his Essence of Hurdling.
With a nod, he put his notebook away and turned back towards the stage to see Pop✰Step taking down the speakers and equipment.
This time, helped by a group of, what looked to be, adoring fans.
Remember why you do what you do Pop✰Step and you'll astound everytime.
And the young greenette walked away.
Substories 3
A Pop, Step, and a Leap Away-END
After Izuku left the Children's Park, he knew he had to get home.
It was almost time for a certain broadcast that he couldn't miss, under any circumstances.
So he began rushing home, dodging cars, people, and even stray cats.
"Hey, stop right there, ya little shit!"
Ah, crap.
Izuku skidded to a halt as three men, no older than 20 stood in his way.
"Hey there, Chinpoko-chan, Oshiri-chan, Kōgan-chan."
The three adults, mean-looking and red-faced stared daggers at the boy.
The trio had been fighting with the boy for the past two years.
Well, saying 'fighting' would be giving them a bit too much credit.
It'd be a bit more accurate to say that they'd been getting beaten by Izuku for the past two years.
They would seemingly prowl Musutafu every week, looking for the boy; confronting him whenever they found him.
It was unlikely for the three to be together most times that they went looking, seeing as they were most likely using the 'divide and conquer' method of searching.
But of course they'd all be together when I'm in a hurry.
"Listen guys, I'd be glad to fight ya any other day. But, I need to get going. So please move."
That was clearly not the right thing to say, if the purpling of Chinpoko-chan's face was any indication.
"Let's get him, boys!"
Oh boy, here we go.
Mooks
Okay, I'm strapped for time, so I shouldn't drag this out. It'll take too long to tire 'em all out, so I'll have to take 'em down with one or two strikes each.
He got low and centered into his fighting stance.
First up is Oshiri-chan. He always comes at me with a charging hook.
Woosh!
Like clockwork.
While dodging the older man's reckless attack, Izuku delivered a quick, hard strike to his solar plexus, knocking the air out his lungs.
When he bent over in an attempt to catch his breath, Izuku pirouetted and viciously jabbed his elbow into the man's temple.
Oshiri-chan went down like a bag of bricks.
Next up is Kōgan-chan. He's likely sending a high round at my head. I should duck.
Woosh!
After evading the kick, Izuku scrambled toward the man's other leg, using his head to ram his knee at full force.
Seeing as his other leg was still off the ground, Kōgan-chan was hardly what most would balanced, so it was a surprise to no one but himself when the ground suddenly came rushing to meet him.
Even more surprising was the fist that rushed towards his face before it all went black.
And now, Chinpoko-chan. Oh, there he is, coming in with… a tackle?!
Well, that's new! Let's meet him halfway.
And so, Izuku got to his feet and rushed at the charging man, feeling the Heat all the while.
[!] Heat Move: Essence of Hurdling
As soon as Chinpoko-chan sprung into what would've been a beautiful spear tackle, Izuku leapt over him, kicking the back of the man's head and moving into a mid-air tumble, before adjusting and falling to the ground with a graceful landing.
Chinpoko-chan hit the pavement hard with a groan, while Izuku ran off shouting, "Alright guys, good fight, see you next week!"
And he was off, while the trio of beaten men that he left behind moaned in pain.
"Tadaima!"
"Okaeri, Izuku. Did you have a good day?"
"Yeah mom. The show didn't start already, did it?"
"No, not yet. It won't be on for another ten minutes, so take off your jacket, wash your face, and eat your dinner."
"Right." Slightly winded, but incredibly relieved, Izuku took a breath and slid off the stajun that his uncle gave him.
Stajun. That's what his mom called it. Apparently it was pretty cool to have one when she was a kid.
He just liked it because his Jiji gave it to him.
And the mask on the back looked just like his tattoo.
After putting his stajun away and eating dinner, Izuku sat on the couch with his mom, waiting for the broadcast to start.
"Remember to finish packing your bag tomorrow. We're leaving on Sunday."
"Alright, mom."
"And don't forget to pack more than just your manga. You need clean undies and shirts too."
"Okay, mom."
"And don't forget to charge your phone. I was in Shizuoka with your father long enough to know how easy it is to get separated, especially around Sunpu."
"Got it, mo- Oh! It's starting!"
Onscreen, a man in a gray suit with glasses was lowered by a platform towards two stages.
"How are you doing, everybody?! It's showtime! I'm your host, Dolce Kamiya!"
He pointed and spoke with a bountiful supply of energy.
"Princess League 201X has finally reached its climax- - the finals begin now!"
The audience erupted into cheer. Izuku was getting pretty close to doing the same.
Kamiya quickly explained the rules to those in the audience, but Izuku tuned out during that portion, it wasn't all that interesting to him.
He already got the gist of it. The two contestants in the league would battle it out live in a concert battle, to win over the crowd. This would go on for three rounds.
The contestant that curried enough favor with the crowd by the end of their performance, would win that round.
Whoever won the final round, would win the League for that year.
Izuku didn't really care about all that, though.
He was just waiting for the man to announce the contestants.
"Let me introduce you to the two top contenders! Starting with this contestant team!"
A camera panned to one of the darkened stages, revealing a pair of silhouettes standing back-to-back.
"Dancing in perfect unison and singing in perfect harmony is this duo's claim to fame! Their popularity has been soaring right out of the gate! With a string of Princess League wins under their belt, it's the super idol unit.., T-Set!"
A light illuminated the stage, showing the silhouettes to be two pretty brunettes, who struck a pose at the sound of being announced.
The crowd cheered and the camera went to the other stage, where only one silhouette stood.
"And the talented newcomer who suddenly burst forward to beat out all other challengers! Can this rough-hewn diamond realize her dreams here in the Princess League? Haruka Sawamura!"
The crowd cheered here as well, and to the amusement of his mother, so did Izuku.
With introductions out of the way, the show was on. And Izuku was blown away.
The next morning, Izuku spoke on the phone, while he packed his bag for the trip he and his mom would be taking, the day after. As he packed, his Present Mic radio played music and the occasional news story behind him on his desk.
"I know, Haruka-neechan was amazing! I didn't doubt that she'd win for a second."
Ayako spoke with a laugh from the other side of the call, "We didn't either. By the way, did you get your letter ready for that magazine interview yet?"
"Um, yeah. I've got it right…" He took a moment to walk over to his desk and look, "here, on my desk. I'll send it tomorrow when we pass the post office."
"-ain, our top story is the Sapporo shooting incident early yesterday morning."
Hm?
"Hokkaido Police have determined… The victim was a senior member of Kanto's organized crime syndicate, The Tojo Clan."
Tojo Clan? Crime syndicate?
"He's been identified as Goro Majima. Given the victim's status as member of the largest quirkless crime syndicate in Kanto-"
Izuku tuned everything out after that point, and his phone fell to the floor as one thought beat out every other and bounced against his skull.
Jiji… was shot?
Oshiro-Ass
Kōgan-Testicles