Izuku sat on his desk and stared at the letter the Quirkless child had sent him.

INDESTRUCTIBLE

I WAS DIAGNOSED QUIRKLESS. CAN I STILL BE A HERO?

He'd been thinking about his response for almost a week. A week he had been a student in 1-A. The thought still made him giggle. He'd done it! He and Mei had done! After calming down, Izuku picked up a pen. The cast had come off his broken hand just the other day and his fingers were still stiff but at least he could write.

Thank you for your letter

I'm sorry to hear you had to go through that. I know from experience what it's like. I was diagnosed when I was five. Now, I'm going to tell you something I wish someone had told me when I was in your shoes.

Don't give up!

Becoming a hero isn't easy but nothing worth having comes easily. Work hard and never lose sight of your dream. I can't guarantee that it will be enough. I needed plenty of help to get where I am, but I can promise you this. Anyone who has reached their dreams worked hard for them. I'll be cheering for you.

- Indestructible

On a whim Izuku took out the letter Crimson Riot had written to him almost ten years ago and read it again.

Dear Izuku

I'm sorry to hear you had to go through that. Now, when you say you want to be a hero, do you mean you want to be a pro or that you want to be a hero? In this business I've met many people who're pros, but I would never call them heroes. Some of them are successful too. You don't need a Quirk to make a difference. You can always make the world a better place. That's what heroes do.

- Crimson Riot

Crimson Riot hadn't been wrong. Izuku just hadn't realized what Crimson Riot had been trying to tell him. When the villains had attacked the rescue training, he'd been able to buy Tsu time with just his wits. But… he had to be a hero to make the difference he wanted to make. How many like him were out there? Quirkless nobodies who thought their lives were over? He and Mei would show them all there was hope.

Izuku read through his response to the first piece of fan mail he'd ever gotten before sealing it in an envelope. Then he read the invitation Momo had given out in class. The paper was bone white and the invitation could have been hung in an art gallery.

The Yaoyorozu Conglomerate invites you to celebrate the end of the U.A Tournament at the Yaoyorozu Estate on Saturday at 7 PM.

He still had enough time to go for a run and mail the letter. He did a light jog to the mailbox and then started picking up speed. Ever since he'd made it to Heroics, working out had become a childlike game. And not just training. He glided through life. He went asleep smiling and woke up grinning. His only complaint was that Bakugou wasn't there to see it. Ever since the beatdown in the Sports Festival, Bakugou had been holed up in his room.

Izuku ran faster and further than he ever had before returning home where mom was making herself a sandwich.

"You want to eat before you go?" Mom said.

"… no thanks. There will be food at the party." Izuku said.

He took a long, cold shower. The burns in his arms and legs had healed more or less, but they still itched. When he stepped out of the shower, he took a long hard look at himself. Maybe he should've warned his young fan that the path to heroics was a rough ride. The three scars running over the right side of his face had faded but would never go away completely. His right ear was a swollen, twisted mess that could barely hear anything even with the hearing aid. Why did cauliflower ear have to be chronic? Then there was his right hand. A collection of pink and red scars. The nail on his pinkie had never grown back. If this kept up, he'd be a gargoyle by the end of the year.

Still, it had been worth it.

Izuku brushed his hair to cover his messed-up ear and facial scars. A black glove hid the state of his hand. Then he put on his new suit. It was the first time in his life that he'd worn a suit that was well-fitting. No. Not just well-fitting. Tailor made. A single suit had cost more than the rest of his wardrobe combined but Mei had called it a business expense and withdrawn the money from Team Indestructible's account.

Izuku started tying his green tie but after three attempts had to give up. Why did it always end up too short?

"Mom?! Can you help me with the tie?"

Mom got the tie perfect on her first tie. When had she gotten so good at it? Then he remembered how naturally Hisashi had worn his black suit.

"Looking handsome." Mom said.

"… come on, mom." Izuku said and squirmed with embarrassment.

There was a knock on the door. When Izuku went to open it, Mei was waiting in the hallway. She looked… different. She'd actually gone through the effort to comb her hair and wash away all the oil stains. Her dress was pale pink and left her shoulders bare. All the hard lifting at the workshop had given her an athletic build.

"Looking good." Mei said.

"… thanks. You too."

"Hush. You're making me blush." Mei said.

To Izuku's surprise, he realized that Mei was blushing.

"Ready to go?" Mei said.

"… yeah."

Mei grinned at mom.

"Don't worry, Mrs. M. I'll make sure he has fun even if it kills him." Mei said.

Mom's smile was… awkward and she couldn't quite bring herself to look Mei in the eyes. Izuku followed Mei to the street where Blacksmith was waiting for them in his car.

"… hi, Mr. Blacksmith." Izuku said.

"Hi, Midoriya. How's the ear?"

"… the hearing aid helps." Izuku said.

They both climbed in the back and Blacksmith started driving.

"… have you been able to recover Sagan's memory?" Izuku said.

"Not yet but I will and when I do, I need you to bring a shovel when we go say hi to that sabotaging bastard." Mei said.

Izuku nodded.

"… I've been thinking… if something happens to the armor again, I'll need some spare equipment. How small can we make the shock gloves?"

"I was thinking something with the baton. For now, we should concentrate on the armor. We need to get the cooling fixed and make the absorption fiber fire proof." Mei said.

Izuku noticed Blacksmith smirking at them in the rear mirror.

"What?" Mei said.

"Nothing." Blacksmith said and kept driving.

When they arrived at Momo's house, Izuku found house to be a too small word to describe it. It was too big to be even called a manor. Castle would have been closer to the truth. A steel fence surrounded the grounds and security stopped them at the gate. Only Izuku and Mei were allowed through when they'd show their invitations and ID's.

"I'll come pick you up at eleven." Blacksmith said before driving away.

Izuku and Mei walked in through the gate. The garden was immaculately groomed and filled with flowers Izuku didn't know the names for.

"… how rich are Momo's parents?" Izuku said.

"Rich enough to take us all with them if they go bankrupt. Now, listen up. When we meet them, start brown nosing. I want their money."

"… okay."

"Just imagine. This could have all been yours if you'd seduced Momo." Mei said.

"… I'll try to live with myself." Izuku said.

"You do that. In the meantime, maybe I'll seduce Momo."

When Izuku stepped inside the… castle, he was left breathless and even Mei fell quiet for a moment. A band was playing at the party. A real band whose songs Izuku had seen topping the charts. The chandelier hanging over their heads had come straight out of a fairytale and the tables were filled with foods Izuku was too poor to even name. All the students from the Hero Course had dressed in their finest and still ended up looking shabby amidst the glamor. Waiters were rushing all round them asking if anyone needed anything.

Izuku looked around but he didn't spot Bakugou or Iida among the partygoers. Not that he'd expected Bakugou to show his face here, but he was getting worried about Iida. Like Bakugou, he hadn't shown to school for a week.

"Izuku! Mei!"

Momo was waving at them. She'd dressed in a red dress and looked more mature than usual. She leaned closer to kiss Mei on the cheeks.

"So glad you could come." Momo said.

"Trust me. If you hadn't invited me, you would have needed more security to keep me out." Mei said.

Momo looked embarrassed.

"I hope it's not too shabby. Daddy tried to get a band from America but there was a scheduling conflict."

Izuku and Mei looked at each other. What world did Momo live in?

"… you really don't need to worry about that." Izuku said.

"Don't be so modest. If anything, this is your party. A Quirkless hero. To be honest, I never thought you'd make it past the first round." Momo said.

"… oh." Izuku said.

"But you did. I've never been so happy to be wrong." Momo said.

The door opened, and Todoroki stepped in. Momo waved at him.

"Hi, Todoroki!" Momo said and then smiled to them apologetically: "I'll see you two later."

Izuku and Mei stared after her.

"Is she really that clueless or just fucking with us?" Mei said.

"… I think she's nice." Izuku said.

"And rich enough that she doesn't need to be. When I'm this loaded, I think I'll be a total bitch to everyone." Mei said.

"… uh… let's go say hi to the others." Izuku said.

Mineta was keeping Tsu, Ojiro and Uraraka company. Or maybe guarding Tsu who was keeping a respectful distance from Uraraka. Mineta and Ojiro were both wearing dark suits but Mineta had ditched normal neckwear for a bow tie. Tsu was wearing a green dress that showed off her sinewy build. Uraraka's dress was pearl grey.

"What's up, homeboys?!" Mei said.

Tsu was about to say something when Mineta cut her off.

"You two are late. They just ran out of gift baskets full of booze and prostitutes." Mineta said.

"What? There were prostitutes?" Uraraka said.

"Calm down, Uraraka." Ojiro said.

"Not until someone brings me a prostitute."

"Uraraka, chill. Let's not ruin this night with a restraining order." Mineta said.

"Playing hard to get doesn't stop me." Uraraka said.

"Are… are you kidding right now? Please tell me you're kidding." Mineta said.

Uraraka just smiled.

"Just keep your hands to yourself around Momo. Groping the hosts daughter is a bit of faux pas." Mei said.

"Don't worry. I dare not touch the sun. Good thing this party is full of pretty things." Uraraka said.

"Frog legs, anyone?"

A blonde student with a condescending smirk offered Tsu a plate of frog legs. She looked at them horrified.

"… I'm good." Tsu said.

"Suit yourself." The blonde student said and ate one: "Mm. Like chicken and fish."

"… who are you?" Izuku said.

The student looked at Izuku like he'd been slapped.

"I'm Neito Monoma."

Izuku and Tsu looked at each other hoping the other would know who he was. No one else in their group had a better memory.

"We faced in the cavalry battle!" Monoma said.

"… you sure?" Izuku said.

"I remember! You're the guy we stole the million-point-headband from." Mineta said.

"I stole it from your valedictorian first." Monoma said.

"Too bad you couldn't keep it. You went down like a punk." Mei said.

Monoma smiled.

"Maybe I should be grateful you didn't get serious with me. Vicious plan to drop the video of Bakugou just before the third part." Monoma said and ate another frog leg: "I wonder if you'd been able to beat him otherwise."

Tsu let out a few croaks.

"Guys like Bakugou are never as tough as they think they are. All they can do is talk." Tsu said.

Monoma's smile grew wider.

"So, the best in 1-A was just a braggart? What does that say about the rest? Even the great Todoroki lost to some Quirkless nobody."

Ojiro had been quiet but now he stepped forward.

"Watch it, Monoma." Ojiro said.

"Or you'll do what? You didn't even have the courage to fight in the finals." Monoma said.

Strong fingers grabbed Monoma's ear and he let out a yelp. Izuku managed to catch the platter with the frog legs before it fell on the floor. A girl with orange ponytail pulled Monoma away.

"Sorry. He gets like this when I'm not around to keep him in check." The girl said and gave them a smile: "Itsuka Kendo."

"… I'm…" Izuku said.

"I know who you are, Indestructible. I know all of you. Looking forward to competing with you." Kendo said.

"What are you doing after this?" Uraraka said.

Kendo looked at Uraraka surprised.

"Going home?"

"Cool. Me too. It's just a bit lonely there on my own. Want to come and keep me company?" Uraraka said.

"… uh… I have to go." Kendo said and dragged Monoma away with her.

Uraraka looked longingly after Kendo.

"You guys scared her off." Uraraka said.

"Did we? Did we really?" Mineta said.

"Don't judge me. Like you're any better." Uraraka said.

"I've decided to give it a try." Mineta said.

"… Uraraka? Uh… why do you want to be a hero?" Izuku said.

"Construction business isn't doing so hot at the moment and… my parents are in the construction business. Once I become a big-time hero, they won't ever have to worry about money again." Uraraka said.

"… oh." Izuku said.

Ojiro was looking at Uraraka with new eyes and even Tsu seemed to have found new respect for her. Izuku could understand. Better than he liked to admit. Mom tried to hide it, but he knew she worried about money and there weren't a lot of job opportunities for middle-aged women who'd dropped out of college to raise a child. The child support covered the bare necessities but…

Then Izuku remembered how expensive Hisashi's suit, watch and phone had been.

That penny-pinching bastard, Izuku thought.

"You're right to be worried." Mei said: "The Indestructible armor could easily revolutionize the construction business."

You could hear Uraraka's mood drop.

"Thanks for the heads up." Uraraka said.

"My pleasure." Mei said.

Uraraka didn't stay down for long and pumped her fist.

"Also, chicks love heroes."

"Okay, that sounds more like you." Ojiro said.

Someone hit a glass with a spoon. Izuku turned to look at the center of the party and saw two people who could only be Momo's parents. They looked like movie stars. Momo had gotten most of her looks from her mother but Mrs. Yaoyorozu carried herself with all the self-confidence Momo could only imitate.

"Welcome everyone! I'm happy to see my daughter has made so many great friends. I trust no one has any objections for a glass of champagne to celebrate the end of the tournament. But just the one. You're minors after all." Mr. Yaoyorozu said.

Waiters started offering everyone a glass of champagne. Izuku took his glass nervously.

"I propose a toast to all future heroes! Who knows. Maybe the next Symbol of Peace is here with us." Mr. Yaoyorozu said.

Mei nudged Izuku's side with her elbow.

"Talking about you, partner."

Momo's parents raised their glasses.

"Cheers."

"Cheers." The partygoers echoed.

Izuku tasted the champagne. It was… dry but sweet. And went straight into his head. He took another sip when Momo appeared to whisk him and Mei away.

"Izuku. Mei. My parents want to speak with you." Momo said.

Momo dragged them to see her parents. Mei was looking forward to the meeting until she saw that Todoroki was already there with them. Todoroki nodded when he saw them.

"Midoriya. Hatsume." Todoroki said.

Mei smiled.

"Shouto."

"Shouto?" Mr. Yaoyorozu said surprised: "I didn't know you two knew each other."

Mrs. Yaoyorozu's eyes narrowed. She looked at Mei and Todoroki like she could see everything that had happened between them.

"We have our history." Mei said.

"And Shouto didn't mention a word about it. Even though we were just talking about you." Mr. Yaoyorozu said.

"Can't imagine why." Mrs. Yaoyorozu said.

"He's always been such a shy boy." Mr. Yaoyorozu said and patted Todoroki on the shoulder.

The affectionate gesture just made Todoroki awkward.

"Momo has told us quite a bit about you. Particularly you, Midoriya." Mrs. Yaoyorozu said.

"Come on, mom." Momo said.

Mrs. Yaoyorozu just laughed.

"And you too, Hatsume. Quite a feat building something like Indestructible on your own."

"Wish I could take sole credit but Izuku helped." Mei said.

"A fighter and an inventor? Easy to see why he and Shouto get along so well. Both so young and accomplished." Mr. Yaoyorozu said.

Mei gave Izuku a sideway glance.

"Do you now?" Mei said.

"I was always afraid that Endeavor was pushing Shouto too far, but it really paid off. He's already a champion." Mr. Yaoyorozu said.

"I didn't win. Not really." Todoroki said.

"You're too modest." Mr. Yaoyorozu said.

"You might have been knocked out, but we must do things by the book." Mrs. Yaoyorozu said.

"Still, I can't wait to see more of this Indestructible. When do you think you could start mass-producing them? I'm sure the military would be very interested." Mr. Yaoyorozu said.

Mei took a long sip of her champagne.

"I'd rather not go down in history as an arms dealer." Mei said.

"An idealist, are we? I like it." Mr. Yaoyorozu said and brushed his perfectly cut hair: "Hatsume was it? You wouldn't be related to that pro hero? What was his name? Shouto. You know the one your father sued?"

Todoroki sifted weight uneasily from one foot to the other. Momo was looking alarmed and glancing at her mother for help.

"Dad… sues a lot people." Todoroki said.

"Yes. He's rough but he gets results." Mr. Yaoyorozu said: "I actually bought the man's house, so he could cover his legal bills. I was thinking about renovating it, but Endeavor advised me to tear it down."

"Momo. Why don't you take your father to meet the other future heroes?" Mrs. Yaoyorozu said.

"Good idea." Momo said and took her father's hand: "Come, daddy."

Todoroki let out a relieved sigh when Momo's father was gone. The band started playing a slower tune that invited people to dance. Todoroki turned to look at Mei and gave her a small bow.

"Would you like to dance?" Todoroki said.

Mei looked at Todoroki like he'd just challenged her to a duel. Then she smiled and took Todoroki's hand.

"Lead the way, Shouto."

Izuku was left alone with Mrs. Yaoyorozu. He fidgeted awkwardly. Were older women his thing now? Mrs. Yaoyorozu looked after Mei and Todoroki.

"Aren't you worried he'll steal your girlfriend?"

"… I… were not… like that. She's my partner." Izuku said.

"Must be a handful." Mrs. Yaoyorozu and took a drink of champagne: "Have you given any thought about your field training?"

"… I… got an invitation from Endeavor. I've… decided to accept it." Izuku said.

"Shouto will be there too. Look after the boy and…"

Mrs. Yaoyorozu glanced around before lowering her voice.

"My husband is a good man but… he sees only the good in people. Even when there isn't much good to see. Be careful around Endeavor."

Izuku blinked.

"… he's the number two hero."

"Power is the ultimate test of man. Endeavor failed his." Mrs. Yaoyorozu said and smiled: "You're a bit too green for my liking but you have determination and brains. Qualities I'd appreciate in a son-in-law."

"… what?"

"What indeed? Have another drink and enjoy the rest of the party, Indestructible." Mrs. Yaoyorozu said.

Izuku was left staring after her as Mrs. Yaoyorozu left to mingle with the other guests.

Someone jumped on his back.

"Midoriya!"

"… Hagakure?"

"You remembered! Quick. Give me your glass." Hagakure said.

Izuku did as he was told and Hagakure poured him more champagne.

"I nicked a couple bottles. All my friends get refills."

"… uh… thanks?"

"I should thank you. For borrowing the weapons. I would never have been able to avenge Kirishima without them." Hagakure said and emptied her glass: "Sorry to hear what happened to your hand. Wouldn't know what to do if I only had one."

"… it's better now." Izuku said.

"Must have been a rock-hard week. If you know what I mean." Hagakure said and poured herself another drink.

Izuku blushed.

"… uh… I managed."

"Well, you're smart." Hagakure said and threw back her drink in one go: "Want a handjob?"

Izuku's mind blanked.

"… yes?"


The band started playing a song that invited the guest to dance. While everyone was trying to gather the nerve to ask someone to dance, Denki Kaminari decided to take pity on them and show how it was done. He offered his hand to Kyoka.

"Shall we?"

Kyoka smiled her crooked smile and took his hand.

"If we must." Kyoka said.

He led them to the dance floor.

"Didn't take you for a dancer." Kyoka said.

"I'm full of secrets. Adds to my mysterious charm." Denki said.

"Do they now? My secrets are bigger." Kyoka said when one of her ear jacks started shaking and she giggled.

"What is it?" Denki said.

"You're not gonna believe this but Midoriya is getting a handjob… no. It just became a blowjob. And he's getting one in the closet." Kyoka said.

Denki lost the beat and almost stumbled off his feet.

"What?! Who… who is it? Is it Todoroki? It's Todoroki isn't it?"

No one could fit more sarcasm into a single raised eyebrow than Kyoka.

"Todoroki?"

"Hey, if Todoroki said he wanted to touch my dick… I'd have to at least weigh my options." Denki said.

"Oh, really? Is there anything you wish to tell me?"

"Don't judge me. Every man has that one guy." Denki said.

"Interesting. And Todoroki is yours?"

"What can I say? He's a sexy, sexy man."

"Can't argue with that but guess again." Kyoka said.

"Is it Mei then?"

"Guess again."

"Tsu?" Denki said.

"Closer." Kyoka said.

"Mei and Tsu?"

"One more."

"… Momo?" Denki said.

"Time's up. It's Toru and… Holy shit. Is she trying to suck the sadness out of him?" Kyoka said.

"Give me that." Denki said and pushed one of Kyoka's ear jacks into his own ear.

They kept dancing while listening.

"Wanna find an empty closet after this song?" Denki said.

"Hell yeah." Kyoka said.


Izuku stumbled out of the closet stunned. For a moment he'd seen dead gods! Hagakure slipped out after him while wiping her mouth and hands.

"See you later, Midoriya." Hagakure said before disappearing into the crowd.

"… uh." Izuku said but she was already gone.

Izuku wandered through the party in a haze. He felt sticky and the champagne had made him drowsy. He…

"Midoriya?"

Izuku almost screamed. Aoyama looked at him alarmed.

"You okay?" Aoyama said.

"… I… you. Yes." Izuku said.

"Good. Got a minute?" Aoyama said.

"… yeah."

This was good. Aoyama was good. He needed a moment to pull himself together.

"… how's the belt?" Izuku said.

"That's what I wanted to talk about. The upgrades worked great. Thanks for that." Aoyama said and rubbed his stomach: "It still hurts but I guess that's because of all the crunches. But they'll only make me more beautiful so that's fine."

"Izuku?"

Tsu was walking up to them and Aoyama did a small bow.

"Good evening, Asui. Did you come to praise my tuxedo?" Aoyama said.

"I… Actually, I was looking for Izuku." Tsu said and looked at him more closely: "Your face is all red."

Izuku was lost for words. Could… Tsu see from his face what had just happened? Aoyama was sifting his gaze from Izuku to Tsu.

"… uh… it's just the champagne." Izuku said.

"Okay." Tsu said.

Aoyama emptied his glass.

"I need to visit the men's room." Aoyama said.

After Aoyama had gone Tsu looked at the dance floor.

"Do… do you want to dance?"

"… I don't know how." Izuku said.

"That's okay. I don't either." Tsu said and took his hand.

Tsu's super strength had to cover more than just her legs and she pulled Izuku after her easily. Jiro and Kaminari had led the charge to the dance floor and now it was packed. Izuku tried to mimic those who seemed to know what they were doing. Tsu was staring at her feet to make sure she wouldn't step on his toes. Occasionally she would steal glances at his tie.

"I like your tie. We match. You look… handsome." Tsu said.

Izuku's cheeks started burning and he forgot all about Hagakure.

"… your dress looks good too. I mean… you look good in the dress… I mean… you're not ugly without it."

Tsu started croaking.

".. something wrong?" Izuku said.

"No… I… it just happens when I'm angry… or happy. Is it… weird?"

"No… it's cute. Are… are you angry now?" Izuku said.

Tsu looked away. There was something reassuring that Tsu felt as insecure as him. It made him feel… bold.

"No." Tsu said.

"… good. Ribbit."

Tsu snorted.

"Stop."

Izuku laughed.

"Stop what?" Izuku said.

"You know what."

"This? Ribbit." Izuku said.

"Come on. You're making fun of me." Tsu said.

"I wouldn't dare." Izuku said.

"Oh? Why's that?"

"You'd kick my ass.

"No, I wouldn't. I could but I wouldn't." Tsu said.

"Good you weren't that hesitant with Bakugou. Ribbit."

Tsu started laughing.

"Stop! Stop being awful!"

"I can't. It might be contagious. Ribbit, ribbit." Izuku said.

They started laughing hard enough that they had to get off the dance floor. Izuku laughed until he couldn't breathe. They kept laughing until he noticed Kirishima sitting in the corner. Kirishima… had always been hard to miss. He was the kind of guy who became the center of attention of any room he walked in but now… he was less than a shadow of himself. He'd been looking miserable all week and Izuku hadn't dared to approach him. Until now. The champagne and what had happened in the closet with Hagakure had made him more confident than when he first put on his armor.

"Tsu… I need to go talk to him." Izuku said.

Tsu nodded.

"Izuku."

"Yeah?"

"What Bakugou said wasn't your fault. Kirishima had to find out eventually."

Izuku nodded and walked up to Kirishima.

"Hi." Izuku said.

Kirishima looked up and gave him a tired grin.

"Hi."

Izuku sat next to him.

"You okay?"

Kirishima looked around.

"I… I was hoping he'd be here. He doesn't answer my calls and I don't know where he lives. It's… I'm worried." Kirishima said and then looked ashamed: "I saw the video, bro. He… he shouldn't have said that shit but… I just wanted to see him."

Izuku sighed. Bakugou had a talent for ruining his evening even when he wasn't here.

"Do you hate him?" Kirishima said.

"… I'd be crazy not to but… hating him hasn't gotten me anything."

Izuku got up and offered Kirishima his hand.

"You shouldn't mope in the corner. Let's dance."

Kirishima looked at him surprised.

"… you sure?"

"It's a party. It's not fair that you're the only one not having fun." Izuku said.

"I'm not very good." Kirishima said.

"Me neither."

Kirishima gave him his first real smile in a week and took his hand. Kirishima was as hopeless in dancing as Izuku was. They got a few raised eyebrows but nothing more.

"Kirishima."

"Yeah?"

"Look… if you're really that worried, I'll take you to meet him. I know where he lives. We… we used to be friends." Izuku said.

"You'd do that for me? You…you don't have to if you don't want to." Kirishima said.

"No one deserves to be depressed because of Bakugou." Izuku said.

"I'm free tomorrow." Kirishima said.

"Then tomorrow it is." Izuku said.

Kirishima smiled.

"Thank you, Izuku."

"You're welcome, Eijirou."


Mei let Shouto lead her to the dance floor. The only ones there at that point were Kaminari and Jiro. They were as ease with each other as only people who boned in public restrooms could be. Shouto surprised her by being a good dancer.

"Didn't take you for a dancer. Is there anything you can't do?" Mei said.

"I had to learn. Endeavor takes me to a lot of parties." Shouto said.

"So, anything besides standing up to daddy. Look at that. The big bad Todoroki is just brow-beaten kid."

Shouto sighed.

"Hatsume…"

"Mei." Mei said.

"What?"

"Call me Mei. No need to be so… impersonal. You're ten years too late for that." Mei said.

"Fine. Mei. I don't want to do this."

"Too bad what you want doesn't matter." Mei said.

"Look. Your beef is with my father. We have that much in common. I think we could be… friends." Shouto said.

"Not just your dad. Your mom as well. And I'm going to wipe everything about them out of the face of the earth. Including their heir. That's you by the way." Mei said.

Shouto's grip grew tighter around her hand.

"Does Midoriya agree?"

"When did you two grow so close?" Mei said.

"I guess there are things that he doesn't tell you." Shouto said and leaned closer to whisper in her ear: "You're a lunatic, you know that?"

"People with small minds always call geniuses mad."

"I know obsessed lunatics when I see them." Shouto said and pushed her away in the middle of the dance: "Thank you for your time."

"I'll send the bill later." Mei said.

Mei snuck herself some more champagne when she ran into Tsu.

"Have you seen Izuku. I wanted to ask him…" Tsu said.

"He's not gay." Mei said.

"… what?"

"You wanted to ask him if he was gay, right? The answer is no. Two on the Kinsey scale, I'd say. Two and a half tops." Mei said.

"… huh?"

"Look it up." Mei said and emptied her glass: "I forgive you."

"For what?" Tsu said.

"For kicking Bakugou's ass. He was the bad guy of Project: Indestructible. All that build up and a side character beat him up. We lost a lot of subscribers."

"My apologies." Tsu said sarcastically.

"No need. I already forgave you."

Tsu just shook her head.

"You're weird but I forgive you for that." Tsu said.

"I love you too, Tsu. Keep being awesome." Mei said.

Tsu smiled and then looked at the dance floor.

"Saw you dance with Todoroki. Did you tell him?"

"Told it to him straight. Didn't seem to make him too happy." Mei said.

"Oh. Ah… well, I'm sorry."

"Don't be. I just had to get it off my chest."

Tsu did finally find Izuku and Mei took a moment to relax and observe the party. Jiro was dragging Kaminari with her off the dance floor and into a more… private place. Tsu finally got that dance with Izuku and looked like she was on cloud nine.

"Hatsume!"

Hagakure jumped on her back and made her spill her drink. She sounded more than a bit tipsy.

"Ooh. Sorry about that." Hagakure said and poured her another drink from a stolen bottle: "You forgive me?"

"Buddy, there ain't nothing to forgive." Mei said.

"Good. I never got a chance to thank you, did I? For making the weapons."

"It's what I do." Mei said.

"And you're the best at it." Hagakure said and laughed drunkenly: "Want a handjob?"

Mei was quiet for a moment.

"I'm good." Mei said.

"Okay. Come find me if you change your mind." Hagakure said.

Hagakure left to find more people who needed their glasses refilled. Then Izuku surprised her by dancing with Kirishima after Tsu. It did a world of good Kirishima who looked a bit more like his usual self.

Mei finished her champagne and walked up to Izuku.

"Want to dance, partner? Or am I not good enough for you anymore?" Mei said.

Izuku smiled.

"Lead the way, partner."

Izuku was a lousy dancer. Something Tsu or Kirishima hadn't been able to fix. That didn't stop her from having fun.

"Was this you're plan, Izuku? Humiliate Bakugou and then steal his boyfriend? And yet you wouldn't be bi-curious for science." Mei said.

"I wouldn't be bisexual with just anyone. If you had suggested Kirishima, I would have considered it."

"Every man has that one guy, huh? Or a dozen in your case." Mei said and grinned when she noticed Kaminari and Jiro returning to the dance floor.

"What?" Izuku said.

"Kaminari and Jiro were boning in the closet." Mei said.

"… what?"

"You heard me. Party's not a party until someone gets knocked up in the closet. I think that's how I was conceived." Mei said.

Izuku winced.

"… me too."

"Ooh, honesty. I like that. Every partnership needs that. You wouldn't keep secrets from me, would you?"

There was a crack in Izuku's new founded self-confidence.

"… no."

"Then you wouldn't keep any secrets from me? About you and Shouto?"

The way Izuku tensed, told her everything she needed to know.

"Mei… about Todoroki…"

"Izuku. Don't." Mei said.

"But he's…"

"The enemy. Izuku. You've done great. You're great. Don't throw it all away for the enemy. The Todorokis are all the same. They act nice and fight dirty. Never forget that. Especially if you're going to Endeavor's agency."

"… did you just threaten to fire me?" Izuku said.

Mei took the lead in the dance.

"What would you do to set things right? With your dad for example?" Mei said.

Izuku didn't know what to say to that.

Once the band gave room to the guest on the stage to sing karaoke the party couldn't end fast enough. Mineta had drank enough refills of champagne to utterly butcher NSP's Orgy for One. He was followed by Hagakure who pulled a surprisingly involved take on Michael Jackson's Thriller. When the clock struck eleven, dad was there to pick them up. Izuku was even more quiet than usual on the way back home. Mei let him think about his position in peace.

After escorting Izuku home, Mei headed back to the car when Izuku's mom stopped her in the stairway.

"Hatsume? Can I have a moment?" Izuku's mom said.

Mei smiled to herself before turning to face Izuku's mom. Come to think of it, Izuku's mom had never thanked her for returning joy in Izuku's life. One could never have too many compliments.

"Sure." Mei said.

One look at Izuku's mom warned Mei that she hadn't called out to thank her. She looked like a… small, furry creature preparing to defend its cubs. The problem with small, furry creatures was that occasionally, they turned out to be wolverines.

"I don't like what you are doing." Izuku's mom said.

"… what?"

"He… he can't hear from his right ear. And all those scars… I don't know how much more he can take. When Izuku is with you… I'm scared. That something horrible will happen. That he might…" Izuku's mom said and wiped her eyes: "When Bakugou blew off that jet pack, I thought he'd die."

"That… that was on Bakugou. Not me." Mei said.

"You remind me of Bakugou." Izuku's mom said.

Mei's eye started twitching.

"What?!"

"Bakugou was once… different. But he always did whatever he wanted and was always dragging Izuku along. I… allowed it because Izuku was at his happiest when he was with Bakugou but…"

Izuku's mom bowed her head.

"Please. Don't let him get hurt anymore. I don't know how much more I can take."

Hot sweat was running down Mei's back. She… she couldn't breathe.

"I… I have to go." Mei managed.

She ran… fled from Izuku's mom. When Mei was sure she wasn't following her, she sat down on the stairs to calm herself down.

You remind me of Bakugou.

You… you think this will change anything? You'll never have a Quirk. Your dad is never coming back.

Mei wiped the sweat off her brow. Nonsense! She was nothing like that barbarian! Bakugou was a psychopath who'd tortured all confidence out of Izuku. She was the one who'd given it back.

He… he can't hear from his right ear. And all those scars…

Mei got up and dragged herself back to the car. When she got in, dad started driving while giving her sideway glances.

"Something wrong?" Dad said.

"No." Mei said and stared out.

"Dad?"

"Yeah?"

"You think I pushed Izuku too far?" Mei said.

"I got pretty banged up too when I was in U.A. Recovery Girl managed to put me back together every time." Dad said.

"That's not what I was asking." Mei said.

Dad stayed quiet and kept his eyes on the road.

"… dad?"

"I don't know." Dad said.

Mei fell quiet for a long time.

"Dad?"

"Yeah?"

"Ever think about Endeavor?"

"Everyday." Dad said.

"What would you do to… set things right?"

Dad's face hardened.

"Anything."

Mei sighed in relief.

"Good. Me too."