an: Big Yakuza 0 influence. 11/10 game btw
Disclaimer: I do not own My Hero academia nor any of its characters. The ownership goes to Kohei Horikoshi.
I hope you enjoy reading!
25th of December
It was a cold Christmas Day, and the snow has yet to fall from the sky. Even when it was the holiday, Tokyo was still filled with people walking around. There was also, no shortage of collections from the Yakuza. The Yakuza are viewed in two different ways. They call themselves a chivalrous organisation. Whilst the police and Heroes alike call them violent and extreme.
"On whose authority? Huh?!"
He punched him in the gut one more time, forcing the air out of his lungs with one strike. He fell to his knees and desperately grasped outwards. His hand managed to grab his leg and he clutched onto it with his life. He looked up the menacing dark-haired Yakuza and whimpered.
"P-please, I'm sorry! I'll never do it again!"
He began to sob, snot and tears mixed to form a sticky mixture which patched onto the Yakuza's leg.
"Get the, fuck. Off. Me!"
He kicked the defenceless man over and over, until he was positive he saw blood fall and stain the concrete.
"Fucking disgusting..."
The grey-suited Yakuza stepped away from the man to light a cigarette, most likely to calm him down before he does anything stupid.
He firstly took off his sunglasses, then pulled a cigarette out of his packet. After adjusting his eyes to the new brightness he stared at the lighting end of the cigarette. After three seconds or so the cigarette was lit, he then put his sunglasses back on and took a long puff. The man that was beaten to a pulp was trying to crawl away and get onto the main street to try and get help. Every movement brought pain to his body, but his fear of the Yakuza behind him was worse.
He was making slow progress, but he was so close. He could hear bystanders talking to each other, and the cheerful children laughing as they played. He grinned, he was so close! Just a little more and he will be free of pain forever. He grasped at the ground to pull his body upwards to the exit but a foot came crashing down onto his fingers. He cried out in anguish and begged for mercy once again.
The Yakuza kept smoking, watching the man beg for his life in disgust. He sighed and crouched down, applying even more weight to his hand. The man screamed, but no one heard him.
"You've caused a lot of trouble for us, Nakamura."
Nakamura nodded fervently to him, wanting to show that he knows he has done wrong.
"What are you willing to give back to us huh?"
Nakamura stuttered, taking deep breaths whenever he could.
"M-My finger! Y-You can have it!"
The Yakuza took one last puff from his cigarette and put it out on Nakamura's head. Nakamura gritted his teeth and tried to hold in his tears, but to no avail. The Yakuza threw the cigarette butt away into a corner of the alley and looked back to the disgraceful human being below him. Nakamura's face is covered in bruises, his right eye is beginning to turn purple and blood has been dripping down his chin and nose.
"The boss doesn't want it. And frankly, I don't blame him."
He got off Nakamura's hand, stopping his suffering for now. Nakamura was a shaken and bloody mess. He almost felt bad for him, but compared to what his boss would do. This was a blessing.
"You have until Thursday to get the boss his money. On OUR turf. Do you understand? No funny business or I'll sink you to the bottom of the river myself."
Nakamura bowed to him now, slamming his head onto the ground with significant force whilst saying sorry over and over. The Yakuza almost walked off but decided to leave Nakamura a parting gift. He turned swiftly and struck him with a kick to the temple, putting him out like a light. After waiting ten seconds or so to make sure he was unconscious, or worse. He walked over to the body to check his pulse.
There. He felt a couple of weak pulses and sighed in relief. He didn't want to create more problems for the family. He then rifled through Nakamura's pockets, taking out money, photos of a family and his phone. He used the phone to dial the emergency number and left it in his bloody hand. He threw the photo on the ground and took all of the money. After inspecting his own hands and suit for any traces of blood he walked back out onto the street and listened to the sirens heading closer.
He walked in the opposite direction of the police and pulled out his own phone to make a call. He tapped Boss and walked to the end of the street. As he was waiting for his call, he suddenly noticed a speck of white in his face and looked up from his feet.
A child ran out of a convenience store next to him and jumped for joy.
"Mama look, look! It's snowing!"
He smiled at the innocence of the child and walked around the small family. He wiped some snow off his head and stood near the side of the road to wait for a taxi. He looked in the nearby shop window and used it as a sort of mirror to fix his dishevelled head.
The ring stopped.
"Midoriya here."
"Boss? I've dealt with Nakamura."
He heard some shuffling in the background.
"And?"
"He promises the money before Thursday."
"Good job."
"Thank you, Boss."
"Continue collections as usual, if anything happens you are not to contact me unless it is an emergency. Any matters will go to Mr Gears."
"Understood sir, Merry Christmas."
He heard a light chuckle behind the phone and smiled at being able to make his boss laugh.
"Merry Christmas Ryuji chan."
\ /
There was a knock on the door and Inko Midoriya was halfway through putting on her apron to begin cooking. She looked to the door and called out to her daughter to get it for her instead.
"Ichika! Can you help me get the door please?"
"Hai!"
Midoriya Ichika put down her pen and turned off her phone. She grabbed a band and tied her dark green hair into a ponytail quickly and with ease. She was clad in sweatpants and a hoodie as it was the Christmas holiday. She made her way out of the room which is filled with All Might merchandise and quickly rubbed her face with her hands to wake herself up.
After judging her look in the hallway mirror, she unlocked the door and opened it with a smile on her face.
"Yes...?"
There was a man stood leaning against the wall, with the same dark green hair like her. He had a chiselled face and wore a black suit with a dark green tie. His cheeks were littered with light brown freckles and he sported a happy grin at her. Apart from his handsome appearance, his face was covered in tiny little scars and a large narrow one on his neck.
"Sup Ichika chan."
Ichika lit up in happiness and tackled him with a hug.
"Onii-san!?"
Her arms enveloped his waist whilst he placed his cheek on the top of her head with a chuckle. She pulled away and held his hands in hers and practically jumped up and down in excitement.
"You're here?! How have you been!? Can you stay?! How is work?! Do you have a girlfriend-!?"
"Izuku?!"
Midoriya Inko made her way over from the hallway and laughed in joy at seeing her son for what seemed years. She joined in with the siblings and the small family had a gentle but loving hug. Inko almost had tears spilling from her eyes whilst Izuku laughed and assured them both that he's ok.
"Oh, my beautiful boy it is so good to see you again!"
Izuku looked saddened and almost held his head down in shame.
"I'm sorry I missed both of your birthday's, I tried to make time but, I couldn't."
Ichika patted her brothers fluffy green head and smiled her brightest smile.
"It's okay Nii-san, we know how hard work is for you."
Inko nodded in agreement and caressed her eldest child's face.
"It's okay my dear, don't you worry about it. Now come inside, it is freezing out here!"
Izuku followed his family into the hallway after picking up the paper bag that he brought with him inside. He took off his shoes and placed them into the area his family has always left vacant for him. Ichika was with him every step of the way, pestering him with little questions and teasing him about getting a girlfriend. Inko made her way back into the kitchen and smiled at the siblings laughing at the subject.
"You always have impeccable timing Izuku, I was just about to make dinner."
Izuku stood up from the sofa and took off his suit jacket, leaving him in a buttoned-up shirt with his tie.
"Let me help mother, It's the least I can do when I'm freeloading."
Inko laughed aloud.
"Nonsense! This is your home!"
Ichika stood up as well and raised her arm high.
"I also want to help!"
They both rolled up their sleeves and surrounded the kitchen, taking appliances off shelves and grabbing ingredients.
Inko was practically radiating happiness and nodded to both of their requests. Soon they were all helping out creating dinner in the small but homely kitchen. The siblings both had the job of washing, peeling and cutting the vegetables and placing them into the pot to make Ichika's favourite Curry rice.
"Nii-san... The carrots!"
Izuku gave a frightened look.
"Shh!"
Inko looked up suspiciously at the siblings with a grin on her face.
"Izuku...?"
"Nothing mother!"
She watched Izuku quickly pour the cut-up carrots into the pot whilst Ichika laughed at her brother's antics.
\ /
The family was gathered at the table now, all had finished eating their dinner and Ichika had just finished her second serving. They talked about their lives, how they were coping and what has changed throughout the year or so he hasn't been home.
"Ichika chan, you want to go to UA?"
Ichika nodded fervently in agreement, stars practically in her eyes. Izuku laughed and egged her on. Inko watched in silent happiness, it was rare for her oldest child to be home. He turned 23 last year and is about to be 24 soon. From what he has said, he has a stable job around Tokyo and is comfortable with sending money back home for the both of them. Ichika turned to him and wiped the excess food on her lips.
"Nii-san can you stay?"
Izuku looked to his baby sister and smiled at her.
"Of course I can! I can stay for a few days before I need to head back to work. The latest I can stay Is the 29th, so I'll miss new years I'm afraid."
For the slightest second, Ichika noticed that he almost looked guilty, but thought against it and grabbed his arm.
"I got you a present! You must open it!"
Izuku was a prisoner in her grasp and looked to his mother for help. She instead just made a shooing motion with her hand and collected the dishes to wash them in the kitchen. Izuku mouthed a quick sorry before being taken to the small Christmas tree next to the TV. Ichika picked up a small box that was wrapped neatly in a white cover. The top was written with "To brother" and a couple of perfectly drawn love hearts.
"Merry Christmas!"
Izuku smiled and took the gift with a swell of love in his heart.
"Thank you Ichika chan."
Ichika grinned and Izuku patted her head as to not mess with her hair. He sat down on the sofa and Ichika followed suit sitting next to him. He slowly opened the present to see a box within, he placed the paper next to him on the sofa and opened the box to reveal silver cufflinks. Both fronts were covered in a dragon sigil and Izuku grinned at the sight of them.
"It was hard getting real ones you know. I even paid for your engraving on the back, look here!"
Following her instructions, Izuku flipped one of the perfectly designed cufflinks. Only to see his name engraved onto the back with meticulous handwriting. "M. Izuku" on both backs.
Izuku held his sister close to him with his free arm and kissed the top of her head.
"Thank you Ichika, they're amazing."
He looked them over again and couldn't help the smile that adorned his face. Ichika sighed in relief and rested against the sofa.
"I was so scared you wouldn't like them! Then I remembered how you always wear suits when you visit so I thought, maybe get him cufflinks? But then I thought that it might be too much since proper cufflinks cost a fortune to get and you would be-"
"Ichika?"
Ichika snapped out of her mumbling and looked to her brother, who still had that smile on his face. Only this time, there was an aura of danger around him.
"How much did they cost?"
Ichika looked at him nervously now and covered her face with her hands.
"2-20,000 yen...!"
"Twenty what?!"
Ichika sputtered in fear and waved her arms.
"I wanted to get you something special since you always get me really good stuff! So I thought..."
She trailed off when she felt her brother's hand on the back of her head, Izuku rested his own head against hers and sighed happily.
"Thank you Ichika."
She broke contact with him and suddenly looked at him with scared eyes. She gripped his shoulders and almost looked intimidating.
"Please don't tell mother about me spending twenty thousand."
Izuku laughed out loud and Inko walked out of the kitchen taking off her apron.
"Twenty thousand what?"
Ichika almost screamed but caught herself by slapping her hands to her lips. Izuku looked to his mother and with quick thinking countered her.
"20,000 people mother. Just a concert I wanted to go to in America, my favourite band was there you see."
Inko gave them both the suspicious look but thought against it and hung her apron up on the wall.
"Alright then, you two can keep talking whilst I go and take a bath okay?"
Both siblings chirped out a yes and after they were sure their mother was out of earshot, laughed. They played some video games on his old console that they kept. Ichika beating him at almost every single game.
After a particularly intense bout of Mario Kart, Ichika suddenly hugged his waist and pouted.
"Are you sure you can't stay longer?"
Izuku gritted his teeth in guilt and held her closer to him.
"I'm sorry, but I can't stay for long."
Ichika broke away and nodded sadly, she missed her brother dearly. He always was the one to listen to her talk and most of the time he joined her with the same vigour she had. They both wanted to be heroes. But somewhere along the way, Izuku dropped his hero course and decided to move to a different city to work. To this day, she still has no idea what he does for a living. He always dodges the question, he promises them that it's not anything horrible and that he was safe. That was good enough for her and their mother.
"Since we're on the topic of presents..."
Izuku got up from the sofa and made his way to the hallway to pick up the bag he left near the entrance. Ichika was looking over the sofa with curious eyes at the bag as he walked in.
"What is it?"
"Open it and see for yourself."
He took a red wrapped present out of the bag and placed it in Ichika's hands. It was no bigger than the box she got for her brother. However, there was an air of luxury to it and it smelled amazing. Like the expensive perfumes, you only get a whiff of when you walk past fragrance shops. Ichika looked up at her brother warily and he only pressed her to open it. She slowly ripped open the red paper to see a black box within. With careful hands, Ichika lifted the top to reveal a Rose Gold bracelet within, resting on a black cushion. She gasped out loud and looked at her brother in surprise.
"And you complain about me getting you expensive stuff?!"
Izuku grinned and sat back down.
"Who has the job here Ichika?"
"That's not the point!"
She went back to the bracelet and examined it carefully. It shined in the light and wasn't too heavy in her hand. She tried wearing it and found that it was a little too big for her and pouted. Izuku laughed and flicked her forehead.
"You're still growing dummy, you'll be able to wear it in a few months tops."
She wanted to cry, this bracelet probably cost more than her present tenfold.
"Don't ask for the price, for your own sake."
Ichika kept inspecting the bracelet, trying to find any impurities to make her feel slightly better about herself.
"B-But!"
Izuku laughed again, enjoying her reaction.
"Merry Christmas, Ichika chan!"
She hugged him again and the tears fell from her eyes, staining his shirt.
"T-Thank you!"
She kept fumbling the band in between her fingers, admiring it.
"It's so beautiful..."
Izuku chuckled and started putting the cufflinks he got on his shirt. After he finished putting them on. He turned to his sister who was now poking the cushion the bracelet came in. Wondering how something could feel so soft to touch.
"How do I look?"
Ichika looked over to see him wearing the cufflinks she got him and grinned.
"Nii-san you look so cool!"
He grinned back at her.
"I bet you would look cool as well when you're in UA with your hero costume huh?"
Ichika puffed up.
"Of course! I'll be the number one hero one day! Watch me!"
Izuku smiled at her enthusiasm and joined her in her hero talk. Inko came out of the bath to see both of her children talking happily and close as ever, as if Izuku has never left them eleven years ago.
"Pfft, I still remember needing to change your diapers. You're growing up too quick!"
Ichika blushed and hit his chest playfully.
"Shut up! That's embarrassing!"
"Ichika! The baths ready for you to use it now!"
The siblings looked over to see their mother fresh out of the bath.
"Okay! Thank you! Talk later Nii-san!"
Ichika ran to her room with the bracelet in hand to get ready for her bath and Izuku prepared the sofa for him to sleep in. Inko came over to help him and brought the extra blankets out of the cupboard.
"Sorry Izuku, it's not as big as our old home."
Izuku shook his head and gave his mother a grin.
"It's okay mother, I don't mind this at all."
"I still have some of your clothes from your last stay, will you be needing them?"
"Yes please, thank you."
Inko went into her room and brought out Izuku's old clothes out. They were emergency clothes just in case he needed to stay over as he usually does. Though, he doesn't visit as often anymore, which hurt her heart deep down. There was no shortage of messages and calls, but there was always something different when you get to see them in person.
"Mother?"
Inko snapped out of her musing and placed the blanket and clothes down onto the sofa.
"Yes, dear?"
Izuku pointed to the paper bag by the sofa and grinned.
"I got you a Christmas present."
"Oh dear, you shouldn't have."
Izuku, who was still rifling through his bag, shook his head.
"I insist!"
He pulled out a large rectangular like box that was wrapped in the same red paper as Ichika's was. She took the gift with a quiet thank you and opened it to see a silver necklace with a heart at the end.
"Oh, Izuku!"
She embraced him and he hugged her back. She was teary-eyed from the happiness she felt and almost broke into a soft sob. Izuku patted her back and they both sat down onto the sofa.
"Thank you so much!"
He grinned at her and sighed happily.
"Merry Christmas mother."
There was a sudden silence.
"Izuku..."
"Y-yes?"
Inko looked at her son with an intense stare.
"Have you been smoking?!"
Izuku gulped down what moisture in his mouth. He thought she wouldn't be able to tell.
"I-I can explain!"
\ /
Izuku took his time in the bath, relishing in how his muscles relaxed under the heat of the water. He closed his eyes and enjoyed the moment. Wishing that he could stay here and have no worries. He shuffled a bit to get into a better position and drew out a long and breathy sigh. He opened his eyes again to come back to the real world and frowned. He got out of the bath and released the water to flow out. He never could get too comfortable, the last time he did so almost cost him his neck. He walked to the mirror in the bathroom and wiped the vapour that covered it. There it was again. That sickening scar on his neck, a constant reminder of his failure. He examined it, turning his head back and forth, left and right. His frown deepened and he turned away to dry himself and put on his nightclothes.
He made sure to dry his hair thoroughly and was still in the process of drying it as he bumped into Ichika, clad in her nightclothes. He looked to the clock that said 22:34.
"Yo Ichika, what's up?"
He kept his voice down, knowing that their mother was probably already asleep when it's this late.
"O-Oh it's nothing! Don't worry about me! Just... Getting myself a drink."
Ichika made her way to the kitchen and Izuku looked at her worriedly. This wasn't like his sister, the bubbly and enthusiastic girl earlier has been replaced with someone sombre and dejected. He put the towel that was still on his head into the basket and trailed after his sister. He leaned against the wall and watched her. She moved slowly, and her eyes were lost. Almost as if they didn't know where to go anymore. She took a sip of her water that she poured herself and then poured the rest out into the sink.
"Ichika..."
She looked over her shoulder to see her brother watching her carefully.
"Come on, tell me what's wrong."
Ichika smiled a sad smile and hugged her brother.
Izuku held her and patted her back to try and comfort her.
"I can't help you if I don't know what's wrong you know."
Ichika shook her head and made her way back to her room, leaving her brother to worry even more. He was concerned for her so he followed her and knocked on her bedroom door. It had the same All Might merchandise on it, saying "Midoriya Ichika". A purchase he's quite proud of all those years ago. He listened for anything but only heard a light shuffling from within.
"Ichika? I'm coming in okay?"
He waited a couple more seconds, just in case she turned him away, only to hear nothing. He took that as the okay sign and walked into the dark All Might museum to see his little sister in bed. She was curled up inside her duvet and he almost laughed at how comical she looked.
"Hey... Ichika?"
He grabbed the chair nearby and pulled it to her bedside. He looked out of her curtains to see the snow falling relentlessly on the ground smiled.
"Yo Ichika, it's a white Christmas look."
Ichika didn't budge at all, he could hear her breathing was forceful so he knew she was still awake. He sighed gently and rested his elbows against his legs.
"Remember when we tried to make a cake for Ma?"
Ichika slowly came out of her duvet to look at him and he smiled at her. Izuku smirked at her and raised his eyebrow in playfulness.
"If I remember correctly, you were the one that forgot to turn on the oven."
She giggled and hit him playfully with her duvet.
"That was you!"
Izuku gasped and pretended to be hurt.
"Was not!"
"You also messed up the icing!"
"I told you I wasn't an artist, you insisted I do it!"
Ichika was in a giggling fit now. After the laughter died down, she looked at him properly and Izuku flicked her nose with his finger.
"Ow!"
"What's wrong?"
Ichika looked downcast again, but this time she didn't turn away from him. She instead pulled the duvet down enough to reveal her face. She had the look of conflict on her face and was seemingly struggling. She opened her mouth to speak only to close it again and rethink her words. Then with conviction, she looked at her brother.
"Why did you quit being a hero, Nii-san?"
Izuku gave her a shocked look and composed himself quickly. Ichika grabbed a hold of his closest hand and massaged it gently with both of hers.
"I was thinking... When I graduate from school and go to UA. I'll have nothing to prove to them."
Izuku kept quiet and listened to her vent out her feelings, he moved in closer and grasped her fingers that was in his hand.
"I'm...I'm still quirkless...Hic."
Ichika started to sob quietly, she didn't bother to hide her face from her brother.
"I-I have no powers... What worth will be to them? When even my brother didn't want to be a hero..."
Izuku placed his hand against her cheek.
"You're the strongest person I know!"
The tears fell against his hand and Izuku's heart almost ripped apart in two.
"Y-Yet! You stopped being a hero! Why?! If it was too hard for you how could I possibly hope to become the number one hero?!"
"Ichika..."
He wiped the tears that stained her cheeks with the back of his hand and waited for her feelings to come to a slow. She cried for a long time and he felt useless. His baby sister was crying and he couldn't even comfort her with his words. He looked out to the snow once again and was shocked to see a shooting star go across the peaceful night sky. Ichika noticed it as well and gasped in surprise. Izuku looked to his sister who was now sat up in her bed and smiled at her reassuringly.
"I did want to be a hero Ichika."
Ichika looked to her brother now, thoughts of the shooting star now in the back of her mind.
"But that hero course, it just wasn't for me. Sure I met some wonderful people, and made some friends that will stick with me forever but..."
He grabbed the duvet that was on the bed and covered Ichika with it. She was staring at him intently, soaking in his words.
"I was always cast aside you know, and I was given a chance to be a Hero my own way."
Izuku activated his quirk. A soft dark green hue covered his entire body, making the darkroom glow in a mossy colour. Ichika can feel his body start to radiate heat and watched in admiration as the hue covered his face, then his whole head. She had dedicated an entire section of her hero book to her brother, naming his quirk "Heat Mode" with his blessing. Due to their mother's telepathic ability and their fathers ability to breath fire, Izuku has the ability to control the heat of his quirk and surround his body with it. The heat was visible and created a sort of shroud around his clothes and body. When Heat mode was on, her brother gains incredible strength and speed. Almost becoming superhuman in nature. He was nowhere near All Might's power and speed but she still thinks they could be great partners if they joined up. He could keep it on for around eight hours or so a day until his body aches in pain, after the ache starts, he needs to rest for at least a day until he can use Heat mode again without trouble.
Izuku looked to Ichika to see her staring in awe and chuckled.
"Someone gave me the option to be the Hero I always wanted to be. Most people will be against it but... This is all I have ever known."
Ichika touched her brother's face and almost winced at how hot it was to touch.
"You will be a hero Ichika."
Ichika's tears started to come back and she placed her head on her brother's chest, disregarding the heat. She has waited for someone to tell her those exact words for years. Hearing them tore her apart inside. As if life has finally given her the chance she always wanted.
"Your time will come, I'm sure it will. Nobody needs a quirk to be a hero."
Izuku held her close but gently, as to not burn her with his heat.
"You saved me after all."
Ichika's tears burst from the dam and fell onto Izuku's nightshirt. She babbled into his chest as she cried and Izuku slowly released control of his quirk. He hugged her properly and didn't care that his shirt was being stained with tears. He rested his cheek against her head was tempted to cry himself.
They sat there in each others company for a comfortable while, Ichika was sat on her bed resting her head against her brother's shoulder and he was sat massaging her arm.
"Want to know what my wish is Ichika?"
"Wish?"
Izuku pointed out the window and a sudden look of realisation dawned on her face.
"The shooting star!"
Izuku nodded, looked at the time and stood up.
"Come on, let's get you to bed."
Ichika looked like betrayal itself and grabbed his arm.
"What?! What about your wish!?"
Izuku laughed and pushed her down which she didn't resist to. He covered her body with the duvet and sat down on the bed next to her.
"Nii-san! What was your wish?"
Izuku rubbed his baby sisters cheek and kissed her forehead.
"I want to be able to witness my little sister become the number one hero."
Ichika smiled at him and fresh tears threatened to spill once more.
"Nii-san... I love you!"
He got up and made his way to the door, he turned around as he was about to close the door and gave her a grin.
"I love you too, Ichika chan! Goodnight."
"Goodnight, Nii-san."
Ichika watched him close the door and then turned over in her bed to get more comfortable. She stayed like that for a while, thinking about what she and her brother talked about. Instead of the frown that she had on earlier, she now couldn't help the smile that adorned her face. She looked over to her table in the middle of the room and just managed to see the box that held the bracelet within. She silently swore to herself, that when she graduates next year. She will aim to become the No.1 Hero, no matter what happens.
"... I wish Nii-san becomes the Hero he wants to become as well..."
She cuddled against the duvet more and finally let the tendrils of sleep claim her mind.
\ /
He was on the balcony smoking when his phone beeped in his pocket. He took his phone out of his pocket whilst letting his lips hold onto the cigarette.
'From Ryuko,'
He smiled at his phone and tapped on the screen. Surprisingly, she's still awake, he thought she would be at home sleeping after spending the day with her family. God knows Heroes deserve their beauty sleep.
'I can't help but notice you didn't say Merry Christmas back asshole.'
He tapped a few times against his screen to type out his response.
'Merry Christmas Ryuko chan, hope u don't miss me too much'
There was a brief pause before she began typing back. Izuku took his time with his cigarette and played with the smoke, creating all sorts of patterns into the cold winter air. The snow has finally stopped falling, creating a soft blanket of white over the city.
'Where are you now?'
Izuku grinned, suddenly feeling playful.
'You want to see me? Ryuko, what would your family think? ;) '
'Answer the question!'
'I made it home to see my family, gave them their presents. I leave them soon though. How's the family?'
'Family are doing fine, my mother still asks about you.'
'Oh?'
'She wonders where that teary-eyed boy with the dark green hair went. I tell her you're doing fine. Unless there is something else you want me to tell her specifically?'
'Tell her that I miss eating her homemade ramen.'
'Duh. Apart from that.'
'Ask her if I have permission to marry her daughter.'
There was an extremely long pause. Izuku chuckled at his phone screen, he can picture her face in his mind. She was probably swept up in a massive blush and thinking of how to calm down. He took one last drag of his cigarette and put it out on the thin coating of snow on the railings and opened the glass door to throw it in the bin. He closed the door again and stayed outside for a little while. Enjoying the quiet and the ambience the balcony brought.
'What?'
She finally responded.
'Is that a no?'
Another slight pause.
'I never said that.'
'A yes then?'
'I never said that either!'
'Then I'll be patient and wait for your answer ;)'
'You're a dick.'
Izuku decided to play nice and changed the subject for her sake.
'When are you next in town?'
'I won't be near for a while. I have a few cases to run North of Tokyo. Want to come with?'
'Me? On an adventure with the Dragoon hero? Count me in.'
'Spoiler alert, it's a drug bust.'
'Does my suffering please you?'
'I should be back around February if things go well. The Yakuza have been quiet lately so there hasn't been as much action.'
He felt an enormous amount of guilt weigh in on him. They were enemies on paper. If he were truthful to the clan, he would abuse this relationship with her. But somethings are just worth to keep around. Ryuko kept on typing and Izuku couldn't help another wave of sorrow crash over him.
'I miss you weirdo.'
Izuku smiled at his phone and sighed sadly. He wants to tell her. So badly. He thought to his family, and how he has to lie to keep them safe.
'I miss you too. Drop by sometime and I'll treat you to dinner.'
'I'll hold you to that.'
'Nothing too expensive I hope. I don't have the wallet of a pro hero.'
"Izuku?"
Izuku looked behind him to see his mother stood by the slightly opened glass door.
"Mother! Don't worry about me, I'll get some sleep soon. Go back to bed!"
Inko stepped out onto the balcony and touched her son's face.
"What about you? You're freezing out here! You're wearing nothing but a T-shirt!"
Izuku was almost tempted to roll his eyes at her, similar to how he always he did when he was younger.
"Don't worry! I can always use my quirk for a quick heat up."
Inko shook her head and grabbed her sons arm and pulled him back in towards the house.
"At least keep yourself warm with clothes Izuku! What will you do if you get sick?"
Inko sat him down on the sofa and put the blanket on his lap.
"Alright! Alright! Ma I get it!"
Inko sighed and looked down to her son, and kissed him on his head before heading back off to bed.
"You get some rest now Izuku. You'll need it."
"Goodnight Mother."
"Goodnight son, and stop with the smoking whilst you're here!"
After Inko closed her door, Izuku looked to his phone to see if any new messages popped up from Ryuko.
'Maybe I can convince you to join me during one of the Hero association parties instead. You can ward off any drunkards. Actually no scratch that. You'll just attract girls over.'
'Ryuko chan, did you just admit that I'm good looking?'
'Shut up, I'm just saying you dress up nicely.'
'You dress up pretty nicely too, the last party had guys all over you. Especially the Sword Hero.'
'Don't get me wrong the guy's nice. But he's not my type at all.'
'What is your type?'
There was another long pause, Izuku made himself comfortable on his impromptu bed and sighed happily when he laid down on the synthetic sofa.
'None of your business weirdo. Get some sleep soon. I miss you.'
'I miss you too, you overgrown lizard. Goodnight.'
'Goodnight.'
Ryuko sent a heart emoji and Izuku found himself staring at it for a while. He's not exactly liking the idea of Ryuko being with someone else and he scoffed at himself for thinking such a thing. It's her life, so it's her choice. If she wanted him out of her picture, she could have done so in a heartbeat.
"A type huh..."
He put his phone down and finally rested his eyes. Giving his mind free roam of his inner thoughts, whilst he tried to ignore them to go to sleep.
