A/N Just to remind you, this is the second part of a chapter, just in case you came here without noticing, so If you haven't read the first part go now, go now.
XOX
And that was how eventful the first month of the year was.
February came, which meant one month left to the entrance exam of U.A.
It was a cold day in Musutafu. The sky was clouded, threatening with rain to anyone who looked at it.
A young man came out of a shop, he was wearing a white tracksuit and was sporting spiky hair of the same color. "Ah~ thank goodness this shop had the material. My project is saved."
It was already raining when he came out. This just gave him a wide grin. "Oh, it's raining. Lucky~" Saying that he pulled out an umbrella. "Now that everything is done, what should I do?" He began to contemplate his options. "Oh yeah. Nee-chan told me about the beach that was recently clean, It's the perfect time to see it for myself. Hm, *Nod* raining while looking at the sea it's the best option." With a decision made, he went to Dagobah beach.
Natsuo didn't expect to find someone else there. And definitely not someone training like crazy in the middle of the rain.
"Isn't he worry about catching a cold?" Natsuo wondered out loud. "Wait… what the heck is that?" He saw something else… like a shadow.
…
…
Izuku was practicing his own fighting style. And what better style than the one based on felines, he was practicing Kung Fu Tiger and Leopard style… …No, this wasn't Kung Fu, that word meant being a master and he was still too much of a novice to call it that.
The boy was shadow fighting at the beach, although he wasn't doing so good. The rain was relaxing, but only that. Learning something like a new fighting style without a proper master was hard…
"Why are you doing this? It's kind of dumb, you know?" Neko interjected.
"It's not dumb. I thought it would be pretty clever, with our Quirk and all that…" Izuku responded.
"No, I wasn't talking about that. What I meant was: Why are you trying to use something that copy… us? We are the real deal, why pretending?" That stopped him right on his track. She was right. "*Sigh* As always, you're pretty dense to notice what is right on your face."
"Hey! That's not true." He tried to defend his pride.
Neko thought on every girl that has come across Izuku's way… "Suuuure~…" She said sarcastically. "Well, whatever. That's not the matter right now. Just relax and let it flow through your body… let your instincts guide you, but stay in control."
The boy closed his eyes and began to take deep breaths. When he opened them again, a shadow was in front of him. The figure took a fighting stance, but Izuku didn't, felines don't do that, they just readied their muscles, and so did him.
When the shadow moved to attack him, he stomped forward and swiped with his right. It was too simplistic, but the end result was… lethal. His tiger swipe even created wind pressure. Nothing like All Might, but more concentrated, telling him that whoever was on the receiving end was going to lose their torso.
He could not continue, if he did, he was going to lose himself… Izuku still needed practice.
"That was awesome!" A voice yelled, catching his attention.
It was some dude with spiky white hair.
The rain stopped, and the clouds uncovered the sun. Maybe it was a good time to take a break.
Izuku looked at the guy and smile. "Thanks! I'm not that great though!" He shouted while approaching the newcomer.
"Sorry for spying, I came to watch the sea after I heard this place was cleaned and found you here." Natuso apologized.
"Don't worry about it." After that, the cat boy turned to see the ocean. "So, what do you think of the view?"
"Hehe. It's breathtaking." The white guy said with a smile.
"Glad to hear that… …I know a better view, wanna see?" Natsuo nodded.
After a little walk, they both sat on top of a boulder at one of the sides of the beach.
They began to chat, and in a short time, they became friends. The conversation continued, and one thing leads to the other until.
"…And now my little brother won't use the quirk of my old man as some class of petty revenge." Natsuo told Izuku with a little of hatred when he mentioned his dad. Talking to the cat boy was really easy for some reason. The original conversation was about Quirks and they somehow ended talking about family.
"I see… Well, I don't know the details of why that is how it is… And no, you don't have to tell me. It's a really personal matter, so I won't pray into it. But…" Izuku patted his shoulder. "I think it would be better for you and your little brother to forget that grudge against your father." Natsuo frowned at that, clearly not liking that suggestion, but Izuku wasn't done. "I'm not telling you to forgive him, just… stop caring. Living in constant anger and hatred may not be good. It will blind you and maybe make you commit the same mistake that you hated so much. Well, don't pay me that much attention, I probably don't know what I'm talking about."
The white-haired guy was astonished. "You… maybe right… I may lose a lot if I let that affect me so much. Thanks."
"Oh, but don't close your mind or yourself to your father. Who knows? He could change someday. He's still a person, and people change." Izuku tried to advise him. The goal of the world's happiness was too far, but making at least one person happy was enough right now. Maybe in the future, if the opportunity presents itself, he can help this family.
"I doubt that would ever happen, but I'll keep it in mind." Natsuo stood up. "Well, it's getting late, and my university project it's not going to make itself. It was nice knowing you, and again… Thanks… Uh… We haven't even exchanged names, hahaha."
"Hahaha. You're right. I'm Izuku Midoriya." The cat boy held his hand out.
"Right" The white-haired dude shook it. "My name is Natsuo Todoroki. It was nice meeting you in person. You're cool, Midoriya."
"Thanks." Izuku smiled. "Eh? In-person?" But on the inside, he was confused.
"You dense sweat cinnamon roll…" Neko facepalmed, this was a little frustrating.
XOX
It was a really nice day. Perfect for a heroine's day off. So, what better thing to do for a young woman than to go shopping. Mt. Lady has been receiving a better payment thanks to a certain cat boy pushing her to take any case available.
So, it was time to treat herself, however when you go shopping you need a slave to carry your stuff, and who's better than the annoying brat who has pushed you through hell.
That was why Izuku was at the mall today. Right now, they were having lunch.
"Fwaa~ Hamburger from time to time it's so good. It's tastier this way!" After saying that, Mt. Lady gave another bite to her tasty guilty pleasure. "Am I right or am I right, Izuku?"
"Don't talk with your mouth full." Midoriya scolded her.
"Tsk, relaxing for a second won't kill you, all right? And stop treating me like a kid, I'm the adult here." The blond clearly didn't like his attitude.
"Well, when you act like this is when you look like a kid the most." The heroine pouted at that. "Haha, I'm just messing with you, Yu. You look cuter this way anyway." He gave a bite to his burger.
Even if it did not look like it, they were in pretty good terms, they were even on first-name basis.
Yu noticed a piece of food on his right cheek, and smile mischievously. "Look at you, trying to act so mature and cool, yet you're committing such a rookie mistake." She cleaned it with her finger to then eat it herself.
His face went red for multiple reasons. "Why this always happens to me…?" He tried to cover his face with his hand. "And don't do things like that, people are going to think we're a couple or something."
"Like if I care for something like that. Let them think whatever they want." Yes, she didn't mind, on the contrary, she would be happy if they think that.
"*Sigh* W-whatever…" the blush on his face didn't go away.
They finished their meal and went outside.
"Oh yeah! That hit the spot!" Yu exclaimed. "Okay then. I'll go buy some clothes. I'll see you in an hour at the fountain." She informed him.
"Hard to believe." He said with a deadpanned face. During this time, he has gotten to know her better, he has come to lose respect for her, so he no longer hides his thought from her, letting out a rare side of himself. And surprisingly, thanks to this, their relationship grew naturally.
"Hey! Not all women take forever to choose some clothes."
"Yeah, yeah. I guess you have a point. What's the point on deciding what to buy, when everything will look great on you?" He smiled at her, turned around and walk away. "See you in an hour then."
Now was Yu who blush profusely. "Idiot…" Izuku always knew what to said to make her flustered.
"Now, what should I do?" Izuku roamed the mall without a clear destination. "More importantly, what I'm going to cook for dinner? Yu is so picky when having the same food twice and she's a hard learner for the recipes."
Like an answer to his prayers, a restaurant caught his eyes.
"Bon Appétit." He read the name of the restaurant, a simple name, but it gets the point across. "French cuisine…? I've never tried it. Could I even ask them for recipes?"
"Oh? You're interested in cooking?" A voice called his attention.
Izuku looked at his side to find a teen about his age. The young man had slick blond hair, which got shorter the further down his head it went, with bangs hanging over his right eye. His eyes were purplish-blue. He had a contemptuous smirk. And with his choice of clothing, Izuku thought he was some kind of model.
"Oh, sorry, where are my manners? My name is Neito Monoma." The now named, Neito, held his hand up.
Izuku shook it with a smile. "Izuku Midoriya. And actually, yes. I want to make something for someone. But I was wondering if they would let me have some recipes." The cat boy confessed.
"I see. Well, the best way to learn is if you taste them first hand. I was actually going to have lunch here. Want to join me? I could tell you how to make some of the dishes while we're at it." Monoma proposed to the feline kid.
"Eh? Are you sure? I don't want to impose."
"Don't worry about it. Having company from time to time it's a welcome experience." The blond insisted.
"Then I pay for everything as a way to thank you," Izuku said.
"I have to decline, but I appreciate the thought, Midoriya-san. I'll pay for my orders." Neito refused. "Shall we enter then?" Izuku nodded.
They began to know each other. Although Monoma true objective was to judge the famous boy who was in the mouth of everyone. He soon realized that the cat boy wasn't a prick with delusions of greatness. He was actually pretty chill.
"I see. You want recipes for simple dishes…" Neito trailed off. Izuku nodded. "Then how about you try 'Ratatouille', or maybe 'Croque Monsieur'. 'French onion soup' is a good option too. Perhaps 'Coq Au Vin' to go with the Ratatouille." The blond looked back at Izuku, just to find him with a little notebook and pen in hands, and sparkling eyes. Monoma could help but to giggle at that.
After the great meal, Izuku stood up to leave. "Thanks again for everything, Monoma-san."
"It was my pleasure. Take care, Midoriya-san." Neito waved his hand from the table.
Before the cat boy could exit the restaurant, he bumped into someone. It was another blond guy whit a feminine face, his bearing was that one of a young prince. "I'm sorry, I wasn't looking." Midoriya apologized immediately.
"OK, ne t'inquiètes pas de ça." The blond answered in French with a smile. Izuku couldn't understand, but judging by his body language and expression, he assumed he told him to not worry about it. Well, it was literally what the blond said, surprisingly enough.
"Again, I'm sorry." He bowed his head and head out, not before he heard the waiter said something.
"Ah. Aoyama-san, The usual, yes?" The waiter asked, recognizing the regular.
"Oui." The blond answered.
Izuku continued with his roaming. "Hm~ I still got fifteen minutes…" Before he could continue, his ears twitched, picking a commotion in front of one of the shops. "What's happening?" He moved to check it out.
…
…
"Tsk, I knew I shouldn't have come to buy the game here." Thought Shuichi Iguchi. He was a young man who stood out from the rest of the people thanks to his Quirk. He had a reptile appearance. Bright green scales covered his entire body and his long purple hair didn't help either.
"You filthy creature. You think you can steal from me?!" The shop owner yelled at him. The man decided to make a scene outside of his shop, and now they were surrounded by people.
"Ha?! What are you talking about I wasn't—" Shuichi tried to defend himself, but the owner didn't let him speak.
"Silence! You're not getting away with this! You not only tried to rob me, but you also scared my clients! How unspeakable!" The overweight owner continued.
The people around began to gossip about him.
"I should've stayed home. They're always like this. Always judging me by how I look!" It was frustrating. "Nobody has ever believed me—"
"What's happening here?" A new voice stopped his train of thoughts.
When the reptile man looked up, he found a boy with cat features. "have I seen him somewhere?" Shuichi thought. The kid looked familiar.
"This… abomination tried to steal a game from my store." The owner spoke.
Shuichi noticed the twitch of the boy's eyes when the man said abomination.
"It's that true?" The kid asked him.
That caught the reptile man by surprise. "O-of course not! I—"
"Don't try to lie, you monste—" The store owner interrupted him, but he was also interrupted.
"Shut up, will you?!" The boy snapped at the overweight man. "I don't like one bit how you refer to him! He is a person and deserves to be treated with respect! And let him talk for God's sake! We need to hear him before throwing any verdict in the air!" Being scolded so harsh for someone with half your age has to suck. Some of the spectators gave a step back or looked down in shame. "I ask again. Was that true?"
"N-no. I have the money right here." Shuichi showed him the cash in his hand. He was still a little bit stunned from when the kid defended him. "T-this guy just looked at me and began to make a scandal."
"I see… What do you have to say about it, sir?" Izuku asked the owner. His emerald eyes were burning through him. If he lied, the cat boy would new right away, and the owner knew. That was why he kept silent. "I'll take your silence as like what this man right here told us is true." A frown appeared on his face. "So, you wrongly accused someone just because of his appearance. Is this really acceptable in the mall? I should talk to the manager about it. Because I think this is not the way of treating any of your clients."
"No! please, wait!" the owner stopped him. "I-I was wrong, I'm sorry. This won't happen again… …I-I know! I give you that game for free as an apology." He turned to Shuichi.
The reptile frowned. "You know what? No, I don't want your pity. Just take the money." He shoved it on the man's belly while taking the game. "I won't come here ever again."
And with that, the multitude began to scatter.
"Thanks for helping me," Shuichi said to the cat boy.
"Don't worry about it." Izuku smiled at him. "Though I can't believe people like him still exist. I have to do something about it for a better world." He muttered the last part.
"Anyways, Thanks again." The reptile man bowed, then turned around to go home. He was really happy that at least there was one person who didn't judge him as everyone else did.
Izuku turned around too, just to find Yu there smiling at him. He looked to the side in shame. "Sorry, you have to see me like that…"
"Ha, what are you talking about? That guy deserved it" She giggled.
"Still, I hope I could've done it without getting angry." He picked up the bags at her sides and began to walk. "Let's go. This is everything right?"
Before he could make it any further, he was pulled into a hug from behind.
"Hng~ What am I going to do with your maturity and cuteness," Takeyama said while squishing him, to finally rest her chin on top of his mossy hair.
"Yu, what are the other people going to thin—"
"I like you…" That froze him. "And I'm not joking…" It had happened in the blink of an eye. She unexpectedly fell for him. There was something about him that was just that great.
"I… wasn't expecting this…" Izuku confessed.
"Ha? Weren't the signals clear enough?" she asked.
"Well, yeah. But we men tend to think that whatever a woman does is a signal, and then we end getting crushed. You can't blame me… also, this is a first for me… a woman's confession…" Izuku was trying his hardest to not freak out.
"Eh~ So I'm your first…" That gave her some joy.
"Also, Am I not too young?" Izuku asked. "Don't get me wrong, I'm not rejecting you or anything…"
"I know, I know. You're still a minor…" She trailed off. "Damn, why do you have to be so mature on the inside and not outside? Grow up faster, will you?"
"T-That's not how age works, Yu." A droplet of sweat went down his temple. The typical Yu… "Also, why telling me this if I'm still a minor?"
"To get the point across. I wouldn't be surprised if there are other women feeling the same as me for you." Izuku couldn't think that was possible. "And I won't be surprised if there will be more on the years that will take you to be legal." Izuku couldn't help but think that the last phrase sounded wrong. "So, this it like a declaration of war for you to bear in mind." She finally let go of the hug. "Let's go home."
"Why does that have a different meaning for me right now?" Izuku asked while walking.
"Hehe, so you're considering living me? You could be my househusband. You're practically already." Yu teased.
Izuku just stood silent while trying to hold his blush. "Tsk, women are men's downfall…" Yet, he could help but smile. "And the only one worth the risk…"
He couldn't believe his first confession was so unceremonious, but that was who Yu Takeyama was.
XOX
A new month has come and there were only two weeks for the entrance exam.
"Agh, I'm lost. Where was that shop?" Izuku looked at a paper in his hand.
He was on the West side of Musutafu because Mei had sent him to buy a rare tool for one of their babies, but he couldn't find it anywhere.
"Did Mei give the wrong address? Seriously, where is—" He abruptly stopped when his ears picked something. He began to look around frenetically. "Someone… is crying! Where?!" What he had heard was sobbing. His task of finding the shop was forgotten immediately.
When he picked the direction of the source, he rushed to it.
He found a little girl, probably around 4 years old. She had brown hair tied into pigtails and was wearing a yellow dress. She was sitting while hugging her legs, sobbing.
Multiple questions popped in his head. Why was she crying? Was she hurt? Where were her parents? Did someone do this? Etc.
He crouched on one of his knees, kept his claws hidden, and remind himself of not showing much of his fangs. The last thing he wanted to do was scare her.
"Hello? Are you okay?" The girl stopped sobbing and raised her head to look at him. She stood there, silent. "Are you hurt? Do you need any help?" He smiled at her.
"I… I can't find mom and dad. *Sniff*" She finally talked.
"So, she is lost. Well at least is not something worse." He let out a mental sigh. "Want me to help you find them?"
Her sand yellow eyes lighted up when she heard that. "W-would you help me find them, big bro?"
"Of course. I'm a hero after all… … Not a pro one, but I like to think I'm one. And a hero would never let someone cry." Izuku smiled again and so did she. "I'm Izuku. What's your name?" Instead of extending a hand to help her get up, he extended his tail. It was less scary and a lot fluffier. He was really proud of his tail.
"Hokoru." She grabbed his tail and got up. "Woah… so fluffy~" She patted his tail.
"Then, Hokoru-chan, shall we go and find your parents?" The little girl nodded happily. "Though, I don't even know where to start. And I don't know this part of the city too well." Izuku was conflicted. Before he could ask the little girl where did she saw them last time, someone else spoke.
"Hey, do you want a hand with that, fam?"
Izuku and Hokoru looked at the newcomer. It was a girl in a high school uniform. Izuku read the logo which said: 'Shiketsu High School' "Wait that's the second-best hero academy just behind U.A." Izuku thought.
The young woman had fawn-colored hair that reached just below her shoulders and large, dark brown eyes. She had noticeably full, plump and glossy lips and a figure that most girl, young and old, would kill to have. On top of her head, she was sporting Shiketsu's signature hat.
It made sense to find a student from said High School when it was located in this part of the city.
"Uh… Yes, I would actually appreciate. I don't know my way around this area." Izuku answered the question.
"Cool. I, like, totes know this area." She smiled. "It would be pretty bad if people suspected of you going around with a little girl alone."
"I… I guess you're right. Thanks." He returned the smile. "She talks weird… I like it."
"No props, my dude. Though… Now that I look at you…" The young woman began to eye him up and down. "Yep, I don't think anyone would suspect of you even without me."
He and the little girl shared a confused look. "Uh… Sorry I don't get it."
"Eh?" Now the fawn-haired girl was the one who had a confused look on her face, just to be replaced by a smirk of amusement a second after. "OMG, don't tell me! You actually don't know who you are?!" The confused look on the cat boy was all the answers she needed. "Pff-hahaha~ OMG, that's so funny! LMAO!"
"I'm sorry, but I seriously don't know what you're talking about," Izuku informed her.
"I'm talking about this!" The girl took out her phone and shoved it onto Izuku's face.
Izuku noticed that Hokoru wanted to see too, so he crouched for her. When he saw what it was on the screen, his mind was blown away. "What?!" He shouted.
The internet page was titled: 'Izuku Midoriya's Fanclub'. And there were more than two thousand people in it. It also was titled: 'The people's hero'.
"Oh~ Big bro is amazing." The little Hokoru said with sparkles in her eyes.
Izuku scrolled down. Apparently, this Fanclub was founded when he saved that floating baby and was expanded with other stuff about him. There was a video of the commercial he did, where most likely they got his name from. There was also a video of when he helped that lizard dude in the mall, and apparently, someone uploaded photos of when he a Kirishima entered that burning building, months back before this page was created. The pictures were only of him and not Kirishima, he thought his red brother deserved some recognition as well, but he was glad that at least he wouldn't be dragged into this mess.
"Now you get it? You're famous, my guy!" The Shiketsu student stated. He was especially famous between females due to him appearing almost naked on the commercial, though she couldn't say that to him or else she would have to confess she was also one of them too. "There is even a chat where people discuss your heroic deeds and compare them to the ones of other heroes."
All of this was too much to process. He didn't know what to do.
"Oh, I got an idea." The young woman said while taking back her phone. "Say Cheese~" She posed with a peace sign while taking a selfie of them. "Cutie pie can you tell me your name?" She asked the little girl while taking a photo of her alone.
"H-Hokoru." She answered nervously.
The student began to type furiously on her phone. Izuku, on the other hand, didn't like that. This was not the time for taking pictures. However, before he could protest. "And… done!" She gave him her phone again.
It was a new post. It read: "Look who I found in the street! And helping a little girl none the less. Man, I'm telling you, he's too pure for this world." Then appeared the selfie of them. "Can you believe he didn't know we existed? LMFAO!" He continues reading. "Also, this little angle right here is Hokoru." It showed her picture. "She's lost and we're going to find her parents. If anyone knows something about her, can you like, let us know? It would be of great help. Wish us luck. Love ya!" She finished with three kiss emojis.
Now he couldn't be mad at her after seeing what she did.
The answers were immediate. Some of them wanted to say hello to him, others were jealous of the girl, but everyone apologized for not knowing anything about the girl, some of them tried to research about her but to no avail.
"Hm… that's too bad." The girl said, disappointed. "Well, that means we should do this the old fashion way. Don't worry, we're going to find them!" She reassured the little girl. "BTW, my name is Camie Utsushimi. Just call me Camie. Good to meet ya!" Camie was very cheerfully and bubbly.
Izuku smile. "You probably already know, but I'm Izuku Midoriya. Izuku is fine then. Nice to meet you too, Camie-senpai." He extended his hand which she shook enthusiastically. "We should also look for a police officer to help Hokoru find—"
"No!" The little girl interrupted him. "I don't wanna! Big bro promised me to find them together!"
Izuku crouched and patted her head. "Okay. A hero never breaks their promises, so I will help you find them no matter what."
After that, they began their quest. They play with the little girl on their way to keep her happy. From others' perspective, if you took out the fact that they were teenagers, they three looked like a family.
An hour of search became three, and soon the hopes of finding the parents became grimmer and grimmer, until.
"Ah!" The little girl exclaimed from her spot at top of Izuku's shoulders. "Mom and Dad work here!" She pointed at a little commercial street.
Izuku and Camie smiled at each other.
They walked through the street while Hokoru called for her parents. At some point, the little girl remembers where was their shop located.
When they arrived… …It was closed. In fact, It didn't seem to have opened in a long time.
Camie began to sooth the little girl while Izuku stood there asking himself questions until his ears caught something. It was the gossip of people who saw them. Some thought they look like a couple, other thought that they were too young to have a daughter and disapprove of them, and others… …
Izuku's eyes grew in horror, but he played it cool.
"Camie-senpai." The two girls turned their heads to look at him, but his eyes were covered by his hair. "You should go home. It's getting late and I would hate if you were to go to your house alone. I can help Hokoru to find her parents on my own."
"Eh? But I thought you didn't know your way arou—" She tried to protest.
"I already learned it. And besides, I think I know where her parents are…" He said.
The Shiketsu student knew something wasn't right, but she couldn't refuse for some reason. She just stood there, watching them leave the commercial district. Camie bit her lip and began to jog after them.
[Aimer – Words]
Izuku stopped at an empty children's park. He entered it and sat down on the ground, and put the little girl on his lap.
"Big bro?" She asked, confused.
"Hey, Hokoru-chan… can you tell me… where do you live right now?" That question caught her by surprise, but instead of answering, she looked down in embarrassment. "You… live in an orphanage… right?"
The little girl refused to look at him in the eyes.
Camie, who was behind a tree listening to them, covered her mouth to suppress a gasp from leaving it.
"Why did you escape?" The cat boy asked. This was the reason why she didn't want to be left with a police officer.
"Because everyone said that mom and dad abandon me!" She yelled. "They said they didn't love me! I want to prove they're wrong! Everyone is wrong!" She realized she just lashed out at the only person who was helping her, and regret overtook her face. "I-I'm sorry! Please don't hate me…"
Izuku placed a hand on top of her head. "There's no way I can hate you." He smiled at her. "So, no one has told her…" He wanted to clench his fist, but right now wasn't the moment. He didn't know how to do what came next. "Hokoru… Your parents were…" He bit his bottom lip. "They were attacked by a villain a month ago, and they didn't… *Sigh*" He stopped for a second. "She needs to know! So, spit it out! Even if she hates you for it!" He pushed himself. "They died…" He finally said it. He had heard it all from the people in the commercial district. No wonder why he couldn't find the shop which sold the tools he was looking for; it was from their shop.
From Camie's eyes, tears began to fall but she refused to cry. Now she knew why Izuku didn't want her to be there.
"N-no… you're lying! Big bro is a big liar!" She screamed while tears began to come out of her eyes as she hit him with her tiny fists.
"I'm sorry…" Izuku apologized. He wanted to tear up, but he couldn't, not now. He hugged her as her cries became louder and louder. "I'm so sorry for not being there to save them…" He apologized again. The cat boy perfectly knew it was impossible for him to be there to save them, but it was still frustrating… to know that even right now, there were people out there suffering and without anyone to help them.
"Did mom and dad really love me?" That question almost crushed his heart. He only could assume they were never at home.
He immediately opened his mouth to say yes, yet the words didn't come out. He didn't want to give her empty words of hopes. It was so frustrating. "I want to save her… …I want to help her. No… I need to help her!" Then, a foreign image came to his mind. An image of people he didn't recognize, people he hasn't met in his life. "Yes!" He said. "Yes, they loved you with all their heart." Those words came out without him knowing he was saying them.
"R-really? How do you know?" The little girl asked.
"Because I know your parents," Izuku told a lie… was that really a lie? "Your mom's name is… … and your dad's name is… … They look like… …" He described two people he didn't know about.
"T-that's mom and dad!" The little girl exclaimed.
"Yeah. And they… …" He began to tell her about her parents. What they did. Their antics. And how much they loved her… "How… how do I know all of this?" He asked himself… The images played in his head like a movie. "And why does it hurt so much?" Something inside of him really hurt, like if something was being burned. "It hurts… It hurts. It hurts! But… where does it hurt? Why does it hurt?" He didn't know. Even though he was suffering an indescribable pain on the inside, on the outside he continued smiling while telling everything he knew about those parents he hadn't met. Making the little girl happy.
Neko was covering her ear, trying to not listen to his screams of pain. She knew the reason for all of this, but she couldn't do anything about it right now. The feline could only wait for it to be over soon… It did not.
Unknown to the three people in that park. Izuku's tail had changed. From the middle to the tip, it looked like it was made of green ominous fire, flickering to the wind.
An hour and a half later.
Izuku paused for a second and then smile again. "This collar was from them…" Midoriya touched the bell on his neck. He could see Midnight buying it from their shop. They sold a wide variety of things. The cat boy took it off and put it around her wrist. "It has a charm, you know?" The little girl looked at the bell with wonder. "Whenever you feel alone… Make the bell sound, and you could feel your father and mother by your side…"
Hokoru made it sound immediately and for some reason, she felt warm. The wind blew next to her ears and she was able to hear a whisper. It said 'Farewell, my dear'.
"As long as we don't forget them… The people we love are not gone…" Izuku said. Uncontrollable tears began to pour down her cheeks. She clutched his shirt tightly and began to cry. The boy hugged her as he contemplated the orange afternoon sky. "I wish… someone was there too… when my world crumbled." At long last, the internal pain was gone. "When was the last time I heard dad's voice…? When was the last time I saw his face…?"
After some time, Izuku stood up with the girl in his arms. She had cried herself to sleep. The cat boy then walked to a tree.
"Camie-senpai, do you know where is her orphanage?" He asked the tree.
"So, you knew…" The Shiketsu student came out. Tears were still in her eyes. "It wasn't my intention." She swiped her tears away. "I'm sorry you had to see me like thi—"
Before she could properly apologize, Izuku was already nuzzling his forehead against hers. His hands were busy to pat her and his tail felt sore for some reason, so he used the only thing available to soothe her. "There's no need to apologize. Senpai is a kind person, it can't be helped."
"The only kind person here is you." Camie thought she wasn't embarrassed for his actions, it wasn't their intention. "You know that could have gone a lot worse, right? She could have ended hating you." She talked, already calm.
"Yeah, I'm conscious about it." He said, giving a smile to the dormant girl. "But…" That caught the young woman's attention. "If I end being hated… Even if I end being the villain of the story… As long as they can have a happy ending… I'm fine with that. It doesn't sound that bad, don't you think?" He spared her a smile.
It was then and there that Camie realized something. Early she said he was too pure for this world as a joke, but now she couldn't think of that as such.
After a little walk, they spotted the place they were looking for. An old nun was on the gate, looking very worried. Her worry faded away when she saw the girl in his arms.
"Good evening, sister. We found Hokoru, so we have brought her back." Izuku spoke.
"Oh, thank goodness! We were so worried." The nun said, rushing towards them.
"Hey, Hokoru, wake up… We're here." The cat boy patted gently her cheek.
After wiping away her sleepiness, she stood next to the nun. "Thanks for everything, big bro…" She smiled. "Will… Will I see you again?"
The green head crouched and petted her head. "Of course, I'll come and play from time to time. And that's a promise and a hero…" He pulled out his right pinky.
"Never breaks his promises!" The little girl intertwined her pinky with his and smiled.
"I'll totes come and play too pinky promise." Camie did the same.
"Now, Hokoru, go inside. It's late, go straight to bed." The nun told the little girl.
The infant nodded and ran back at the building, then stopped on her track, turned around and waved at them. "Big bro, big sis, bye-bye!"
Izuku and Camie waved back.
When she turned around to go inside, Izuku's eyes grew in astonishment as two figures made out of a green mist appeared next to the little girl. It was a man and a woman. They both bowed to him as some kind of thanks, then they began to fade away. The mist entered the bell on the little girl's wrist.
He looked around, but apparently, he was the only one who saw that. "What… was that?"
"I can explain… but not now… too… tired… see you tomorrow." Neko responded just to fall asleep afterward.
"Thanks again for bringing her back." The nun bowed. "I'll wait here for the person who went out searching for her. Have a good evening. God bless you."
Izuku nodded. "Thank you. Also, sister… She already knows about her parents. I know she wasn't told to prevent her pain, but kids are not stupid, they need to know what is truly happening." The sister bowed again as an apologize. "In three years, when I become a true hero… If she's still here, I'll take her with me, along with everyone who remains here… That's a promise…" The nun who was still bowing shed a tear. Izuku then turned to his companion. "Well, I think here is where we depart, Camie-senpai." He said to the Shiketsu student.
In response, she hooked her arms with his right. "You said you would hate to send me alone so late, right?"
"I… I guess I said that, didn't I?" Izuku smiled.
"Oh, I know! How about we have a date? It would be so lit!"
"Eh? Right now?" He couldn't believe her words.
"Of course! This is gonna so sick, fam! Let's go! We don't have all night" She began to pull him away.
"L-Let's not do something outrageous okay?" He began to sweat. The cat boy couldn't help but think that yet another problematic girl has appeared.
After they were gone, a figure ran towards the nun and stopped while panting. "Sister! Do you know anything about Hokoru? Did she return?" The voice of a woman spoke.
"Ah~ Konako. Yes, she was just brought back safe and sound by some people." The nun responded with a smile.
"Really?! Thank goodness…" The woman let out a sigh in relief. If someone dared to do something to the little girl… She would tear the person's heart in the next days. "I need to see her." She and the sister rushed inside.
When she entered, some of the kids who were still awake, lit up when they saw her. "Dusty-nee-chan!" One shouted while running towards her.
She picked the kid up. "Hey, I told you not to call me that." She smiled none the less.
"Eh~?! But we gave you that cute nickname!" A girl complained.
Dusty Ash sounded cute, but it was still the name of a villain…
The white-haired woman went to see the girl she had spent all day looking for around the city… "Thank goodness…" All her stress was blown away when she saw the girl sleeping soundly.
"Konako, you should sleep here tonight." The nun said.
"No, don't worry sister. The boys and I are still working on a project, so I need to go back." The white-haired woman declined with a smile. "Also, do you need anything? Clothes for the kids, toys… Do you have enough food? You know money it's not a problem."
"No, don't worry." The sister declined. "*Sigh* You three, are always working so hard. Without your help, I don't know where this place would be."
"Don't say that. You know this is our only true home. We can't repay you and this place enough." Ash reassured her mother figure. "Well, I guess it's time to leave." After she said goodbye to the nun and the kids, she went out and took out her phone.
"Hey, Ash." Gust Boy answered. "Did you find the little cringe nugget or do we have to go out to look for her too? The boss was threatening with burning the city if something happened to her and I don't think he was joking."
"No, that won't be necessary. Someone found her and brought her back safe and sound. I'm going back, so tell the boss." She hung up the call. "Oh, I didn't ask the sister for the person who saved Hokoru… …Whatever, I'll do it next time I come. I need to reward that person somehow though." With that final thought, Dusty Ash went back to her 'work'.
XOX
Izuku arrived home after his quick date with Camie.
"Izuku, welcome back." His mom came to greet him. She was immediately wrapped into an embrace. "I-Izuku?! What happened?! Is there something wrong?!" She freaked out.
"I just wanted to hug you… I love you, mom…"
His words calmed her down as she hugged him back. "I love you too, Izuku."
"I need to do a call." The boy ended the embrace and went to the phone.
After putting the number in and a few minutes of waiting, someone picked it up at the other end of the line. "Hello?"
"Hey… dad…" Izuku answered.
There was a paused at the other end. "…Izuku?! Hey! How is my little hero doing?! Man, I couldn't even recognize your voice!" Hisashi Midoriya was excited.
"Hehe… I… wanted to hear your voice…" The cat boy said.
"Yeah… me too. You sound like you have really grown up… …Did something happen?" Even after all these years, even though they just talked for mere seconds, Hisashi could already tell that something had happened to his precious boy. That was just how being a father worked.
"I got a Quirk…" Izuku informed him.
There was another paused. "…Wait, what?! You got a Quirk?! What is it?! Can you breathe fire like me?!"
Izuku couldn't help but laugh, his father was more of a child than him. The cat boy spent the rest of the night catching up with his father.
Also, Inko spent the night trying to stop crying over how much her baby boy has grown.
XOX
The next day Izuku woke up in his bed like every other day, yet something was wrong, he…
"Ahgg… I don't want to move… It's there a way to not live but to not die either…?" He didn't want to do anything.
"Yes, and it's called a coma. Thing you were really closed to enter to, you dumbass!" Neko yelled at him.
"Why the suddenly aggression? And what are you talking about?" Even thinking was tiresome.
"Oh great! You don't even have any idea. That's just great." The feline wanted to tear apart this kid she loved so much. "Yesterday you broke my lock in order to make happy that little girl." She let out a sigh, trying to calm down. "Do you remember when I told you there were other abilities of our Quirk? Well, yesterday you unlock one just by pure power of will."
"Eh~… and which one…" He really couldn't care less for some reason, maybe this ability had something to do.
"People, or in this case humans, tend to associate us, felines, with death and other supernatural stuff. For example, cats that had predicted the death of people better than any machine, how we tend to see things nobody else can. I mean, some humans even think we keep their hoses safe from bad spirits and all that." She explained, not very clearly due to her being tired too.
"So, I can interact with spirits, and I did that yesterday with Hokoru's parents. That's why I knew all that stuff about them. It's that it?" He asked lazily.
"Yeah, you even enchanted the bell for them to accompany her."
That explained what he saw last night. He was somehow proud of himself.
"But by doing so, you burned your vital energy. Do you remember that burning sensation? Well, it was that. It will leave you with no energy after it ends. It didn't happen yesterday because I used mine to compensate and allow you to get to your bed." The feline explained. "I don't think I can do it again."
"Sound pretty risky."
"Well, not really. Even though I said 'vital energy'. You aren't at risk of dying. After a long rest, it will recharge again. That's why you don't want to do anything right now, and the worst it can get it's for you to enter a coma until you recharge."
"And how much would that be?" He asked.
"Don't really know. Also, if something like this happens again, and I mean another ability or something similar, check your tail, which will change depending on what you're doing. Yesterday, for example, it changed into a green flame, indicating your energy being burned." She finished.
"Oh~ so that's why it felt sore afterward… Well, I guess It's just lazing around for me today." Now he understood why cats were always napping.
If he was more awake, all this conversation would have him astonished at such amazing ability, and probably analyzing its usages for hero work… …He'll do that later.
However, like if the world was against the idea of him resting, his door burst open, revealing a very anxious Inko Midoriya.
"I-I-I-Izuku! You got a letter!" She informed her son.
"Can you leave it on my desk? I'll check it later." He responded, not even bothering to move from his position, it was too much work.
"I-I-It's from U.A. High School!" Inko blurted out.
Izuku Midoriya was awake now.
It has been an hour since he got the letter, and he still hadn't opened it. He was too busy killing himself over the possibilities of why he received a letter now when there were still two weeks for the exam…
"Just open it already, goddamn it!" Neko yelled out of impatience.
He did.
There was a little disk inside. When he placed it on his desk, it activated, projecting a hologram.
There was a creature like a mouse, bear, something wearing a waistcoat and matching dress pants.
"Hello, Izuku Midoriya-Kun. I am Nezu, the principal of U.A. High School!" The rodent spoke, introducing itself… himself. "I'm sure you're wondering why did we send you a letter. Well, let me explain!" Nezu said, cheerfully. "Well, you see. You, Izuku Midoriya-Kun, are an exceptional case, or rather unique case, which we have in hands." That took the boy's attention. "As of right now. You're registered to take the entrance exam at our school, which is going to take place in two weeks. However, this is the unique part. You, Izuku Midoriya-Kun, have also been recommended to our school."
"Wait, what?" That didn't make sense. He, recommended? Was this some kind of prank?
"I'm sure you're confused about this." Nezu continued. "You see, people normally get recommended through academics or physical grades from a renowned middle school, but also through the influence of one of their family members. Be that because they're heroes or people really important." The rodent informed him. "We are fully aware that your grades as of right now are the best in your school, academically and physically, but your school… …It really embarrasses me that these are the kind of rules we have. Also, in your family, there is nobody who is or was a pro hero."
"Then why am I recommended?" He thought. He wasn't mad or anything, just confused.
"However, you were recommended to us by a pro hero."
"What?!"
"Not only that, but another two pro heroes also recommended you. Making that three important people recommending the same person." He made a paused and smiled. "We would be making a grave mistake if we were to ignore something like this. That's why we have decided to accepted it."
"Wait who were them? Do I know them?"
"Wow, you're denser than a rock," Neko said nonchalantly.
"That's what brings us to our current problem. We would like to know if you want to take the normal entrance exams as it was programmed or do you want to take the recommended student's exam. Please, send us an answer as soon as possible. Thank you very much for your time, Izuku Midoriya-Kun. We'll be waiting for your answer." And with that, the disk shut down, leaving a very confused Izuku.
XOX
Three days later at U.A. High.
The principal Nezu was walking with a content smile on his face through one of the many corridors of the academia.
After arriving at his destination, he entered a meeting room, where a really nice jazz music was playing to light the ambience.
"Ah, I'm glad all of you made it in such short notice." The rodent said, greeting all his colleagues.
Every teacher was present, in their seats.
"That's fine, but we would like to know why did you call us." The Blood Hero: Vlad King spoke.
"Yes, is it something important?" The pro Hero Ectoplasm agreed with his fellow teacher.
"Oh, no. It's nothing like that. This is just about one of the examinees who after a short explanation of his situation, he gave us an answer I didn't saw coming. So, I'd like to have your opinion on the matter and if you approve of it or not." Nezu explained while scaling the desk.
Everybody in the room perked up at that. Something that not even Nezu foresaw? Then, this needs their full attention.
"To be honest with all of you. I'm thrilling and I'm in favor of the idea, but I'll like all of you to be with me in this decision." The rodent spoke while placing a disk on the center of the desk and then going to his seat. "To give you a quick preview. The examinee was going to take the normal entrance exam, but he, later on, got recommended for three pro heroes. I told him to give us an answer about which exam he was going to take and he… … Well, I let him explain it to you." He pushed a button of a remote in his hand.
A hologram was displayed for everyone.
"H-hello? It's this working…? I followed Mei instructions so it should be working." A boy with cat features appeared.
Aizawa's face winced for a second when he recognized the boy. However, he wasn't the only one.
"Young Midoriya?!/Izuku?!" All Might in his deflated form and Midnight shouted at the same time.
"Oh, so you know him?" Aizawa questioned them, while Nezu paused the video.
"A-ah… hahaha. Y-yes, I met him before." All Might scratched the back of his head. How did he allow that to slip?
"W-well, he is famous after he saved that floating baby all those months back." Nemuri was also embarrassed.
"You two sounded like you know him on a personal level." Shouta pressed further.
"I made a mistake a while back regarding the boy right here. We became acquaintances after I apologize." The Symbol of Peace confessed.
"After some turn of events, I took it upon myself to correct his reckless behavior. That's all." Midnight told her side of the story.
"What I'm asking is not that." Eraser Head corrected himself. "My intention is to know if you two were part of this little group who recommended him. It would be very unprofessional if it was the case."
"We didn't do such a thing." The two heroes answered at the same time with a straight face.
"Well, well. Let's calm down. Also, they weren't who recommended him, Aizawa-Kun. If you go by their reaction, then you can see they are really surprised at this turn of events." Nezu intervened.
"YEAH!" The Voice Hero: Present Mic let his presence be known. He was taking his good time for it. "What's wrong, Eraser?! You're not often like this!" He questioned his friend. "AH! I know! It's because he's a cat, isn't it?! Man, you really like those little furballs." Yamada nodded to his flawless logic.
"It's completely the opposite," Aizawa answered. "I was present on the floating baby incident. And this kid was nothing but trouble. He made my job ten times harder, and I agree with Kayama about his reckless behavior. So, yeah. I'm not quite fond of this problem child. If he's just going to cause trouble wherever he goes, then I rather he doesn't become a hero."
"Wow! So harsh man." Mic shrugged like it couldn't be helped.
Midnight almost yelled at the man who knew nothing about Izuku, but Nezu didn't let her.
"Well, shall we continue?" When everyone nodded, he pressed the play button.
"Um. Thanks for your words, Principal Nezu. And I'm really flattered that this opportunity had presented itself to me and… I'm in conflict. I want to take the normal entrance exam like some friends of mine, but I also want to take the opportunity that other people see me worthy of having… That's why… If it was possible…" Izuku looked at the camera with determination. "I would like to take both exams as a challenge to myself." The video was paused.
"There you have it. This hasn't happened even once throughout U.A.'s history. And that's why I want your opinion on the matter." Nezu said with a smile.
Everyone was surprised beyond belief.
Midnight, in particular, was biting her lips and fidgeting with her legs. A little blush was presented on her face. "Ah~ this is bad… If you keep acting so cool… I may actually fall for you, Izuku."
All the teachers began to discuss the matter at hand, and soon after, the room went silent.
All of them raised their right hand and spoke. "We agree with Izuku Midoriya to take both exams."
"I disagree." The jazz music in the background stopped.
All the heads snapped in the direction of the person who said that. Surprisingly or unsurprisingly it was Shouta Aizawa.
"HA?!" Midnight slammed her hands against the desk. "Did he kill your family or something?! Why are you against it?!" She was a little more than furious. The other teacher went silent. None of them were that stupid to get in the way of a madden woman.
"I'm not saying that he cannot take both. I'm saying that it's simply not enough. If he wants this to be a real challenge, then… how about… If he doesn't pass both exams, he won't be accepted." Aizawa said.
"Why?!" Nemuri yelled again. "For someone who claims to be logical, you're being very irrational right now!"
"Settle down, please." Nezu intervened. "And actually, Aizawa-Kun. I don't think there is a problem with your request."
Everyone looked at the principal in a strange way. He just continued the video.
"And… If I don't pass both exams then, please, don't accept me." Izuku said. "I want to feel that I deserve to be in U.A. High. Thanks for your attention. And if this is not possible, then I'll take the normal entrance exam." And with a bow from the kid, the recording reached its end.
"HNNNGGG!" Midnight jolted on her seat while a little stream of saliva went down her mouth. She had to admit that she was a little moist down there.
All Might and Vlad King; who was at her left and right, respectively; cringed away from her. They already knew about her antics when teens acted cool, but this was going to a whole new level.
"Jesus Christ, woman!" All Might thought.
"You need Jesus in your life, woman!" Vlad King also thought.
"Will that be enough, Aizawa-Kun?" The principal asked his colleague.
"He… hehe… hehehe. No." Shouta said with a straight face.
If it wasn't because All Might and Vlad King had a very good reaction time, Midnight would be over Eraser Head right now, strangling him. And even though, All Might was in his buff form, he was still having problems to restrain the woman.
Aizawa, on the other hand, was smirking at her reaction with amusement. He didn't know what got into the woman, but this was the perfect payback for enlisting him as a teacher against his own will all those years back.
"I'm not saying he should do more. But to be honest, the last thing I want, it's to have him in my class. So, unless he gets first place in at least one of the two exams, I want this problem child to be placed with another teacher." He said to Nezu.
"Ho? Bold of you to assume he would be placed in your class." Vlad King voiced his displeasure about his colleague's arrogance.
"I'm not being arrogant, but going by logic, the most problematic children would be placed with me due to my Quirk. And even though his Quirk is a Mutant Type, my Quirk can still mess with it." Shouta explained his flawless logic. "But if I can get rid of at least one of those burdens beforehand, then I want to take that opportunity."
"Hmm, I see," Nezu spoke while contemplating what the others said. "Okay, then I allow that, Aizawa-Kun." Said the teacher nodded in gratitude. "However, if he placed first in one of the exams, he's not only going to be placed with you. You will also have to nurture him with whatever he needs on his path to become a hero. If that requires you to take extra hours, then you will do it without complaining. Also, because you're the only one who has been complaining about all of this situation and showing your displeasure for one of our possible students, then if he gets first place, you also will have to do something you wouldn't normally do as a punishment. You cannot demand without giving, so I hope you agree with all of this." The principal finished.
Shouta sweat dropped for a moment but nodded none the less.
"Hm." Everyone turned to look at Midnight who had a smug on her face. "You're going to regret this, Eraser."
"It's not that easy to get first place. I like my odds." He countered.
"Then it's settled!" Nezu announced. "Izuku Midoriya will take both, the normal entrance exam and the recommended students' exam. You can go now."
XOX
A/N: Hey! How was it? I wonder if you expected the last part about Izuku taking both exams. If you haven't read something like that in another fic then just you wait, the unique stuff is just starting. If you have, then don't worry, I have something for the future.
Please leave your thought about the chapter. Aw man, I'm so nervous right now.
Also. If any of you know weird facts about Felines, whatever it is, it doesn't matter if it is small, big, known for everyone or unknown, leave it in a review, it just gives me more tools to play with.
I'll read you later. I hope you like the chapter. Oh boy, my heart is going to explode.