Author's Note:

Hey everyone, just to let you know I'll be republishing some chapters and some stories with less errors and grammatical mistakes, thanks to my wonderful girlfriend offering to get in on the process and start editing my stories and assisting me heavily as I move forward with writing stories, thank you and on with the show!


A Little Longer Part 2 of 2


30 Minutes Later…

"So, ugh," Kyotoku placed a box into the back of the truck, "You're Inko's boy, eh?"

"Y-yeah actually. You know my mom?" Izuku followed behind him, placing the last of the boxes down as well.

"Mhm, I think we had a few classes together back in middle school actually."

"R-really, what was that like?"

"Ehhhhh, lots of crying and objects floating."

"S-sounds about right," Izuku mentally pictured his mother crying in class.

"Apple doesn't fall too far, eh?"

"…"

"I'll take that as a yes."

"You aren't wrong to."

"Didn't think so. Lemme ask, you move most of your stuff yet?"

"Oh yeah, I was able to get most of it yesterday with my mom, it was a lot of hard work, but I think we pulled it off nicely."

"Huh, just you and your mom?"

"Mhm," he nodded.

"What about your dad?"

Izuku got quiet, quieter than usual, his pleasant mood shifting downward, not bitter or anything but certainly depressed as he looked down at the ground. Kyotoku felt bad that he touched a nerve, deciding to try and speak up.

"Hey, I didn't mean to press any buttons."

"It's alright, sir, I'm not angry. It's just-"

"You boys got everything loaded up?" Mika asked as she stepped outside to greet them.

"Hm? Yeah, we were able to," Kyo rubbed the lower portion of his back, "I keep forgetting how heavy those boxes can be sometimes."

"Lift with your knees, dear."

"I know."

"No, you don't."

"Then next time, you carry them," Kyo smiled.

"Maybe I will, then I can be the one with the ego."

"Laugh it up Mika, but we both know why I'm the one who does it."

"Shhhh, not in front of him," Mika blushed before hugging her husband from behind.

'And now I wanna vomit,' Midoriya thought as he looked away from them.

"How's Kyoka doing?"

"She's getting ready right now," Mika explained.

"Ready for what?"

"To go out of course."

"Now wait a minute, you and I agreed she wouldn't leave our sight until school started back up again."

"We did, and I still do."

"Then why did you tell her she could go out today? We planning to go together?"

"No, we aren't going with her."

"Mika, you're confusing me."

"Which reminds me," Mika turned to Midoriya, "Midoriya, can I ask you for one more favor?"

"U-uh sure ma'am, what is it? Are there more boxes you need me to carry?"

"No, this time I wanted to ask you if you were doing anything today?"

"Waaaaaaait a minute," Kyo's fatherly instincts kicked back in as he looked at Mika and Midoriya.

"Huuuush dear, let me finish," she gripped her man tighter, before continuing, "Because me and Kyotoku-"

"You mean you."

"-would greatly appreciate it if you accompanied Kyoka on her little trip into town."

"No."

"Shhhh."

"I said no."

"I know you did, that's why I'm telling you to shhhhhhh."

"Kyoka is too young to go out with boys."

'And how old does she have to be?"

"A hundred."

"Kyo."

"Okay seventy, final offer."

"Come on, what are you scared of?"

"Everything, like you should be."

"I am, I'm just not afraid to let our daughter have a social life. Besides. hasn't Midoriya more than proven to us that he can be trusted?"

"…"

"Hasn't he?" she flicked his side, trying to make him budge.

"…" Kyotoku looked at the boy, having processed the task asked of him, was extremely flustered over it all, basically being asked to take Kyoka out on…a date, something he could've only dreamed of before, and now it was being thrust upon him and being interrogated visually by the father's icy stare, which did make things a little worse. "Before I say that, I wanna ask him a few things."

"With your inside voice?"

"With my inside voice."

"Fire away then."

"Midoriya," Kyo spoke sternly, making the boy shiver but ultimately look back up at him.

"Y-y-yes s-s-sir?"

"Do you have any ill intentions for my daughter?"

"No sir."

"Will you keep her safe if anything happens, and take her straight back here if it does?"

"Yes sir, I would protect J-Jiro with my life."

"That a fact?"

"Yes."

"You care about my little girl?"

"…" Izuku hesitated, not wanting to blurt out anything stupid, praying he wouldn't blurt out anything stupid, offending the parents of one of his friends was never something he'd ever want to do, and especially now with everything going on, it was paramount that he chose his next words very carefully, as he was not just being asked if he could be trusted with Jiro for the evening, but also could he be trusted to be around Jiro every day when they couldn't be anymore because of the dorm. They wanted to know If their daughter would be okay at U-A, and he needed to assure that she would never be in danger if he had a say in it. His answer was hotly anticipated from the two, despite Mika trusting her daughter's judgement in the company she kept, she needed to hear it from the boy to, and secretly, Jiro wanted to hear this to, having finished freshening up for the evening, and standing behind the door to listen in on his response, twirling her earphone jack nervously.

Needless-to-say, he did not disappoint, "Absolutely," the young boy responded matter-of-factly. Kyoka's heart skipped a beat, Mika smiled, and Kyotoku closed his eyes, slowly inhaling a large breath, and eventually exhaling, relinquishing his doubts, and gaining faith in the young man.

"Well, if that's the case, would you please look out for her today? I mean, it's fine if you don't want to, she's perfectly fine here," Mika flicked him again, annoyed at him, "Ouch, I mean uh, if you have something going on we'll understand," Mika tried flicking him again put he placed his hands on hers, getting the jump on his wife, "It's valid to say that and you know it."

"Hmph," she leaned into his shoulder, as he kissed her cheek.

"I-I…I," Izuku paused, hard swallowing his nerves and insecurities, 'Why not, I already wanted to walk and…I really need it…I really need her right now, here it goes,' "I would be honored to!"

"You don't need to shout it," Kyotoku replied.

"U-uh sorry, sir."

"No need, it isn't the loudest thing I hear daily, being a musician and all."

"F-fair enough."

"You bring her back here at five, okay?"

"Nine," Mika spoke up.

"Five."

"Nine."

"Four."

"Want me to make you a pallet outside to sleep on?"

"…Jeez, okay," Kyotoku annoyed looked up at the sky in defeat, "Nine, but you make sure she checks in every hour or so, alright?"

"I-I will," Midoriya nodded in agreement to the rule, Kyotoku secretly feeling at ease, "Count on me."

"I am. Also-"

"Y-yes?"

"You hurt, try any funny business, or do anything unseemly to my little Kyoka, I will hunt you down. Got it?" he asked the young Midoriya, giving him the thousand-mile demonic stare.

"C-c-c-crystal c-c-clear, Mr. Jiro."

"Good, have fun," Kyo smiled, "The right way."

"S-s-sure thing, wh-when do you think she'll be ready?"

"Oh, she already is," Mika pointed to the doorway with her quirk.

'Curse our incredible hearing,' Jiro mentally cursed, 'I wanted to come out casually, not have some big entrance!'

'S-s-she was listening to us the whole time,' Midoriya thought nervously.

"Hehe," Mika giggled at her daughter's crush, seeing him get flustered at the idea of her overhearing everything, "You can come on out now, Kyoka."

"…D-dammit mom," Jiro whispered to herself, before steeling her core, and finally taking her step outside. She was nervous to say the least, clear by her tapping her jacks together and remaining focused on just that, looking as if she was uninterested in everyone around her. Which was fortunate given how she would've been flattered by Midoriya's expression of admiration, surprise, and affection, his eyes glued to her as she proceeded to them, admiring her form dressed in a white t-shirt, reading 'THE END OF VILLAINS' on it, stretching down her waistline that hung a black skirt below it, stitched leggings that traveled into her black boots, her right wrist sporting a black metal bracelet while her left just had a normal arm band, and finally a loose black chocker located right at the base of her neck.

It was her casual wear, nothing too fancy or elaborate like her dress from I-island, but it didn't matter to Midoriya. Messy? Dressed-up? Casual? There's only one word that ever crossed his mind when looking at her, which is the same word that ran circles in his head and nearly let slip from his mouth-

'Gorgeous.'

Not that he needed to say it, the look he gave her said everything it needed to, Kyoka looking up for a second curiously, a mistake, since she immediately locked eyes with him again, seeing his widened eyes, slightly gaping mouth, and his favorite facial color red, the same color as her face right about now. 'Damnit Izuku…stop looking at me like that,' Kyoka thought to herself, 'My dad wants to kill you, my mom wants to make fun of you, and I…I-" before she could finish, Midoriya's lips curved upwards, they trembled, but they didn't take his smile way from him, the smile he would always give, and one Kyoka always took and gave one of her own in return, even now, as she thought 'I-I…want you to look at me like that for hours.'

The awkwardness from before melting away in the presence of their mutual affection that, ironically, they kept unknown to the other but hopefully…tonight would change that. A hope they both shared, as they continued to look at each other, Kyoka having reached him ten seconds ago.

"Ahem." Kyotoku reached up to cover his mouth for the cough, interrupting their little moment, much to everyone else's dismay.

"O-o-oh," Izuku got anxious again, "H-h-hello J-J-J-Jiro."

"H-hey there," Kyoka to, "M-M-M-M."

"Midoriya," Mika smiled at her daughter.

"Midoriya," Jiro finally finished.

"Y-you look good," Midoriya shifted his eyes from the ground to her, and then straight back.

"O-o-oh, thanks," Jiro did the same, "Y-you, too."

"Awww. aren't you two precious?" Mika joked, making it much more embarrassing for the two, and uncomfortable for Kyotoku.

"Dear, quit being gross."

"Oh hush, we were cute at that age, too."

"Yes, but you think anyone wants to hear that right now?"

"Do you think I care?"

"No."

"Then there we have it, be back by eleven Kyoka," Mika looked at her daughter, who was too embarrassed to speak so she just nodded.

"ELEVEN?!," Kyotoku shouted.

"Okay nine, final offer," Mika laughed.

"…You're gonna give me a heart attack, you know that?" Kyo sighed.

"I know," she nuzzled her head against him, calming his nerves, "Run along Kyoka, don't keep my son in law waiting."

"SON IN LAW?!"

"Let's get out of here," Kyoka said to her crush, quickly taking his hand, "He's gonna kill you if she keeps this up."

"R-r-right," he agreed, 'Her hand is really warm.'

"Bye mom, bye dad," Kyoka yelled as they dashed off.

"Goodbye Mr. and Mrs. Jiro, glad I could help you move her things!"

"Thank you again Midoriya," Mika removed a hand from her husband's waist to wave them off, "Bye! Have fun you two, don't do anything we wouldn't!"

"YOU BETTER NOT, YOU HEAR ME!"

"Your parents are scary Jiro," Midoriya muttered as he tried to keep pace with her.

"To you they should be…"


Once they were a safe distance away, they stopped running, the fear of Kyotoku catching up to them subsiding as they were finally able to just relax, and talk.

"Sorry they made you lift all my stuff into the truck."

"I-it was no problem, I really wanted to help, in all honesty."

"Would you say that now that you've met my dad?"

"Y-yeah…not as confident though."

"That's what most people say," Kyoka giggled, "I'm surprised you're even still with us, to be honest."

"You aren't the only one. It was touch and go in a few places."

"Welcome to my everyday life."

"I don't know how you survive…"

"By the skin of my teeth, that's how."

"Makes sense to me."

"As it should."

"S-so, um, what do you wanna do?"

"…Oh crap," she blushed, nervously scratching her cheek with her free hand.

"What?"

"I actually uh, left before making a plan…sorry."

"O-oh, it's alright, we can just come up with something on the way."

"Optimistic as always, eh?"

"C-can't help it sometimes."

"I know, just one of your best traits shining through," he smiled at the compliment, 'And one of the reasons I like you so much.'

"Th-thank you, Jiro."

"No problem, Midoriya."

"Anything you wanna do right now?"

"Nothing yet, just," she gripped his hand a little tighter, moving closer to him, "I think, for right now I just wanna walk around like this, if that's okay with you."

"…F-f-fine by me."

"Ditto."

"S-s-sorry if my palm's a little sweaty."

"It's not, don't worry about it."

"O-o-okay, glad to hear it."

"Plus, why would it be?"

"Huh?"

"Is it because you're holding hands with a giiiiirrrrlllll," she teased him, getting up in his face to see his face go completely red.

"U-u-u-u-u-u-u-u-uh."

"Well, is it Midoriya?"

"M-m-m-m-m-maybe."

"Awww well isn't that sweet of you."

"I-I-I-I-I-It is?"

"Hmmmm a little."

"W-wh-wh-what's the other part to it?"

"Dorky."

"O-o-o-oh. Sorry."

"Buuuut, it's cool, you're a cute dork."

"…I am?"

"Yeah, y-you are."

"…" he smiled at her, "Now look who's blushing…"

"…Izuku Midoriya!"

"Wh-what?"

"Was that a joke I just heard?"

"M-maybe."

"Oh my actual god, I never thought you'd have it in you."

"Hanging out with you has it's many perks."

"By the end of the night, I'll have created a monster."

"I-I wouldn't go that far."

"You say that now."

"I know it, nobody's as good as you."

"Pssshhhh stop it."

"I mean it."

"Dude, you're embarrassing me."

"But it's true why be embarrassed about that?"

'God, he's too pure,' she thought as she looked forward, "You have a point, I guess."

"Mhm."

"…"

"…"

"Hey, uh-"

"Yeah?"

"I think I know where I wanna go now."

"Oh?"

"It's this place that I've went to a lot with my parent's, it's nothing 'fancy' or 'eloquent' but I think you'll like it."

"Then by all means, lead the way, Jiro."

"If you say so, just remember no backing out once we're there," she winked at him as she took the lead.

"W-wouldn't dream of it," Midoriya assured, "I'll go wherever, as long as you're happy."

"…God, you are a dork," she mumbled, "But…you're my dork."


It took them about an hour and forty minutes to get there on foot, nothing too daunting since the streets weren't that crowded, nor was traffic all that bad either, not that it would've mattered to them anyway. Reaching their destination which was Kasui's Karaoke Bar, a local restaurant that wasn't too popular amongst the masses but floated by enough on passible fame, which was perfect for them seeing as how crowds wasn't a good or safe option for either of them, the events of the past month weighing in on them considerably. But that didn't matter to them right now, not enough to stop them from sitting down and ordering their drinks at the nearest table, Jiro taking the seat next to the wall, and Midoriya taking the one that faced the restaurant.

"So, you came here with your parents a lot?"

"Mhm, every weekend or so."

"Must've been nice."

"It was, at least whenever they didn't have just ANYBODY sing," Jiro used her quirk to point to the orange light that illuminated the stage at the other end of the restaurant though it was not terribly big, only enough for one or two people to be on at a time.

"Oh, it's not private karaoke?"

"Nope," she flung her quirk back to her.

"No, thank you, then," Midoriya cringed at the idea of singing before a crowd, 'Guess that shoots the idea of singing to her in the foot then.'

"What? You sing?"

"U-uh, some…times."

"Reallyyyy?"

"Mhm," he nodded, growing bashful, not confident in his pipes being anything special.

"You just keep surprising me today."

"I tend to find most people are surprised by me."

"Of that, we can agree."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, look at you, you're kinder than anyone else I know yet you can level a building."

"Not without busting my arm in six places," he grimaced as he lifted his right arm, still feeling some lingering tingles from the surgery.

"That's beside the point, either way, you honestly got a lot of hidden talent Midoriya."

"Y-you…really think so?"

"Completely."

"Wow…thank you."

"D-don't mention it," she replied, their drinks arriving at that very moment.

"Here are your drinks," the waiter placed iced green tea next to Midoriya and bubble tea next to Jiro.

"Thank you," they both said to the man.

"You're quite welcome. Are either of you two interested in entering the contest?"

"Contest?" Midoriya asked.

"Yes, every two weeks we hold a small singing contest for everyone in the restaurant. Anyone and everyone is allowed to enter as long as they have at least ordered something."

"You guys still hold those?" Jiro asked taking a sip of her tea.

"Very much so, why do you want to enter?"

"N-no, thanks I'm good," Jiro blushed at the waiters offer, her quirk spazzing out a little.

"Oh my, so sorry. I only offered because you looked like a champion of ours from a few years ago," the waiter pointed at the opposite wall, a line of plaques with various winners hung up.

"Welp, I'm not, you are mistaken," she blushed than before, looking away from the waiter, Izuku picking up on her distress coming from somewhere.

"My sincerest apologies, ma'am."

"Nah, you're cool."

"Is there anything else I can get you two right now?"

"I-I-I-I'm good," Jiro squeaked out, taking another sip of her drink awkwardly.

"You, sir?"

"…Uh, thank you but I'm alright for now."

"Alright, let me know if you need anything."

"We will," Midoriya smiled at the waiter before he left the table and onto another one. It wasn't exactly a busy day, maybe only twelve people at best including the two of them. Izuku, curious about before, turned around in his seat, looking at the wall line up of winners, all of them being the kinds who, from the onset, you wouldn't expect to be amazing singers, and it didn't help that most of the pictures were all blurry (coming to find out later that the camera person was not exactly that good due to a prior drug addiction, and criminal history…his name was Marco but back to the story), all except a handful, one of which, surely enough, was picture of a quite young girl with purple hair and two earphone jacks hanging from her lobes. She made a peace sign with her fingers and smiled big. Behind her, you could faintly see a man with light gold hair crying and cheering, and underneath the photo read: Kyoka Jiro.

This made Midoriya turn back in his seat, smiling at his date, Kyoka, still looking away, could easily tell that he had spied it, and was embarrassed by the whole affair.

"…What?"

"You sing, and you sing here?"

"…*Sigh* I really thought they'd take that plaque down after the old man retired."

"Oh my god," he said, amazed by the discovery

"Y-yeah…that's little ten-year-old me."

"What's the story there, if you're comfortable with telling it."

"Might as well now that the cats out of the bag," she placed her drink away from her as she propped her elbows on the table, "You see back-"

Before Kyoka could unravel her tale, the main overhead lights went out, and a curtain fell over the main windows of the restaurant, darkness overtaking the place before flashing neon lights filled the room, shocking the shy couple, as they tried to process what was going on. It all became quite too clear when they heard a familiar voice-

"ALRIGHT YOU CRAZY SINGING PARTY PEOOOOOOOOOOOPPPPPPPPPPPPLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLEEEEEEEEE," an enthusiastic man shouted, being met with the cheers of the other patrons.

"Oh my god," the couple said in unison, the horrifying reality dawning on them who it was.

"I CAN'T HEAR YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!"

"Nooooooooooo," Jiro groaned laying back in her seat as the patrons cheered out again.

"ONE. MORE. TIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIMMMMMMMMMMMMMMEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!"

"Why me," Jiro put her fingers in her ears, awaiting their chanting, which came even louder than before.

"THERE WE GOOOOOOOOOOOOOO, AND HERE WE GO TONIGHT, RAISE YOUR HANDS TOGETHER FOR THE FUNKY, THE FRESH, THE BOMBASTIC, AND THE BEST COMMENTATOR IN THE HISTORY OF THE WORLD: PRESENTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT MICCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC aka Me!"

The blonde man jumped up on stage from the side, holding out his arms to the adoring public around him, Midoriya awkwardly laughing at the image, and Kyoka only cringing.

"HOWS MY PEOPLE TONIGHT," he shouted, the crowd cheering and raising glasses, "THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT! LOVE ME AN ADORING CROWD!"

"Yes, we know," Jiro groaned again.

"NOW GET YOURSLEVES READY FOLKS FOR THIS WEEKS SINGING COMPETETION, ARE YALL PUMPED? OF COURSE, YOU ARE, BECAUSE TONIGHT I'M HOSTING BECAUSE OF YOUR GRACIOUS VOTES AND REQUESTS OVER ON MY TWITTER ACCOUNT!"

"And because you have nothing better to do," Jiro quipped.

"Hey, who knows maybe it's not going to be that bad."

"WAIT A SECOND…JERRY, GET A SPOTLIGHT OVER ON TABLE TWELVE, WILL YA!?"

"Oh no," Midoriya blushed intensely.

"You just had to say it," Jiro replied as the light over their table shined down on them, sending the two into shock and embarrassment.

"WELL WOULD YOU LOOKY WHAT WE HAVE HERE MY LADIES AND GERMS, IT'S TWO OF MY VERY OWN U-A STUDENTS: IZUKU MIDORIYA AND KYOKA JIRO!"

"Kyoka Jiro?"

"That kid who won a few years ago?"

"Wow, I can't believe it's her."

"She was incredible."

"Yeah! For real."

The constant whispers and attention from the crowd caused Jiro to flip up a menu to cover her face from the on lookers that mortified her by beyond belief, the situation being made worse by their teacher's stubborn want to keep the spotlight on them.

"AWWWWWW COME ON DON'T BE SHY STAND UP AND SAY HI TO EVERYBODY!"

"…"

"Come onnnnnnnn, don't be a sour puss," Mic cheered on, still adamant.

"…Sup?" she yelled, raising her hand up over the menu, before shooting it back down.

"THERE WE GO! YOU TO MIDORIYA!"

"M-m-m-me?"

"YES, YOU MY GREEN HAIRED GROOVY GOOP BALL!"

"O-o-o-o-o-oh, h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-hi e-everybody," Midoriya awkwardly waved, his hand shaking so fast it was almost a blur, "N-n-n-nice weather we're having!"

The comment made everyone laugh, including Jiro, who was mostly laughing at his lack of social skills to strangers.

"AINT HE A RIOT, FOLKS? ANYWAY, LET'S GET OFF OF THEIR DATE!"

'I'm gonna kill him,' Jiro gripped her menu angrily, while Izuku only shot steam out of his ears.

"AND BACK TO THE CONTEST, FIRST UP WE HAVE KIBUSUJI HARUI DOING HIS OWN PERSONAL SONG HE WROTE JUST FOR THIS OCCASION, LET'S GIVE HIM A ROUND OF APPLAUSE AND GET READY FOR HIS PREFORMANCE WHILE I GO OVER AND MINGLE WITH MY STUDENTS!"

"WE'RE GOOD," the shy couple yelled.

"ALRIGHTY FAIR ENOUGH!

The applause continued as the older gentleman took the stage as Mic stepped off to the side again, the lights coming back on proper, as he started singing, allowing the two to finally breathe again.

"Well, that was embarrassing."

"You're telling me," Kyoka rubbed her temples.

"Did he ever DJ here before?"

"No, this is new to me, even though I haven't been back here in a while."

"Why is that?"

"Oh yeah…I was about to tell you."

"Go on."

"W-well, back when my parents took me here every weekend, we always came to enter ourselves."

"Really?"

"Mhm, my dad and mom would either do it separately or in a duet, and I…well I would never enter because I'm insecure about my singing to tell you the truth."

"You…are?"

"Totally, and eventually to help me get over this, my dad signed me up to enter one year, and I was not really okay with it until my mom and the old owner prompted me to, really talking me up, giving me compliments, and sometimes my mom would even practice with me to help overcome it, and eventually, I found myself on that stage."

"Was it nerve racking?"

She gave him a look.

"I-I thought so."

"Anyway, I closed my eyes and started singing and then the room gets really, REALLY quiet, I start getting a bit scared and nervous and start thinking like 'Oh my god I'm blowing this,' and 'I probably sound horrible' since my voice used to crack regularly, and after a while I just let it go, because I'm up there, it's already too late, ya know?"

"Mhm."

"And before I know it, it's over," Jiro looked toward the plaque, "I finished my song, put down my guitar that I brought up there with me, and open my eyes…I see everyone with these surprised looks on their faces as I scan the room, and I started getting warm in the face really bad, before my dad starts slowly clapping…then my mom, then the owner, then the room, and I just start crying. I stood up, and bowed as you do, and they keep going and going until the next girl comes up, and after another hour, I was called the winner and they took my picture and all that jazz."

"Uh huh," Midoriya nodded, happy that she was praised so highly, 'I wish I could've been there."

"And as we leave everybody starts complimenting me, telling me how great it was, and on the ride back home, I'm looking at this trophy and my dad starts talking about all these things he really wants for me, how he think's ill be such a great musician, how I'll take the world by storm, how I'll…follow in his and mom's footsteps," Jiro frowned, and her voice getting quieter, an almost hushed tone as she started swirling the straw in her drink with her finger, her eyes watering up considerably.

"J-Jiro," Midoriya looked at her, feeling a dagger pierce his heart as he took in her sad form, wishing he could say or do something right now, but she droned on.

"They really start talking about that for the next few days…get all excited about the prosperity of us being a musical family," her swirling slowed, "'The Jiro Trio,' as they called it, at least dad did, because mom thought it was a stupid name, but he fought for it, he fought for it really hard…" and slower, "They wanted me to be a musician so bad…and every day I feel like I disappointed them when I said I wanted to be a hero…I look them in the eye and," slower, "…and I feel like crying each time, like I'm not good enough for them, like I'll never be good enough for them…they say it isn't true," slower, and then stopped, before her own tears ran down her cheek, the memory and the overbearing feelings she had, broke her, as she couldn't hold it back anymore, lowering her head allowing for her bangs to cast a shadow over her eyes. Her quiet sobs drowned out by the music. Her suffering quiet to the patrons at the bar.

Except for one.

Jiro suddenly felt a warmth on her free hand placed on the table, looking up to see Midoriya looking at her with absolute concern, the most that he can muster, he couldn't take anyone saying this about themselves, let alone…the girl he loved, and he wasn't going to any longer, "Jiro, you are not a disappointment to them, you hear me?"

"H-huh?"

"Jiro, your parent's think the world of you, when I was packing away your things, your dad would just keep going on and on about how amazing you are, about how he's so proud to have a daughter who wants to be a hero, who's going to be a hero. One of the world's best, even," Jiro's tears ceased, as she stared on at Midoriya, looking at him in awe, "And…I think it, too. You're amazing, Jiro, everything about you is wonderful, and your mom and dad truly think the same, and no matter who you wanna be, or what you wanna be, they trust and know that you'll do incredible things, and be one of the best that there ever was, whether music, or heroics. I believe, and more importantly they believe, that you'll bring a smile anyone's face."

Jiro didn't know what to think right now, her mind clouded by the fire she felt spread through her veins starting from her heart, raging enough to obliterate the disappointment, the anxiety, the self-deprecation, and the fear that she carried for so long. The prisoner of doubt that was now set free from the metaphorical cage she locked herself in for so long, all because of the efforts of one Izuku Midoriya, the boy that at first, she barely paid attention to, the odd mutterer, the quirk hero nerd, that over time, became the bravest…strongest…kindest…and most thoughtful person she had ever laid eyes upon. The boy she looked to for strength, the boy she looked to for inspiration, and the boy she…ultimately, fell for, and she couldn't be happier that it was his hand reaching across the table right now.

But even the mightiest of men, have their demons.

"A-a-after all, you brought one to mind today…"

"…Wh-what do you mean?"

"…Today, no, the past month has been difficult on me, well ALL of us really. We have had to deal with so much change in our lives and how the world became so much…scarier than before," Izuku frowned, allowing his own problems to let run free, "My arm is…using my quirk, it's two or three more times away from being busted forever. I almost wasn't allowed to go back to you-…U-A," his hand clenched hers tighter, his shift in mood now concerning her instead, "The League is still out there planning whatever new ways to try and kill us next. Kacchan was kidnapped because I couldn't do anything. You got hurt because I couldn't do anything, a-a-and…All Might…retired…because I couldn't do anything…and even though he doesn't think it's my fault, I feel like it is every time I see him, and I'm scared that one day…he's going to leave…l-like…like, my dad did."

"Midoriya…" Jiro reached across the table to cup his face, and wipe the tears rolling down it, a smile coming back to him despite all that he said, as he raised his other hand to take the one on his cheek.

"B-but it's okay…"

"W-why?"

"Because…I still have everyone, I still have mom, All Might, Kacchan, and… you, and everything today has helped me deal with that as much as possible. Seeing you smile, walking with you, talking with you, everything, it makes me feel better about everything that's happened again. And even though it's been a bit embarrassing at times, I wouldn't…I wouldn't trade today for anything in the world, because I can honestly say without a shred of doubt, you make me truly happy Jiro."

Their hands moved back down to the table as the last singer finished, still intertwined with each other's, they refused to let go even if the strongest man alive pulled them apart, they wouldn't look away from each other's eyes for even a moment, and smiled, content that they only had each other right now, and to be perfectly honest that's all they needed, not the restaurant, not their drinks, not even U-A, just each other.

Then…Kyoka had an idea.

"H-hey…"

"Yeah?"

"What's your favorite song?"

"Huh?"

"Tell me, what's your favorite song?"

"U-uh, I guess it'd be um-" he blushed, removing his hand from hers, motioning her to come over so he could whisper it, she obliged, leaning over the table and sticking out her right ear to listen to him, and after a second, he softly spoke it into her ear, a cheeky grin forming on her lips as she looked at him, slowly sitting back down.

"Cheater," she called him, causing him to chuckle.

"S-sorry, it's true."

"Alrighty then," Jiro scooted her chair out from under the table, "Then I'll be right back," she winked, before leaving him there confused, after a couple minutes or so he just started sipping on his drink, thinking she just had to go to the bathroom…Took him by great surprise when Present Mic announced that the champion from five years ago: Kyoka Jiro was taking center stage again to reclaim her title (not that she really wanted to do that, it's just Mic's usual habit of spicing things up), and was going to perform a song. Midoriya's eyes widened, but softened when they landed on her, sitting on a stool at the center of the stage, holding an old acoustic guitar they had in the back, looking nervous, but smoothed out when she looked back at him.

Remembering the words he whispered-

"I don't care, as long as I get to hear you sing."

Kyoka opened her mouth to start the song, and for a peacefully beautiful melody that lasted for three minutes, Midoriya, in a crowd full of people of the various sort, felt like he was the only one hearing it as the room around him faded away, the chairs, the people, the drinks, the lights overhead, the only thing he could even remotely see anymore: was Jiro, and her guitar.

Singing for him.

And for Jiro, it was just Midoriya, listening to her all the way through her sweet melody.


3 Hours Later…

Jiro was riding on Midoriya's back, holding her new trophy, and nuzzling her face up against his, her arms wrapped ever so tightly and ever so gently around his upper body, his hands supporting her by the legs.

"You were amazing up there," Midoriya softly spoke, looking at her face, illuminated by the evening street lights.

"How many times are you gonna say that?"

"Until I don't believe anymore."

"…You could've just said never, ya know?"

"I'm a dork, remember?"

"I know."

"Still can't believe you did that."

"Well dealing with Present Mic versus making you happy seemed like a no brainer choice, wouldn't you say?"

"Fair enough."

"Next time, it's your turn to sing for me."

"Deal. I can't promise I'll win like you though."

"Nah, I think you'll beat them all by a landslide, no doubt."

"What makes you say that?"

"Because" she turned her head to kiss his cheek, "You have the tendency to surprise me."

"I think you'll have that title before too long," he turned to kiss back, "Since you've done it at least three times today."

"Those three being?"

"One, you brought me to a karaoke place where you were a champion."

"Okay."

"Two, you sang at said karaoke place just to see me smile."

"Gotcha."

"Three, you…actually kissed me."

"Is it really that surprising?"

"Not all that much, just mostly because you did it during your plaque picture."

"God I still can't believe they used that one, they couldn't have just taken one during the encore they asked me to put on."

"Well, people love their dramatic shots," Izuku blushed, "You want to go ask them to put up a new one?"

"…No."

"Why's that?"

"I like it better than the old one when I was ten, and you look really adorable when you're flustered."

"So do you," he whispered.

"I don't shoot steam out of my ears and look like a tomato when I do it though."

"You have me there."

"That I do. Did you ever call your mom and tell her where you were, by the way?"

"I did, she took a little convincing at first since I called her so late, but I got her to budge a little when I said I was with a friend."

"Friend, eh?"

"I'll correct it when I get home."

"You better, or I'm gonna ask her to see your baby pictures."

"…P-please don't."

"Then you better do as I ask."

"I will, I will."

"I get the scary side of my family from my mom."

"I noticed, so wanna stop at the train station and use that to get home?"

"Can we not?"

"Sure, but why?"

"Because I wanna stay like this just a little longer."

"Alright," he leaned his head on hers, "You win, I'll carry you home."

"Good."

"H-hey Kyoka?"

"Yes Izuku?"

"…"

"Don't worry, Izuku, you can say it…"

"…O-o-okay, K-Kyoka."

"Mhm?"

"I…love you."

"I love you to Izuku," she whispered, before they kissed again, and Kyoka slowly fell asleep, as Izuku carried her home.

A peaceful end.

To a peaceful day.

The End.