Hero Schools are -
Nationally acclaimed high schools established for the purpose of nurturing "Heroes", licensed users of Mutations - more commonly called as "Quirks". In the last four centuries since the appearance of Superpowers, countless facilities - both privately funded and government owned - dedicated to the education of responsibility to the populace and the creation of heroes with superb utilization of Quirks have appeared all over the world.
In Japan, although numerous hero schools have been established, four names reverberate within the hearts of all hero hopefuls.
U.A. Academy: Musutafu (Kanto, Tokyo).
Shiketsu Academy: Nishinomiya (Kinki, Hyogo).
Ketsubutsu Academy: Kanazawa (Hokuriku, Ishikawa).
Seiai Academy for Girls: Sendai (Tohoku, Miyagi).
Among these prestigious establishments, U.A. and Shiketsu have a fixed quota of eighty students divided into their own Heroics Course and Support Course with only three hundred seats available for the General Course - not counting the numerous other courses provided by the school according to the Regular Education Charter. The difference between the Hero and Support Courses and General Course is in the number of instructors as most teachers available for the Hero and Support Course are either retired or active Pro-Heroes.
While Ketsubutsu Academy and Seiai Academy have a fixed quota of two hundred students with no divided courses and are provided with equal amount of instructors, the level of teachers are generally a notch lower than that of the top two schools as none of them are Pro-Heroes.
Even though various schools follow the curriculum created by the National University of Heroics and the National Internal Security Bureau, there are also schools that have their own specializations. For example, Shiketsu Academy places a heavy emphasis in practical, battle-oriented education for its Hero and General course, and, in contrast, A Certain High School in Hamamatsu (Tokai, Shizuoka), places emphasis in highly complex manufacturing and theorization which are valuable in areas of EAD Engineering and Theoretical Science and Technology.
Aside from this, there are schools that specialize in operations in particular environments. An Academy in Kochi (Shikoku, Kochi) teaches, separate from the normal curriculum, operations and survival above water on in the sea, while the High School in Otaru (Hokkaido) integrates practical outdoor lessons in regions of extreme cold or mountainous regions where the living environments are extreme.
()
Superpowers.
Mutations.
Quirks.
Whatever one may want to call them, they are a product of neither Legends nor Fairy Tales, instead, they are facts of a reality that has long since become unknown to most people.
The first verifiable and recorded event of Quirk Manifestation was on the night of June 30th, year AD 2016. The incident was recorded in a hospital in the city of Qingqing, China where a newborn baby began to emanate a soft bio-luminescent light 13 minutes after their birth. This became the first verifiable use of what is now modernly called a Quirk. After that incident, many people around the world began to manifest their own Superpowers with the First-Generation Mutations largely appearing in children and young adults in the ages of four to thirteen years old.
Initially, after the First Manifestation, these special abilities were largely called "Mutations"; an ability present in every person as a result of purely inherent, sudden mutation among humanity as a result of a yet unknown process of awakening. That was an erroneous notion.
Through the thorough research and study in Genetics and Human Biology, by influential Eastern and Western Nations, the appearance of these "Mutations" have been gradually explained to the public. It became possible to understand "Mutations".
It was Evolution.
Constant changes in the environment of the planet due to Global Warming of that era had triggered a then-to unknown and hidden genome within the DNA of most creatures that inhabited the planet. The first of its kind, an unknown that had remained hidden within the Human Template, signifying a change of times - a new era.
Alpha-Plus: The First of Many More Mysteries Beyond the Idea of "Human".
This was the name given by an Anonymous Researcher to indicate the existence of the First of Many. With the manifestation of numerous abilities too fantastic to be thought of in reality, conflict - that which is the nature of humanity - reared its head as countries, divided as they were, began a race on who can nurture the best of its citizens' Supernatural Abilities.
By the end of the 21st Century - in the year 2095 - the world had began to adapt to the sudden shift of the era and various laws had been implemented to both protect and prosecute those who had once been beyond the reach of law. It was also in this year that the various acts of Vigilantism in response to Quirked Crimes had become institutionalized and sponsored by the government; laying the bricks that would soon become the foundation for the modern-day heroics career.
U.A. Academy is affiliated with the National University of Heroics and the National Internal Security Bureau. It is an upper-level heroic institution known globally to produce the best graduates - whether they were in the Heroics Course, the Support Course, or the General Course - their graduates are known to proceed to become the top of their fields. Rivaled only by the Rheinmetall Institute in Germany, Xavier's School for the Gifted in the United States of North America, and SEELE in Israel, it is a school for the elite that only accepts and pursues excellence.
With regard in Quirked education, although sixty percent of the world possess quirks, there is no official stance in providing an equal education. This country does not have the luxury to do so. Furthermore, childish, idealistic debates revolving around the clear disparity that exists between the capable and incapable would not be tolerated; even in this idealistic society of Heroes and Villains.
Thoroughly talent-driven.
Harshly competence-oriented.
That is the world of Heroics.
In this school of the elite where only the best are accepted, right at the start of enrollment, the high-achievers and those with talent are immediately separated from mediocrity. Even if two individuals are freshmen, they are not necessarily equal - even if they were to possess the closest of bonds. This...
... is a dog-eat-dog world.
()
Darkness.
All beings feared the dark. Whether they be man or beast, all creatures that walk upon the earth instinctively avoid the dark - but not him. Not anymore.
He had long since grown used to it. The absolute darkness that covered his form had become as familiar to him as his own hands were. The incessant chill that pervaded this room he was kept in had become a comfort amidst the daily pains he had endured.
One could even say that he loved being in the dark. He was familiar with it.
His chest expanded as he took in a deep breath; rattling the chains that kept him from moving and he felt them dig into his young chest. His brow twitched in annoyance. He did not know how long he was kept in this empty room. He had long since lost count of the days, hours, or months - just as he had long forgotten many more things. But, he could still remember why he was chained on this seat within this dark, cold room.
"Huhuhu... "
Rattling chains echoed eerily around him as he laughed a chilling laugh. Unseen, a vicious smile appeared on his lips beneath his reinforced leather mask.
He could remember the rage pumping beneath his skin. He could remember power flowing in his veins. He could remember his small fists meeting their larger bodies and sending them flying as they were unable to resist the force his small build could employ. He could remember the sounds of bones breaking, muscles tearing, blood spilling... he remembered breaking them apart.
It was glorious.
They had thought they could control him. They had thought they could abuse him. They had thought that he would take it without complaint. This resentment in my heart, allow me to return it to you all a hundred-fold!, his eyes burned with satisfaction as he remembered their faces and expressions.
All beings feared the dark. Whether they be man or beast, all creatures that walk upon the earth instinctively avoid the dark - but not him. Never him.
The darkness was his home. It was his comfort - the one place where he was safe, where he could relax and truly rest. One could even say that the darkness is his safety blanket, protecting him from the world outside.
No...
... Frightened eyes gazed into his as he clutched on to his enemies unconscious forms. Upturned and scarred earth laid beneath him and his enemies as ghastly bluish-black flames surrounded them. Twisting shadows danced with the rhythm of the flames, moving under the beat of the energy inherently linked to life. They took a step back - his smile, growing vicious at the weakness they showed - and then, he pounced...
... Blood flew into the air...
... The overpowering scent of fear lingered in the air and he grew drunk - intoxicated with his strength...
... "Do you fear the dark?" his hand wrapped around the neck of the one who had tormented him the most. He relished in the choking sounds he made as his airways were being slowly crushed...
... He laid on the ground, subdued, as his blood leaked through the numerous wounds he had accrued. His vision was fuzzy; his young body was not durable enough to endure such a massive loss of life bearing liquid. His deaf ears could hear the soft steps of feet approaching him. His consciousness was fading. It was getting harder to think. As darkness grew at the edges of his vision, he saw a pair of high quality leather dress shoes stop before his fallen form...
No, that was wrong. The darkness kept the World safe from Him.
They feared him. Those outside of this room - of this prison - feared him deeply. They feared his strength as they were unable to comprehend the power he wielded. They feared the prowess of his mind for with a single mistake, a slight hesitation in their movements, it would be the signal of their defeat as he would strike with no hesitation; his mind laying out all the paths to victory before him.
All beings feared the dark. Whether they be man or beast, all creatures that walk upon the earth instinctively avoid the dark - but not them. To those who had faced him, the darkness did not scare them, nor did its hidden, unknown wonders. What they feared the most, is the monster that lay beyond the dark, the one that would slay the unknown phantasms leaving only his own undeniable, terrifying existence.
The arrogance they once displayed, the pride that was fundamental to their identity, to crush them beneath his foot... how satisfying! The fear they directed to him and their broken spirits was as intoxicating as the sweetest drink in the world.
He chuckled to himself once more. He had nothing to do within this lonely room other than to reminisce and scour his broken memories. Chains rubbed and clinked in the dark and the multiple manacles that bound his hands and feet were a constant reminder of what they had tried - and failed - to do.
For two years, they had tried to weaken me by trying to seal my Quirk, he thought. How funny would their faces be, when they eventually realize that they failed once more.
Seven Quirk Inhibitors bound his hands up to his elbows just as seven more wrapped his ankles and calves in an uncomfortable embrace. Fourteen Q.I.'s, this amount would have been sufficient to subdue even a villain of the same level power as the Number Two Hero: Endeavor rendering them powerless; unable to move, unable to use their power, only able to minutely move their eyelids as they blink and nothing else.
But not him.
Never him.
Izuku Midoriya would never succumb to this weakness. His Quirk, his inherent individuality, had continuously struggled - evolving and overcoming this obstacle. He would do no less. How could he? He would not bow under this pressure. He will get stronger. He will overcome all obstacles placed before him.
Sensitive ears pricked upon the slight noise from beyond the direction of which he thought the door would be at. He heard the release of the latch and silent rush of fresh air as the portal opened and yet, no light appeared within the dark room.
FLASH
A pillar of light came down from the heavens; symbolic in how it was the only beacon in the dark as it shined down on his seated form. Sensitive eyes - long used to the times spent in total darkness - tightly closed as pain rushed into his head. Damn, Izuku tried to ease his headache by shaking his head.
Suddenly, a hand grabbed him by the hair and lifted his head up. Pain flared from the roots of his hair, yet he paid it no mind. It was nothing compared to the level of pain he had handled every day.
Closed eyes opened and slowly got used to the bright light. Under the sudden illumination, he could see that he and his chair were the only things visible under the light, everywhere else in his room was still a dark, deep, black. Before him, right at the edge where darkness met light, were two silhouettes; a man and a little girl.
"Why is he restrained like that?"
His ears twitched as a young voice reached out into the dark. It was young, as young as he was perhaps? He didn't know as his sense for his supposed age had long since been muddled as while he could intellectually tell that he was a child, but emotionally, he felt he was so much older. Regardless of their age though, Izuku could still tell that it was a girl.
"This is to make sure the animal knows his place, milady. It wouldn't do if it were to rebel and bite the hand that feeds it."
Liar, he thought, you just don't want to get near me without these restraints. You're afraid.
The subtle trembling of the hand that held his head in place by his hair lead credence to this line of thought. Izuku was terribly amused at the bravado the man behind him tried to display.
For any other human without a quirk that enhances their senses, and even then, the room would have appeared to be only filled with darkness. For him, his eyes had quickly gotten used to the darkness and his vision pierced the abundant shadows. Inwardly, he grew amused. It seems like he had gotten stronger again if his quirk was starting to manifest even with this many Q.I.'s he had on his body.
Oh, wow. Eyes widened in surprise as he saw the place that he had been staying in for an unknown amount of time.
Glowing emerald eyes surveyed the opulent room that he had actually been given. It was covered with luxurious curtains and soft, thick carpets. The part of the floor he was seated at was marble in its entirety with no seams to indicate it had been cut; like the whole floor had been carved from a single block of the material.
His eyes-the only part of his body he could move as his head was still held in place by the hand gripping his hair-roved around the room, appreciating the beauty of the objects it held.
"Hoh~ can you see through my Veil, young one?"
A smooth, deep voice called out to him making his eyes snap towards the direction it originated. His eyes now capable of piercing through the darkness saw those two in their entirety.
He stood in a considerable height, well over all of the people gathered within this room and towered over what most would consider to be the above average height. Almost 7 feet tall, he was dressed in an impeccable suit of exquisite quality, like one of the many Mafia Dons of old, clinging tightly on his muscular frame. A youthful face greeted him one that indicated a high-borne bloodline as his raised cheekbones and tall nose would show. He looked to be a man in his early thirties, but to Izuku whose eyes had seen through numerous deceptions, his true age could not be anymore obvious. He may look much like a young man, but those wizened eyes told the truth of his story. Grey eyes were framed by stylish, frameless glasses and his head was topped with a messy mop of equally gray hair with a style much like his own.
He was handsome, many women would agree, but his presence was unnerving and chilling in a way that most would be unable to describe. His bulky musculature - hidden, but still visible through his charcoal-black and white, smart casual suit and dress shirt, only added to his intimidating size and presence.
Izuku held his gaze, unwilling to submit. He could feel that unnerving presence attempting to lower his spirit but he held on. His recently developed stubborn nature would settle for nothing less than total domination.
He will not submit.
He will not bow.
Izuku held this man's empty gaze with unquenchable ferocity. His eyes burned with monstrous determination, his gaze unyielding in its own intensity. Amusement appeared in the man's eyes and his empty smile seemed to have been filled with sparse emotion - making it more genuine. A nod was sent to his direction; an acknowledgment to him, it seemed. Turning his eyes, his gaze landed on the last of the pair.
She was beautiful, of that, there was no mistake. She may be young, but in Izuku's eyes, there was no doubt that she will soon grow to be a peerless beauty. Such was her vision that even he who had an enormous amount of resentment brewing in his heart, had been charmed; his breath stolen by her comeliness.
Youthful, sakura-pink lips curved into a lovely smile and pale cheeks colored upon his attention. Bluish-black hair made in a hime-style cut covered her back and reached down to her waist and blue-gray eyes lit up as they met his own. Pale, white shoulders were exposed under the thin shoulder straps of her white dress with blue ruffles that reached down to her ankles while her feet were adorned by pale blue sandals.
Her figure was petite, befitting a child her age; her face, angelic in its beauty. She possessed an overwhelming amount of symmetrical features that one could not help but wonder, is this really a human or is she a fantasy made real? A fairy made manifest upon this cruel world, perhaps? Clad in her pure white dress, one wouldn't be blamed for mistaking this as a dream for she was a vision of loveliness - a grace upon this ugly reality.
Suddenly, her eyes lowered as her expression became shy and the pink in her cheeks deepened in color. She turned her face to the side, seemingly in an attempt to hide her embarrassment. Izuku released a breath he did not know he was holding as he was entranced by her.
"Hmhmhm. It seems our young friend has been entranced by your beauty, Miyuki."
"Otou-sama... please do not tease Miyuki?"
Her voice were like the refreshing breeze of Spring; gentle and cool, one would not be blamed for wanting to hear her speak more.
An angel, he dazedly thought. She must have been an angel. A sharp pain made itself known to his scalp once more, and this time it was decidedly much more painful. Although it was not something he couldn't endure, the surprise he felt was voiced out instead.
"Ah...," the girl called out with widened eyes. Reaching her hand out she said, "Please, don't hurt him."
Whoever this girl was, she must be someone greatly respected, he thought as the grip on his hair lightened. He looked to the girl with hard eyes and saw her sigh in relief.
"Who..." he tried to speak, yet his voice was hoarse after so long without even a single drop of water. Swallowing whatever miniscule saliva his mouth had, he spoke once more, "Who are you...?"
"Do you know why you are here, Izuku-san?" the giant of a man asked as he laid a hand on - what he presumed to be, by her way of address earlier - his daughter all the while ignoring his own question.
He didn't answer. He didn't want to. Izuku was stubborn and though it would be petty, this was his own, small form of rebellion against these people who had become his captors. Not even when the hand on his head began to pulll warningly did he speak. Let them talk. I won't, he decided .
"You have a strong mind, Izuku-san. That is one of the reasons why I bought you in that slave auction. It is impressive how you have kept your mind so well even if - and I know, I'm sure - it is somewhat damaged, after your training." The man, that was what Izuku would continue to call him as he did not know his name, smiled in what seemed to be pride.
"Did you know? Our training is well-known for producing unquestioning, blindly obedient soldiers. Although, some flaws do exist in an otherwise perfect program; our products do tend to be too obedient and become mindless. Some may even call it a reprogramming, or a reconditioning."
Izuku did not know whether to be scared of the casual way he described the end result of the hell he went through, or the way he seemed to be delighted that he had not lost his mind. He glared at the man just as he had reached a hand out and tousled his fringes.
"You are very impressive. That mind of yours, that unbelievable strength of will, I want that. Aside from your power, I want that... desperately," a light burned in those empty eyes. A light that Izuku could not describe, yet he could feel the cold chill that touched his spine when he saw that light.
A low snap was heard within the room and the chains that bound him fell onto the floor. Interlinked chains from his manacles rattled as his arms fell to his side, numb after a long time bound into its previous position. Disbelieving eyes looked up to amused orbs.
"From now on, you will guard my daughter, my most precious treasure. You will live your life for her. Her wishes will be your command. Her orders, your reason for living,"
Light disappeared as darkness rose from every corner of the room. Warmth left as an unimaginable chill entered his bones. The man smiled but it was empty. His eyes were amused, but it was empty.
The man was empty, his whole being, a void that does nothing but take and devour.
"From now on, your life is hers and your fate shall rest in her words. Until your death, you are the property of my princess, Miyuki Yotsuba."
He gulped in fear. He was scared. His heart beat in terror at the unimaginable emptiness that he had perceived. Nevertheless, he will not back down. He will not submit. He will not bow.
Not for them.
"W-who," he inwardly cursed his stutter. "Who are you?"
The man smiled. It was neither his empty smile, nor was it that smile that threatened - no, promised - to devour everything it could reach until it has been satisfied. If one could perfectly describe it, it would have been normal. It was a normal smile filled with pride for an achievement, or whatever else.
Arms as thick as his body stretched to the sides in a parody of a priest's welcoming gesture. Eyes filled with inhuman emptiness looked upon him in child-like happiness.
"We, are the shadows that roam the ground. We, are the shadows that have been cast by the light. We, are the ones that nurture that same light.
We, are [ ]*, the emptiness that devours all that threaten the light."
He placed his right hand on top of his heart and did a bow, "But if you are asking for my appellation, then, many call me Sensei, The Trader, The Emperor, Demon King of the Far East; all of which are well-known within the belly of the Shadow Societies and many who are familiar with my face call me Genzou Yotsuba. But all who know of my existence know me as...
All for One."
()
"I cannot accept this."
"You're still going on about that...?"
Izuku sighed as a displeased voice entered his ears before he went back to his duties. The sun shined brightly yet gently - neither harsh in its brightness nor hot to the body - as fluffy, white clouds provided adequate cover from its blinding rays. If he had to say, the day was too perfect to waste by spending all of one's time within the mansion's walls.
It was the reason why he and his mistress were outside in the gardens. They were currently beneath a brown pergola that was built at the very center of a miniature hedge maze.
Seated on a white garden chair facing a similarly painted garden table, was a casually dressed Momo. She was dressed in a pretty yellow sundress and a gray shrug over her shoulders. Ruby red sandals adorned her feet with twining red straps that reached up to half of her slender calves. Her hair was out of her usual ponytail and was instead arranged into a thick, intricate fishtail braid with a pale pink ribbon tying her hair at the end.
Since his mistress was dressed in such a casual attire, he himself had been ordered to be more informal in her presence. As such, he was currently dressed in only a white dress shirt under a black waistcoat with golden buttons and a bow tie on his neck; his sleeves were rolled up to his elbows. Black formal pants and black leather dress shoes covered his lower body; a silver buckle being the only thing that truly drew one's attention in his otherwise plain attire. His jacket was neatly folded and was currently hung on the handle of the cart he had brought together with a plain white tea towel. His green hair was in its usual side-swept style and dangling cross earring was in its usual place.
Truly, aside from his missing jacket, Izuku looked the same as he always did.
Izuku sighed once more as he spotted the pout on her lips. Nothing I can do about it, he thought as he continued on his task. Quietly, he enjoyed the wind caressing his face as he carefully moved some items about on his cart. With a gentle flick of his wrist, a small tea stove lit up and heated a polished bronze kettle on top of it.
Leaving the water to boil, he carefully measured just the right amount of Black Tea leaves before pouring it into the French Press; leaving it there until the water finished boiling. Taking a three-tier cake stand filled with scones, sandwiches and cakes in hand, Izuku placed it at the center of the garden table with porcelain platters and silverware following after.
Turning to him with upturned eyes and pouting lips - She looks cute, he privately thought - she asked him, "Izuku, why didn't you get recommendations? Didn't you get the highest marks in the mock exams in both the practical and written portions? Typically speaking, with such outstanding scores you would be qualified for getting the recommendations into U.A.!"
"Putting aside the question of where you got hold of the results for the mock exams when they are supposed to be privately sent to the examinees... since this is a Hero School, its natural that they only have a limited amount of reserved seats for recommendations right? Its obvious that all of them have already been taken and so I was not able to make it for the recommendation."
Although his gaze was dry after hearing what should have been the result of an illegal action taken against a certified government body, he couldn't help but try to pacify his partner who had been lashing out with a sharp tongue.
"You understand right," he continued. "With such a limited amount of resources, it should only be natural that the system should be 'First Come, First Serve'?"
Hearing his answer, a sneer appeared on her face, twisting such beautiful features into a harsh expression of contempt. Anger simmered in her eyes as she turned her face away from her attendant.
"Yes, that should be how it is... - then, how do you explain why I, who was placed second to you, received the recommendation letter and yet you were passed by even if you were the rightful recipient of the honor?"
Momo's gaze were as sharp as her words as she glared at the white envelope bearing the seal of the National University of Heroics that contained a letter addressed to her and another separate sheet of paper that dictated the reason of her current dissatisfaction.
Izuku smiled in a self-deprecating manner. Of course he knew what his mistress was getting at. He knew why she was angry, but he knew that there was nothing that could be done about it. As he poured heated water into the french press, allowing the tea leaves to steep, he pondered on this current issue.
The National University of Heroics is the leading expert in national quirk research and education, he thought. Naturally, they are the one who have the authority to recommend exceptional talent to the various Hero Schools in the country.
His eyes were vigilant as he watched the infusion of flavor happen within the French press.
While they have been tasked with being impartial, the National University Recommendation Commission is still a council of humans - and when a group of humans come together, it is only inevitable that personal interest suddenly become much more important. While I'm sure that they only select the most talented of applicants, who's to say that they don't have a personal stake in their selections.
Looking at his mistress from the corner of his eyes, he could see that she was still disgruntled and upset over the matter. His lady was sharp; intelligent and clever beyond most. Izuku was sure that she had already deciphered why he had been left out of the list the first time she had opened and read the letter.
Vibranium.
It could only be because of that. This miracle material had been the one that revolutionized the world, and only one family can produce them.
Yaoyorozu-dono's company supplies Vibranium to every country in the world that can afford it. While this is the case, of course there is still the matter of priority. Vibranium can only be produced in very limited amounts, as such, even if countries could pay the price, not all of them can get it. Izuku could remember the long waiting list that he had seen once inside Suzuki's study in the mansion.
Priority for the right to purchase Vibranium depended on a lot of factors that the Yaoyorozu Conglomerate does not compromise on, but good deeds should be rewarded with good deeds, yes?
Izuku inwardly scoffed at that thought. When the Recommendation Commission saw that his mistress had applied for a recommendation into U.A., they must have surely thought that by granting her the recommendation they would be able to curry favor and get the country's government a much more favorable response for this month's negotiations for the acquisition of Vibranium.
Fools, he thought. Pouring the finished tea into a finely detailed teacup with elegant curves and detailed embellishments placed on top of a similar saucer, he laughed at their attempt, Yaoyorozu-dono is no fool. He will know that this was an attempt to curry favor, but there will be no chance that he will reciprocate. Milady's father is an upright man of great character. He is a fair man and will not allow anyone to gain an unfair advantage prior to entering negotiations.
"Even if you say that, milady, the fact is that it can't be helped," he said.
Setting the cup and saucer in front his mistress, ignoring her dissatisfied glare, Izuku turned to her and she looked away in a huff; he laughed in amusement making her pout worse. Now, what should I do to fix her mood..., he pondered. Momo noticed his eyes never looked away from her face, puzzling her as to why.
"What," she snappishly asked as an embarrassed glare appeared on her face - unable to endure the soft looks he had been sending her. "What are you looking at?"
He didn't answer her. His voice was quiet, his gaze... soft; it didn't take long until a harmonious atmosphere was shared between the two. Momo, feeling that the air had changed, lost her previous anger as pink appeared on her cheeks. Though she hadn't lost her glare, she struggled to maintain her expression before she ultimately turned her head to the side hoping that he would be unable to see her face.
Izuku watched as her cheeks darkened in shade. He watched her expressions as she lost her glare and as her face relaxed in increasing shyness. She looks so peaceful, he mindlessly thought. His eyes were gentle and affectionate in their gaze; Izuku did not notice, but his usual placid expression shifted into something more natural - something, more human.
"S-seriously," her eyes closed as she stuttered. "What are you looking at?"
"You."
Her cheeks gained a deeper color at his reply. Her face lowered slightly in embarrassment, yet her lips twitched into a smile.
"I'm grateful, you know? Ever since that incident I have not been the same, so, I always feel that I am being saved when you get angry in my place."
Izuku's voice was soft as he spoke to her. There was affection and gratitude in his words - something that anyone with ears would be able to tell - but for the two of them, there was an unexpressed feeling behind them. This undercurrent of emotion ran between them, telling one another of a message that could not be put into words.
"Liar."
"I'm not lying."
"Izuku you liar. You are always lecturing me...," Momo's voice carried a hint of sadness and disappointment, yet it was not one that could threaten their mood.
The sadness and disappointment she felt, they were in no way directed towards her attendant - rather, they were directed at herself. This was something that Izuku could tell. His mistress had always possessed the bad habit of placing everything on herself; to carry burdens that were not her's to carry, to blame herself for things that were not her fault.
One might even say that Momo Yaoyorozu feels insecure in herself, that she possesses an inferiority complex.
It had been more than a month - two and a half months, in fact - since the kidnapping in the most recent Musutafu Annual Charity Ball. Momo knew all his secrets just as he knew all the things that she kept to her chest. She was his confidant, just as he was hers; their bond would permit nothing but the truth between the two of them. As such, she knew what had occurred in that event. No details had been spared.
She had been horrified - beyond terrified, with the deed he had committed, at the blood that covered his hands as he returned to his, no, their prepared safe house, but she did not push him away. She could still remember, whenever she closed her eyes, as he had arrived inside their safe house just as their friend Hijiri had fallen asleep. His eyes were tired, his gait was clumsy - stumbling as he made his way towards her.
Although he had kept his usual pristine appearance - A butler is always presentable no matter the situation, he would always say in that mock-superior tone that never failed to make her laugh - she could spot the drop of red on his neck. Momo could remember cringing at the sight of fresh blood, but it was punted out of her mind as she took in his tired but struggling visage.
If I had been better, or, If I had been stronger, or, If I had been more on guard, such thoughts burned in her mind for the last few months. The blood in his spotless hands, she knew how they had been stained with them. She knew that his anger, his rage, at the thought of her getting hurt on the night where she was having fun and relaxing with their friend when there was little opportunity to do so, had set off his darker side. She was defenseless as she had let her guard down - something that mortified her as it had gone against everything that she had been taught in both Social Engineering and martial arts; it was anathema - which made her dependent upon her butler's protection.
How am I supposed to become a Hero if I am this careless!?, she thought in reprimand.
Because she had been careless, her Izuku had been forced to bathe in blood once more. He knew she was a capable person, and thus his worries were usually unfounded as he let her make her own choices - choosing only to interfere in the event that she had made a mistake - but on that night, she was careless and let her guard down; she had allowed his darker side to come out. It was a remnant from their pasts, from his childhood in That Place. Now, he was struggling to contain it once more. It was lucky that her servant had returned swiftly after finishing his self-appointed task and approached her; he had admitted that she was the only one who could calm him down.
He saw the crease on her forehead and guilty shine in her eyes, and Izuku could not help but feel helpless. He could protect her from assassins, he could protect her from people who would wish to take advantage of her, he could protect her from a sheltered life inside a mostly empty mansion, but, Izuku Midoriya is helpless to protect his mistress from herself - her own doubts. He couldn't stand that. He could not bear that sad expression on her face.
She shouldn't make faces like that.
Unbidden, his eyes were attracted to a single strand of unbound hair and his body moved on its own. A hand was raised, and with a gentleness that was in direct contrast to his more savage side that he had shown more than a month ago, his hand reached out and tucked it behind her left ear. Onyx met emerald in surprise, distracting Momo from her previous thoughts. The hand he moved, he did not remove it as he gently placed it on her madly red cheeks.
"I have already said that I was not lying. Are you really going to make me repeat myself for a third time?" there was a teasing lilt within his words that she could not help but react to.
"Even if you return the recommendation and reject it, it doesn't mean that I will be selected to receive it. If you decline it at this eleventh hour, you will not be able to avoid a blemish in your appraisal."
Eyes glistening in apology, she tried to speak but words stuck in her throat when she saw his face. His gaze was as gentle as it had always been when he looks at her. His face which was usually taut with alertness was fully relaxed in her presence even as a smile - something different from all the others she had seen him wear - settled on his lips.
Her heart shook and skipped a beat as she tried to brand that expression into her mind. She never wanted to forget that expression; for that was her goal. To give him as many chances and opportunities to make expressions such as these, that was the promise she made to herself after they first met.
... I'll make you smile. Even if you forgot how to do so, I will never give up until you have learned how to do so once again. To smile from your heart, to feel genuine happiness, I will make sure that you will experience that for many, many times from now on...
... That, is my promise!...
Brushing her pink cheeks gently with his thumb, he said, "I know you worry. You have always done so in concern of my well-being, but you must know, I hold you in my thoughts the same way you do for me."
A stunned expression was on his mistress's face which was followed swiftly by a flustered opening of her mouth. Though puzzled with the reaction, Izuku watched amused as Momo tried to speak but was unable, it seemed, to gather her thoughts to form a coherent sentence. He felt the burning warmth on the palm of his hand and he couldn't help but savor it; once more brushing his thumb across it with distracted thoughts in his head
Yes, it was this, he reminded himself. This is what I fight for. This peace... this small happiness... even if I am to be drowned in my own darkness and buried under my sins, as long as this person can have that warm, small share of happiness that I can provide... it will be worth it. All my suffering, all my pains, all my sacrifices, everything is worth it for this woman.
... My fate is your fate, my life(death) rests within your sword...
... Our contract is complete. My life rests in your hands - you are mine, just as I am yours...
Cheeks still pink, she placed her own hand on the one on her cheek, her expression calmed down from her earlier expressions of anger, increasing shyness, and embarrassment; all that was left was a light feeling in her heart. She looked up, straight into his eyes and the affection she felt could not be hidden at all; not even if she tried. Her smile was sweeter than any honey the world could provide and his heart melted at the sight; just as it was wont to do in the everyday he spent with her.
"We'll still be together right?"
Unease was evident in her words. She didn't want to be separated from him.
"Yes," was his firm reply. "Although I may not have received the recommendation, there is still the entrance exam."
His reply burned like an inferno and was just as unyielding. Izuku would pass the test - of that, there could be no doubt. She felt assured after hearing his words, after all, when had her butler ever lied to her? He said - no, he promised her that he will pass and that they will be heroes together and that will be what will happen.
"I am aware that the recommended students are allowed to watch the regular examinees' tests. By then, please watch me, milady. For you, I will do my best."
She laughed as her worries were put to rest. If her over-competent servant actually did his best then there was no need to worry. U.A. will need to be ready because she was sure that they had never had a student like her Izuku. She looked at his resolute face and she continued to enjoy this moment in time as her feelings solidified; cold tea left forgotten on the table.
Momo was sure that there was nothing left to worry about and continued to enjoy his company. After all...
He was one Hell of a Butler.
()
A light mist covered the streets as the skies slowly turned blue with the rising of the sun. During such early hours one wouldn't normally see people in the streets until two or three hours later, but, that was not the case for the Musutafu Market District as storekeepers are usually awake earlier than most in order to prepare their shops. Although the proprietors were wide awake, they were not the only ones as customers who wish to take advantage of the small amount of people are up and about.
Izuku was one of them.
"Oh?," a voice called out to him from the side. "Ain't this Izuku-han? Haha, how've you been? Long time no see!"
Turning to his side he saw a bear of a man waving to him from one of the stores next to a white mini truck. He stood taller than his own five feet and nine inches with muscular arms that were as big as a toddler's head. He was dressed in a plain white shirt that had its sleeves rolled up to his shoulders and brown pants with durable cloth. A grey apron was tied around his waist and a white strip of twisted cloth was wrapped around his forehead.
Kuma Kumatani was certainly a large man that towered over all others who didn't have an abnormal height. Certainly, that was an eye-catching characteristic for an individual, but, to Izuku who had been acquainted with this person, his most identifying feature was his face - it was a bear, a brown bear to be specific.
"Kumatani-san? Good morning, it's been a long time!"
"Haha, g'morning!"
Furred lips pulled back in a manner similar to a snarl, leaving one with the image of an enraged bear; his terror-inducing image, was a direct contrast to his friendly and cheerful voice. Beady, black eyes narrowed in what seemed to be a glare, but Izuku was familiar enough with the man to know that it was an action made out of delight.
Izuku approached him and was treated to a hearty slap to the back, and certainly, it was as painful as its echo sounds like. Bearing through it with a grin, Izuku tried to ignore the sting on his back.
"Where've you been, Izuku-han? It's been some time!"
"Likewise," he replied. "I've been somewhat busy so, I'm sorry if I hadn't been here as often as before."
"Hoh~, busy takin' care of yer young mistress, eh?"
While a bear's face was certainly hard to read, that was not the case for Kuma's tone of voice. Izuku could clearly hear the suggestive message that his bear-headed acquaintance tried to convey. A light blush appeared on his cheeks as he shyly scratched the back of his head.
"How many times do I have to tell, you? It isn't like what your thinking, Kumatani-san." lowering the bill of his brown newsboy cap, Izuku tried to cover his embarrassed face.
"Hahaha!"
"Oof!"
Coughing out in surprise, Izuku sent an indignant glare but it was summarily ignored as Kuma boisterously laughed, " Could've fooled me, with how yer actin' 'round her! But, if that really is the case, that'd be good, 'cuz otherwise, Mimi would'a been very disappointed!"
Mimi Kumatani, a small slip of a ten year old girl, was the daughter of Kuma Kumatani. Unlike her father, she had inherited most of her features from her mother and sported wild brown hair, a cute face and a small button nose; from her father, she had inherited his bear ears. Remembering that fiery tempered little girl who had once declared that she will be marrying him, Izuku could only awkwardly smile.
"Anyway, anythin' you wanted to buy, Izuku-han?"
"Ah, that's right!," Izuku's eyes widened as he remembered his purpose in going to the market this early. "Do you have any fresh fish available?"
"Yup!" Kuma smiled as a massive hand heavily slapped the side of his white mini truck causing it to shake under his strength. "Yer lucky, I jus' got back from Tsukiji so you'll be my first customer o' the day! But, why d'ya need fish anyway? I could've sworn I saw one of yer maids buy some from Old Sakana down the street yesterday."
Upon that reminder, Izuku couldn't help but remember why he needed purchase fish this early in the morning. His brow twitched in irritation as he was reminded of one of his subordinates mistake. Shadows danced on his face and an eerily sweet smile spread on his face. Kuma, seeing his expression, subtly flinched in fear.
Scary!, his bear fur seemingly paled in fear upon seeing the dark atmosphere that proliferated around his younger companion's form. He sweated in buckets as an eerie music played unseen in background. So scary!
"Fufufu," a low laugh slipped from Izuku's lips, and Kuma unconsciously stepped back. "Milady wanted to have a traditional breakfast this morning and so I instructed the maids to purchase the necessary ingredients the other day."
His ears twitched as screams increased in volume - he didn't know where they were coming from - setting his instincts into overdrive.
"This morning, as I was preparing milady's breakfast, mysteriously, our fish seems to have disappeared! Shocking right?"
The devil's smile widened as the screams of the damned screamed louder. Kuma tried to escape but his body was frozen in fear and could only take another step back.
"Of course, I tried to find out why this happened, and what do you know? The culprit was one of the newer maids. She had a cat quirk you see, so she had the same instincts and some features of a cat."
The screams were deafening as they bombarded his ears with cries of mercy, resentment, hatred, pleasure, and cries for help. The devil close his eyes as his smile widened a tad bit to inhuman lengths while his surroundings darkened. Slowly, a form came out of the darkness. Stringy black hair grew from a horned head that was slowly turning bald, just as pale blue lips on a deathly pale face stretched into a gruesome smile - exposing bloody fangs.
"Naturally, that behavior will not be tolerated among our staff," his teeth glinted in the sparse morning light as his inhuman smile simply looked the slightest bit unhinged. "So I had to... punish her. Kukuku. Her reactions were most... entertaining."
The screams echoed in his head even as an intense orchestra of mind-numbing music and satanic Latin chanting blanked his mind. Beady black eyes widened, unable to look away as blood dripped from illusory - and he knew it was illusory! It had to be! - demonic eyes.
"And that's why I had to buy more fishes here today."
As if it were all an illusion, everything seemed to snap back into normality. The dark atmosphere disappeared, no demonic music, no Latin chanting, no screams, and no Rakshasas bleeding through their eyes! Was everything a lie?, Kuma thought.
Izuku opened his eyes and saw Kuma pressing his massive body into a wall behind him. His eyes narrowed in confusion as he saw his friend's wide eyes and terrified visage. The smell of sweat and wet fur made him crinkle his nose and asked, "Kumatani-san, a-are you ok?"
"Th-this one is fine, there is n-no need to w-worry."
"Why are you suddenly speaking in polite speech?" His sense of confusion only grew as he saw bear fur puff up and shiver in fright.
"N-nothin'," Kuma stuttered in reply. "Izuku-han, yer one scary kid."
Izuku turned his head to the side and pouted as he felt that that description doesn't apply to him at all. I'm not that scary you know, he thought. If other people who knew him were aware of what he was thinking, they would certainly agree that he was an entirely scary person.
"Anyway," trying to ignore the earlier incident, Kuma tried to get back on to their earlier topic. "What d'ya need? I think I have it here in stock."
"Show me what you got."
Kuma opened the containment doors of his white mini truck and showed towering piles of stacked coolers. With his strength that was on par with the animal he resembled, he quickly brought a few out and showed ice filled coolers packed with fresh fish. Shishamo smelt, Sea bream, Bonito, Mackerel, Eel, all of these were displayed proudly from within their containers. Izuku could even see a cooler filled with Pacific Saury.
"There are some Maguro out in the back of the pile if you want to see it too."
"No no, these are fine. These are some very good fishes, Kumatani-san." Izuku said as he quickly picked out his choices. "I'll take some mackerel and eel, and also - "
He turned his head abruptly - startling Kuma as his eyes were directed towards the mini truck. Kuma blinked in puzzlement, "Izuku-ha -..."
"Shh!"
Izuku placed a finger on his lips as he asked the bear-man to quiet his voice. Sharp ears twitched and perked as it heard the disturbance it had sought. Achoo!, it was a small, muffled sound that came from within the mini truck container. He heard a sniffle before another muffled sneeze came from within.
"Hello?," he called out gently as he approached the truck container. Hearing a small gasp, he stopped at the door and said, "Are you there?"
Naturally, there was no answer. A slight application of strength let him leap into the entrance and slowly walk into the container. Hasty shuffling could be heard as well as the ruffle of cloth and heavy breathing.
"Don't worry, I won't hurt you." he called out again in that same gentle voice that had captured his mistress complete attention in multiple times, hoping that whatever it was that was in his voice could calm down his little goal.
There, at the back of the container in between two coolers, was a little girl. Slowly, he stepped closer to her only to stop as she started to whimper. Two red eyes, glistening like precious rubies, stared at him; trepidation and terror evident from deep within. Where have I seen eyes like those before, Izuku thought to himself as flashes of green fire and and feminine shouts ran through his mind. Kneeling in front of her, yet not daring to take another step forward, he kept his eyes on her's at all times.
Carefully he looked over her, trying to see if she was injured or if there was anything wrong. She was small, Perhaps five or six years old?, he thought as he stared at her pure white hair and a single blunt yellow horn that peeked through the strands on her forehead. She was cute, of that there could be no doubt, as her smooth, round cheeks and wide ruby red eyes manifested a desire to shield her from the world within a person. She was dressed in rags and fresh bandages wrapped around her arms; something that was a cause for alarm.
Izuku's eyes narrowed as suspicions began to brew within his mind. He was broken out of his thoughts when he saw the subtle shivering of the little girl in front of him. His gaze softened as a sense of sympathy permeated his being.
"Don't be scared. It's alright," he whispered in what he hoped to be in a soothing tone. "It's alright, no one's going to hurt you."
It's working, he thought. Happy that although she was still shivering, he could see that it was no longer out of terror, but out of the chilly air. Slowly, patiently, he inched closer towards someone who was clearly in need of help. Although Izuku was not a person who would particularly care if someone died in front of him, he could feel something - a connection, that tied him and her together.
A sense of understanding.
A sense of sympathy between those who had gone through the same things.
He looked into her eyes and he was reminded of the time he had spent in [ ]. He was reminded of the loneliness. He was reminded of the pain he would go through. He would remember the nights wishing for relief. He would remember wishing for someone to talk to, to share the days with.
He wished for someone to save him.
He held out his hand - something he wished someone would have done for him in the past - reaching out towards her with his palm facing up. Never did he break his gaze from her; trying to convey that he understood.
"Everything will be alright, now," he declared with all the certainty in the world. "Why? I am here."
Precious red eyes glistened with tears as she understood. A pale white hand slowly, hesitantly, placed itself within his and Izuku firmly grasped it in turn. I won't let go, he seemed to say, yet no words came out of his mouth. Her hands were cold, he noted. It was cold from the chill within the container, but what was more evident to him, was that it was cold since no one had ever held it before.
"I won't let go. I know, how it feels like to have no one to hold to. It's lonely isn't it? It crushes you, doesn't it? It's painful, that feeling in your chest when you know no one is there for you even as others continuously take advantage of you... when you have to be strong since no one would protect you in your weakness... I know that feeling all too well. That's why, I won't let go. I'll hold on until you tell me otherwise, and I know, I have a feeling that will not be coming for a long time."
Tears fully sprung and rolled down pink cheeks and her shoulders shook from repressed sobs. Izuku knew that those pearl-like tears were not out of sadness, but rather a genuine happiness that she had found someone who understood. Faster than he could blink, she rammed into his chest and his arms immediately wrapped around her cold form.
A star burst from within his Space-That-Should-Not-Exist forming his desired ability. It was a minor power of being able to control his temperature and with it, he raised his generated heat to provide the cold girl in his arms some warmth. A sigh of relief came from within his chest as she snuggled deeper into his arms.
"My name is Izuku Midoriya. What's your name, little one?," he asked.
"... Eri," she mumbled from within his embrace.
Placing a hand on her head and gently stroking her hair, Izuku asked with a small smile on his face,
"Well, currently you have two choices Eri. We can either go to the orphanage and put you in foster care," something she must disagree with if the stiffening of her shoulders were any indication. "Or, you can choose to come with a suspicious Onii-san like me. What do you choose?"
Pulling out from his embrace, Eri held her chin in her hand as she made a show of thinking deeply on the subject - something that amused Izuku and left his heart feeling light as she was already getting comfortable with him. After a few seconds of making a show of her decision, Eri silently pointed at him.
"I see," he breathed out in relief. "I'm glad."
"Oi, Izuku-han! Everythin' alright in there?" Kuma's booming voice called out from outside the mini truck's container, causing the shy Eri to hide behind him.
"Everything's fine, Kumatani-san. I'll be coming out soon."
Standing up from his knees, Izuku took a step forward before turning back and holding out his hand once more. Bright morning light streamed into the cramped container, bathing his outline in heavenly light. To Eri, this was something that would always remain in her mind. This was something that would brand into her memories as the day that she had been saved. This person in front of her, he was someone she was glad she was able to meet.
Whether it was through chance, or a quirk of fate, Eri was glad to have met you, she would always think.
"Come, let's go home Eri."
"Home...," she muttered as she grabbed on to his hand.
As they walked out of the container and towards a stunned Kuma Kumatani, Izuku abruptly stopped and turned towards his new charge with a mischievous smile and wink and said,
"By the way, I want to get this out before anything else. This Onii-san is one Hell of a Butler, you know?"
*Kuuhaku/Blank