8

Plus Ultra

Izuku was left standing at the entrance to U.A. He was bitting his lower lip in frustration. "... Uraraka." Knowing he was being pulled back in. A part of him was begging his legs to run after her. He forced himself not to, he wanted to head back, but he couldn't either. He couldn't just turn around and walk back into the workshop with Hatsume like nothing happened. More and more, Todoroki's words hit him. The everlasting chase between him and Uraraka, the newfound awkwardness with Hatsume, and his midnight affair with Yaoyorozu. "I did this?" Although subconsciously he knew the answer, admitting it was another matter.

"You did what, Midoriya?"

It caught him off guard, hearing her. He turned to the voice. "Ts-Tsuyu!?" Thinking of the other girl Todoroki listed.

"Hm, what's wrong, you're more jumpy than usual?" She innocently stared up at him.

He quickly caught himself. "Oh, you know I just think it was how quiet you were."

"Thanks, I'm always trying to improve my stealth."

He tried not to cringe. 'She took it as a progression of her skill.' He began to fidget at her unblinking stare. With a nervous sweatdrop, "Tsuyu, er, is something wrong?"

"You need a day off." She stated matter of fact.

"Eh?"

"Today, ribbit."

"Today?"

"Yes."

"Yes... " He sighed with sagged shoulders. "But the thing is my arm, it's not really responsive lately."

"Don't worry, I've helped you before, remember. My tongue is like another arm." Casually tossing his excuse aside.

"Yeah, I remember." He mumbled with a dropped head and tinted cheeks. 'I've been such a burden on her! And she still looks out for me!' He lifted his head in shame. He stared at her with a weak smile. "Wanna get on the swings when we get there?"

She grew that lily pad smile with her adorable tongue sticking out. "Of course."

The sound of vibrating chains complemented the croaks and ribbits of joy she let out. Izuku had a relaxed smile, pushing her with his good hand. He slowly transitioned to sitting on the swing next to her. She started to propel herself. He was absently staring off, sky gazing. Tsuyu noticed his eyes, following them, staring off to the clouds.

"You were right. I needed this." He let out content.

Froppy gradually let the momentum fall, using her shoes to skid a stop. "Midoriya?" Holding the chains, one with each hand, turning her body to him, facing him.

"Hm, yeah, what is it?" He ended his gaze towards the faraway sky, turning his head to her.

"You still haven't answered my question?"

"Hm, really? What was it again?" He let out a laugh for not knowing.

"When you said to yourself, 'did I do this?' Do what exactly?" With a deadpan voice.

Although he could hear the worry in her voice, he almost fell off the swing. He was able to catch a chain link right before he flipped back on his ass. "I, um," Scratching his cheek out of nervous habit. She was staring directly at him, 'and I can't come up with an excuse!' He sighed in defeat. He knew he couldn't tell her about Momo, or Hatsume, 'maybe Hatsume.' He did know he could talk to her about Uraraka. Before he did, he thought of Todoroki's words. 'Tsuyu isn't... We're not like that. She's definitely my friend.' He sucked up a deep breath and let it out, facing her. "It's, it's about Uraraka." He sighed again, seeing the disbelief in her eyes. "Okay, it's a lot more. It's just lately, I don't know... It feels like every step I take is the wrong one. Nothing's adding up but at the same time, it does. I'm so confused. It only looks like I know what I'm doing, but..."

"Hm," With her finger on her lips. "Let's take it slow, wanna talk about Uraraka?"

His eyes widened, taken aback. "If it's okay with you?"

"I asked didn't I?"

He chuckled weakly and told her what happened today. She digested the info easily. "I figured as much."

"Then why'd you ask?!" This time falling off the swing. He grunted, getting back up. "What do you mean though?" He could tell she was conflicted with telling him, which meant it was a difficult situation for her.

"About a week ago she mentioned something about being a better hero because of you, seeing you like that today must have stirred up something inside of her."

"...Oh." With a dry throat. His eyes were shadowed, staring at the ground.

"Ribbit..." Sharing a moment of silence for his sake. After it was over she gave some advice. "Midoriya." He lifted his eyes back up to hers as she spoke, "I might not know what's going on with you lately, I can guess but rather not." Breaking her eyes away from his for a moment. He parted his lips slightly dejected at the act. They both recovered just as quickly. She began her words as she started to turn to him. "I think you should rest. It looks like you barely sleep, I know you're using the support course as an excuse, I'm not gonna pry any more than I am. I'm just worried and I'm asking you to think about your actions." A sniffle laced in her voice.

"Tsuyu..."

"And for the last time, call me Tsu." She giggled out a weak croak. She hopped off the swing. "It's getting late I should be heading home."

"Um, I, you know?" He stood up, staring at her, giving her this look he wanted her to understand.

"I do, and I guess that's what I don't like about it. And I mean it, take some time for yourself, Midoriya." She turned to walk away.

He almost reached out but didn't. His fist was clenched in frustration. He forced himself to open his mouth. "I will! I-I mean, I'll definitely take your advice, Tsu."

She stopped. She spun on the balls of her feet, facing him. "Do your best!" Giving him the thumbs up they share before turning back around and heading home.

"Yeah, thanks." He really was grateful for her friendship. 'Really...'

After the day he spent with Tsuyu, he decided to make one last stop. The sun had set leaving a fading orange and purple light to the clouded swirled sky.

He subconsciously followed the one-way path as soon as he arrived at the memorial. The cherry blossoms long since scattered giving it a hollow aura. People used to visit here often, Izuku glanced left and right at the empty benches. He stopped, stepping in front of it. He closed his eyes before opening them. He started at the bottom then rose his eyes with a bittersweet melancholy.

"Hey, All-Might..." He was at his hero's burial/memorial sight, standing in front of the statue. The statue was postered in his famous pose and the plaque was inscribed with one quote.

I Am Here!

"It's been a while, huh? Sorry, I've been caught up with a lot of stuff." He smirked to himself, if All-Might were here he would probably laugh with blood spilling out his mouth, telling him not to apologize to the dead. "Kacchan still hasn't forgiven me... I don't think he ever will but it's gotten to the point where he's just being toxic to himself. I let it go..." At this point, he was probably sure All-Might would place his hand on his shoulder and ask him if he was sure and if he wasn't just using Yaoyorozu and the others as distractions. Deku's shoulders tensed before sagging and he dropped his head.

"No, I'm not. All-Might... I want... I want to be a hero, again!.."

The hollow steps echoed as he ran ahead in the underground path. He saw a sealed door, he increased full cowling and smashed through with his iron soles. "Eri!" He could see the small child with Chisaki and one of his other members.

"Oh, a hero made it?" Overhaul turned back to the settling debris, he slowly slipped his glove off. Eri was trembling, seeing the boy who hugged her, she didn't know why though, what was this feeling? Hope?

"I won't ever let go of her again!"

And alone, Deku clashed with Overhaul. It was a struggle for both sides. Izuku couldn't get a clean hit and Overhaul's transmutation ability wasn't fast enough to keep up with Deku. After agonizing over wasting one of his bullets, a clean kick to his ribs decided he had no choice.

Deku's eyes widened seeing the weapon they were briefed on about to be used. It didn't matter he would be able to dodge it. He paled seeing them aim it at her.

He clenched his fist and eyes shut. He had no other option, he had to save Eri and finish this. He increased full cowling to his uppermost limit, bursting in front of Eri to intercept the shot. He pulled his fist back. His veins glowed with power. He knew the doctors and Recovery Girl repeatedly berated him about it, if he did it again he would lose his arm but he ignored all of it. Someone needed his help.

"Plus Ultra!" Unleashing the final attack, he felt the bullet pierce his chest.

The whole underground area erupted with trembles.

Lemillion had been running for forever, after that last fissure he knew something was wrong. He heard weak steps approach. He skidded to a stop prepared for a fight. His black marbles grew seeing him.

Deku was tattered in blood, holding Eri on his back, taking shaky steps, almost stumbling to fall, but forcing himself to keep going. After another step of pure will, his heavy eyes glanced up from the ground to Togata. He smiled at him.

"Don't worry... We did it. She's safe. She's safe..." The last words he uttered as he passed out.

The last words he uttered as a hero.