まさかの時の友こそ真の友

Masakanotokinotomokosomanotomo

A friend in need is a friend indeed

Just because I was off the streets didn't mean I was out of trouble. During my several months living as a homeless child on the run, I had found out several flaws in my plan to disappear forever. The main problem being that plenty of teenagers thought they could make a name for themselves by bullying defenseless homeless people. I was against this idea, and whenever I saw a gang of "cool kids" looking to build themselves a reputation, would stand in the way. As a result, I had a few… enemies.

One of these enemies included a gang of teenagers who roamed the alleys near Missus Yukihime's shop, known as the Crushed Cans. They had never forgiven me after a week into my training with Mister Aizawa, I had refused to give them my money and dislocated their leader's shoulder. Every chance they had, they tried to run me down and beat me up. Naturally, I used all of my acrobatic skill to evade them.

Like now.

"GET BACK HERE YOU BITCH!" Someone screamed. I glanced over my shoulder to see the boy with a spiky purple mohawk trip over a trash-can lid and fall face first into the ground. My three other pursuers didn't bother to help him up, instead chasing after me more vigorously. I picked up speed as well, using my hyper-trained footwork to step over piles of trash and rubble as I led the Crushed Cans through the network of alleyways I had called home for months.

"YOU FUCKING BITCH!" Another teen called. This one had red dyed hair (much uglier than Kirishima's) and a crooked nose. "WE'RE GONNA GET YOU!"

Hopping on-top of a dumpster, I used it as a platform to leap onto a window sill, running along the series of windows towards the open street where I could hide in the crowd. I narrowed my eyes in frustration as I ran, ducking a brick that smashed into the wall over my head. Despite being much stronger and more skilled than the wanna-be gangsters following me, I couldn't just turn around and beat them up. Yesterday's sports festival had taken a lot out of me, and as a student of Yuuei Academy, being seen pummeling teenage punks was bad. Very bad.

Jumping off the last window sill, I turned around mid-air. I sent the "gangsters" a peace sign, grinning victoriously at how far behind they were. "Y-YOUR N-NAME IS STILL S-STUPID!" I hollered at them, before concealing myself in the gaggle of school-girls walking by. They were so busy talking, they barely even noticed I was there. I sighed in relief, knowing that if I followed these girls for a few more blocks, I'd reach asylum in the flower shop.

Unfortunately, the Crushed Cans were feeling more idiotic than usual. They came charging into the street, apparently still determined to track me down. My eyes widened, and I frantically scanned the area around me for a safe place - I spotted a familiar set of bangs, color split neatly down the middle. Across the street, Shouto Todoroki had his head hidden by his hoodie, staring at his phone.

I rushed over to him. "H-hey Todoroki!" I chirped, deciding that he was the lesser of two evils. I'd take intimidation over possible suspension any day. "M-mind if I w-walk w-with you for a b-bit?" I requested, hoping he wouldn't comment on my disheveled clothing.

"Fine," Todoroki agreed shortly, barely glancing up from his phone. I smiled happily, continuing to search the area around me in case the Crushed Cans noticed where I was. They were currently futilely trying to spot me in the opposite direction I had walked, so I was relatively sure I was safe as long I walked ahead of Todoroki. "Why are you being chased?" Todoroki observed dully.

I grinned sheepishly, not really wanting to answer that question. "I h-had a c-conflict of interests w-with s-some people," I not-answered, adding under my breath, "If you can call stealing 'interest.'"

"Stealing?" Todoroki repeated, looking up from his phone screen. I squeaked in surprise, because apparently I wasn't as quiet as I thought I was.

I waved my hands frantically. "I-it's fine, I've l-lost th-them anyways," I rushed as we turned the street corner. Todoroki shrugged, returning to his phone. I fidgeted awkwardly, wondering if I should say something or leave him alone. "So… w-where are y-you going?"

"To visit my mother," He answered curtly.

I blinked in shock. "Oh," I tugged on my braids, now feeling even more uncomfortable. "W-what hospital is sh-she in?" I asked finally.

"Hirahara Medical Center," Todoroki said, stopping in front of a crosswalk.

I halted as well. "R-really? Th-that's actually aross th-the street f-from w-where I'm going," I remarked. Missus Yukihime's flower shop was down the street from the Hirahara Medical Center, it was how she got many of her customers. People usually wanted to buy flowers for their sick friends or family. And now that I had thought of it… "Are y-you g-going to get your m-mother flowers?" Todoroki glanced at me like I was crazy. "S-seriously, she'd probably l-love it if you did," I told him.

He started across the street without answering me, and I hurried to keep up with him. My shortness was so frustrating at times like this! After several, long moments of silence, Todoroki responded. "... My mother liked arranging flowers when I was younger."

I grinned brightly. "P-perfect, then I know w-what t-to do! Follow me!" It was my turn to hurry ahead of him, and Todoroki followed me as I crossed two more streets and turned left at the block opposite of the Hirahara Medical Center. Missus Yukihime's shop was fit in between a ramen bar and a beauty salon, which I had taken food/hygiene items from before I had money. Ignoring the alluring smell of pork ramen wafting from the restaurant, I tugged open the glass door of the shop, ignoring the familiar tinkle of the bell. I glanced over my shoulder at Todoroki, who was standing behind me and staring into the store awkwardly. "C-come in!" I said expectantly, holding the door open.

Missus Yukihime peeked her head out from the back. She looked between Todoroki and I. "A friend?" She asked, evidently wondering who I had dragged into her shop and why.

I glanced over at Todoroki, who was focused on the flower displays, not really sure how to answer that question. "S-sort of," I said finally. "W-we'll be out of h-here s-soon, d-dock this from m-my pay, okay?" Missus Yukihime nodded, returning to her small office in the back of the store (which I wasn't allowed in without permission). I stepped towards Todoroki, who still wasn't paying attention.

Getting onto my tip-toes, I barely managed to tap his shoulder, although it was really more of his back. He spun around immediately, and I decided not to question his defensive reaction. I really already knew why anyways.

"S-so, th-this is f-for your m-mother right? I assume y-you haven't visited her b-before?" I asked. Todoroki nodded, refusing to make eye-contact with me. I wanted to make a speech about how he should've visited her before this, but I decided that it was better he was at least making an effort now. "O-okay then, you'll w-want… p-pink carnations and w-white tulips. Th-that should b-be good," I thought aloud, trying to pick out the flowers with the correct meanings for the message I guessed Todoroki would want to convey.

Choices made, I strode over to the tulip display in the corner, turning the spinning rack around until I found the correct color bulbs. Plucking out six or seven white tulips, I then headed over to the carnation rack, finding the pink flowers. Missus Yukihime kept them well stocked, since they were very popular during the holidays for kids to give to their mothers. Tucking them into the bouquet intermittently, I turned back around, handing Todoroki the neat bundle of flowers. He took them, and then stared at them blankly.

I coughed to break the building awkward tension. "U-uh, g-give those to her, she'll like th-them," I said. Todoroki nodded, and I shifted from foot to foot. "Th-thanks for w-walking me here then. B-bye," I finished, rushing behind the counter.

Before I could finish fleeing into the back of the shop, Todoroki called out to me. "Wait," he interrupted. I froze, feeling an odd sense of deja vu. "... Thanks." he said finally.

"Y-you're welcome," I stammered, ducking my head to hide my flushed cheeks. "S-see you in s-school t-tomorrow," I said, escaping into the back of the store. The tinkle of the bell marked Todoroki's exit from the shop. I mentally wished him luck reconciling with his mother, and knocked on the door of Missus Yukihime's office.

"Come in!" She called through the white door. I slipped it open, poking my head inside. Missus Yukihime was sitting at her desk shoved up against the wall of her closet sized office. She didn't look up at me, shuffling through a pile of papers showing finance information for the shop. Briefly noting the numbers on the spreadsheets, my hands tugged on my braids nervously.

"I o-owe y-you four d-dollars, along w-with tonight's pay," I informed her quietly.

Missus Yukihime hummed in acknowledgment. "May I ask what that was about?"

"My c-classmate was going to v-visit his mother in the Hirahara M-Medical Center," I answered, being deliberately vague. I liked Missus Yukihime, but I'd only known her for a few months. I couldn't be sure she was trustworthy, especially with an instant claim to fame like Endeavor's wife being secretly hospitalized for years.

"Alright then. I'll dock tonight's pay, but you can keep the extra four dollars," Missus Yukihime declared, and I nodded. The clock on the wall ticked loudly for a few more seconds.

"Th-thank you," I finished finally, stepping out of the office. Missus Yukihime hummed again in acknowledgement, and I shut the door behind me. Moving into the backroom, where I slept, I sat down at the tiny table that doubled as my desk. Dropping my face into my hands, I groaned unintelligibly. Why was I so awkward? Why couldn't Todoroki be better at talking than me, like the rest of my friends? That would make this so much easier!

The next day, it was raining. I waited at the bus stop for my usual bus towards the school in misery. Missus Yukihime had loaned me an umbrella, but it was small and pink, and it made me look like even more of a child than usual. When the bus finally arrived, I rushed up the steps, being careful not to slip. Grabbing one of the bars in the back, because there were no open seats, I waited quietly for the vehicle to start. Looking out the window, I watched other people with raincoats and larger umbrellas rush from place to place in the downpour.

I felt a short tug on my jacket sleeve. I glanced downwards, and my eyes widened in surprise at the sight of a familiar baseball cap brim with a strawberry drawn on. The little redheaded girl from the Sports Festival grinned up at me joyfully, clearly ecstatic to see me again. "Morning, Miss Kurosaki!" She chirped.

I remembered her name immediately, feeling extremely grateful for my nearly perfect memory. "Good morning, Michi-chan," I greeted her calmly, smiling back. "What's up?"

"I'm going to school!" Michi informed me importantly. "This is the bus I usually take, and I saw you, so I told Mama -" she paused, eyes widening in realization, before turning to look down the bus aisle. "Mama! It is Miss Kurosaki! I told you so!" She called triumphantly, before turning back to me. "- that I wanted to talk to you, and tell you that you did awesome!" She pumped her small fist, eyes shining. "You were so cool! I told Mama I'm gonna be a hero-princess just like you someday!"

I giggled, startled by her sudden, random declaration. "I'm not a hero quite yet, Michi-chan," I corrected. "Also, what makes you think I'm a 'hero princess'?" I asked amusedly.

"Well, that's what the Boom-Boom boy called you," Michi told me matter of factly. "And your hair is all pretty like a princess too!"

I laughed so hard I snorted at her new title for Bakugo, and then covered my mouth in surprise, eyes wide. I'd never snorted before. Finally, I reached down and patted Michi's head. I didn't have to reach very far, because I was disturbingly short. "I guess that works," I agreed. "I'll make sure to tell Boom-Boom boy about your new name for him, I think he'll like it."

"Really?" Michi begged, staring up at me with big blue eyes hopefully.

I nodded, unable to stop grinning despite how my cheeks hurt. "Really," I confirmed. "Now why don't you go sit with your mother again?"

"Okay, Miss Kurosaki!" Michi cheered, running back down the aisle. I saw her climb into her mother's lap, excitedly telling her about what I'd said. Still smiling to myself, I gripped the bar as the bus started moving, ignoring the mutters of the other passengers who recognized me from the Sports Festival as well. I loved talking to kids, and I loved not stuttering.

I arrived at school eight minutes before the bell. Leaving my shoes and umbrella in the foot-locker room, I headed up to Class 1-A, visiting the teachers' lounge on my way up to grab the attendance sheets. I had learned that if I didn't grab them before class, Mister Aizawa would only send me later to pick them up, because he was too lazy to do it himself.

Walking up the classroom in silence, I dropped the papers on Mister Aizawa's podium, and sat down at my desk. Izuku had yet to arrive, so I turned around to face Momo, who was early as well. The taller girl was staring at her hands on her desk in silence, looking oddly solemn.

I waved at her, grinning. "H-hey Momo!" I chirped.

Momo raised her head slowly. "Good morning, Ichigo," she mumbled, and my eyes widened in shock. That wasn't a normal greeting from the usually bubbly girl. I'd found through many conversations with Momo that her serious attitude only extended as far as the battlefield and school work. Any other time, she was excitable and happy, eager to start conversations about any intellectual topic, not sullen and mopey looking as she was now.

"A-are you upset about th-the Sports Festival?" I asked slowly, fearing her response. Would she be angry with me, because I had done well.

Momo steepled her hands together on her desk. "... Yes," she agreed finally. I shrunk, crushed by the thought one of my friends was upset with me for winning. Momo quickly realized, because her eyes widened. "Not at you!" She reassured me. "It's just… I lost so quickly. Tokoyami beat me so easily…" she clenched her jaw, and to my horror I saw her eyes tearing up. "I was so weak. He didn't even have to try."

I leaned forwards, grabbing her hands in a similar manner Ochako used when comforting me or Izuku. "T-Tokoyami has more c-combat e-experience than you. If I c-can make a s-suggestion?" Momo glanced up at me. "H-have you d-done any conditioning or d-drilling?"

"I've done some conditioning," Momo answered, voice becoming more stable. "I have also had training in hand-to-hand combat, but…" her shoulders slumped again. "It wasn't any use."

I grinned, having an idea. "H-have you ever l-learned how to sh-shoot a gun?" Momo's head popped up, looking surprised at my suggestions.

"I have not," she informed me.

"Th-then I suggest you g-get t-training on h-how to f-fire a handgun," I said. "And th-then d-drill creating it s-so many times you c-can m-make it in your s-sleep," I shrugged, letting go of her hands and leaning back in my chair. "That's w-what Mister Aizawa did f-for me, anyways. Oh! And if y-you can, learn h-how to wield a staff. Th-that's a versatile weapon, it's g-good f-for offense and defense," I nodded, confident with my suggestion. "Plus, it sh-should be easy to make."

Momo nodded, smiling sheepishly. "I suppose I should spend more time thinking of solutions, rather than complaining about my circumstances," she commented wryly, straightening her back. "Thank you, Ichigo. I will definitely speak with parents about what you've suggested. I'm sure I can have a personal trainer hired."

I decided not to comment on how much money she must have, to mention hiring a personal trainer so casually. Instead, I gave her a thumbs up. "Great!"

At that moment, the door slammed open. I glanced over my shoulder to see Tenya and Izuku entering the room. Hurrying to my feet, I rushed over to Tenya's desk. "T-Tenya, I wanted t-to ask you about y-yesterday-!" I started.

"My brother was in the hospital," Tenya cut me off dismissively. "He is doing well, so there is nothing to be concerned about," I went quiet, staring up at Tenya with wide eyes. "You should go sit down, Ichigo. Mister Aizawa will be here soon," Tenya said, taking his seat.

I looked at him for a long moment. "O-okay," I agreed, going back to my desk. Once I sat down, I frowned at my hands. Tenya was never intentionally impolite, and he had never cut me off before.

I promised myself that after school today, I would run by the library and research Ingenium's hospitalization. I knew something wasn't right.