Saturday morning, I woke up with a bright grin and eager attitude. My classmates were heading to the mall in the afternoon, and unfortunately, I couldn't buy anything at the mall, even if I'd had the free time. As compensation, Ochako offered to email me a picture of Tenya and Izuku wearing some of those knitted caps with ears, so I wasn't too upset.
Swallowing down my last bit of coffee, I walked over to the bathroom sink to rinse out the cup. I heard the bell tinkle as Missus Yukihime entered the shop behind me, and with a small smile I poked my head out of the bathroom. "Morning, Missus Yukihime!" I chirped, seeing the older woman checking over the petunia display.
Missus Yukihime glanced back at me, and bobbed her head in acknowledgement. "Good morning, Ichigo," she said, and I spun out of the bathroom, laying the cleaned cup next to my precious coffee maker.
"So, what do I have to do today?" I asked, grabbing my sleeping bag and rolling up as I waited for a response.
Missus Yukihime hummed lightly in response. "It should be relatively simple. Just a quick sweep at the front, and wipe down the counters and windows before we open," she decided. "You've kept everything clean so far, there's not much to do!" Missus Yukihime chuckled, and I grinned proudly, tucking my sleeping bag next to my backpack.
"I'm glad! Than I'll get to it immediately," I said, walking over to the supply closet. The list was relatively short, so I could finish it quickly and head over to the library to start working on Shinsou's training routine. Before I could exit the back, Missus Yukihime let out a small gasp. I whirled around, wondering what I'd missed, only to see her staring at the wall calendar in surprise. "... What's wrong?" I inquired cautiously, confused by her behavior.
Missus Yukihime turned around, and then smiled softly. "Sorry, I didn't realize the date," she explained. I stared at her blankly, wondering how the date warranted a gasp of surprise. Missus Yukihime laughed at my clearly baffled expression, turning back to the calendar and tapping one of the many squares. "When you informed me you were going to leave for summer camp over the summer, I scheduled a vacation to Europe. My daughter lives in Britain, I wanted to take the opportunity to visit her," she said, and my eyes rounded in shock.
"Y-you're going to Europe?!" I choked out, surprised (and slightly jealous). "That sounds awesome!"
Missus Yukihime chuckled lightly. "I didn't want to leave you alone at the shop, so this way we'll both be absent at the same times," she said, before smiling at me with a mischievous sparkle in her eyes. "I'll be sure to bring you back some food as a souvenir," she offered teasingly.
"No, that won't be allowed on the plane," I said seriously. "But could you see about getting me some recipes?" A moment after I spoke, I blushed, realizing how much I'd just accidentally assumed. "A-ah, I mean, if you don't mind, you don't have to get me anything, I j-just wanted to try cooking some food from another country," I excused frantically, bowing apologetically. "I c-could use the internet, so it's not a problem, I really shouldn't have asked!"
Missus Yukihime stared at me for a moment, and then sighed. "You had been doing so well," she remarked mournfully, before stepping forward and patting me on the head placatingly. "I don't mind getting you some recipes at all, my daughter would probably be overjoyed that someone's even asking. She's always had a fascination with baking," she said.
My face heated up further from my own overreaction. "R-right, sorry," I mumbled, straightening up and hiding my face.
"Don't stutter, Ichigo," Missus Yukihime scolded, stepping past me towards her office. "Now, I assume you have places to be?" she asked expectantly.
I smiled and nodded, cheeks still red hot. "Yep!" I confirmed, scrambling to pick up the cleaning supplies I needed and rushing out to the front.
Thirty minutes later, and I was taking the bus towards the library. When the large glass-and-concrete building finally came into view, I couldn't help but smile. As soon as the bus stopped, I was racing out the doors and up the steps towards the doors. Darting inside, I spotted the computers and "walked" myself over. Falling into a less than comfy wooden chair, I shook the mouse as the computer display switched on, immediately clicking on Microsoft Excel.
Staring at the map of blank white boxes, I reviewed the data I'd collected from Shinsou. His speed and reflexes were impressive, but his strength, stamina, and flexibility needed work. He'd have to focus most of his training on those weaker aspects if I wanted him up to par by the end of the summer.
Remembering the activity ratio of the schedule Mister Aizawa had kept me on, I typed out a few numbers, mind already occupied with crunching numbers and considering the possible results. Shinsou would have to dedicate a lot of time to this plan, if he wanted to improve, which meant that whatever regimen I made was guaranteed to be hellish. If I wasn't careful, I could drive Shinsou to the ground.
With a heavy sigh, I climbed to my feet and started towards the ceiling high shelves of books, resigned to spending the rest of the day researching health and fitness training.
Flipping through the pages of the third sports medicine book I'd analyzed in the past hour, I tried to keep my eyes from glazing over. As much as I loved learning, some topics just didn't interest me. As it turned out, the science of balancing activity and rest in training regimens just wasn't my thing.
With a defeated sigh, I closed the book on the computer table, handing my head forwards. My brain was swimming with useless statistics and facts that I probably wouldn't ever forget. My valuable memory space was being eaten up by facts on the benefits of eating oranges after an intensive workout (hint: I didn't care).
Suddenly, the computer let out a ding. I flinched in surprise, catching a dirty look from the librarian moments before I reached out and turned the volume down. I hadn't realized that it was on in the first place. When the librarian finally looked away from me, I turned back to my email, searching for the new message. My blood froze at the sight of a message from Ochako titled "EMERGENCY!"
From: Uraraka ochako_uraraka .com [July 20, 16:32]
To: Kurosaki
Ichgio u need to get oer here quicjk izuku got atacked by a vilain the mall and the plioce are here plz we need u thss is bad!
| Re: From: Kurosaki ichigo_kurosaki .com [July 18, 16:33]
To: Uraraka
I'll be there immediately!
My fingers flew across the keyboard as I scrambled to type a response, and seconds after I hit the "send" button I was logging out and shutting down the computer. I didn't bother to put away my stack of books, running out the library door in a blur of pink. I'd heard the discussions in class while everyone was planning the mall visit, so I knew exactly where to go. It was only a few blocks away, and in my slightly panicked state it didn't occur to me that if the police had already arrived at the mall - a highly public and civilian populated area - the situation was probably already over and Ochako was freaking out in the aftermath. Instead, I shot down the sidewalks on foot, scuffing up my sneakers and booking it towards the mall.
When the shopping center came into view, my eyes immediately picked up on the five police cars parked out front. Skidding to a stop in front of the building, I paused as one of the officers stepped forward to block me from entering.
"This place is closed off due to an emergency situation," the officer informed me, as his other partner moved to block the doors from the other side. "You need to leave the area immediately," the officer ordered.
I clenched my jaw, wondering what I needed to say to get access to the building. I couldn't lie about familial relations without getting in serious trouble. While I could tell the truth about my friendship with one of the students inside, that wouldn't be severe enough to warrant an immediate response. I couldn't contact Ochako again either and ask for her to help me inside, since I didn't have a phone or computer at hand.
"Kurosaki-chan?" A tearful voice sounded from behind me. I spun around, still on edge from Ochako's sudden email. I wasn't extremely surprised to see Miss Midoriya, with glassy eyes and a runny nose, scurrying towards me.
I smiled reassuringly, despite having zero information. "Miss Midoriya? It's good to see you," I said politely, walking towards the older woman. "Have you been able to find out about Izuku?"
"N-no!" Miss Midoriya sobbed, wiping her nose with a tissue. "I d-don't know w-where my son is and n-no one is willing to t-tell me anything!" I blinked in shock, wondering what they were handling that was so important they couldn't give information about a minor's condition to their guardian. Then, I realized that standing there while Miss Midoriya cried was probably very insensitive, so I awkwardly stepped forward and pat Miss Midoriya on the shoulder.
"I'm sure he'll be fine," I said, mind returning to the comforting world of statistics and facts. "If the media hasn't been alerted yet, Izuku likely survived his encounter. Less than 10% of hostage situations involving minors result in casualties if the heroes are alerted within thirty minutes, and if the police are handling the situation, that means the heroes weren't even necessary. I highly doubt Izuku is injured," I informed the crying mother, not realizing that most people didn't want to hear a bunch of numbers for "comfort".
Miss Midoriya sobbed harder. I jerked my hand back from her shoulder, startled. Staring at Miss Midoriya with wide eyes, I realized that while I could handle kids, crying parents were not my specialty.
I'd need to talk to Mister Aizawa about this.
"Ichigo? Miss Midoriya?" A familiar voice cut in. I turned towards the mall doors to see Ochako being escorted out by a police officer. Her eyes were wide and she was clearly covered in sweat, but compared to whatever state she'd been in when she'd emailed me, Ochako had clearly improved. That meant good things for Izuku.
I hurried over to Ochako's side, desperate for assistance comforting Miss Midoriya. "Hey, everything good?" I asked, stopping in front of her.
Ochako looked down at me. I noted that her eyes were red and puffy, like she had been crying but had recently stopped. Her nose was read as well. "Yeah," Ochako confirmed. "Izukun is just fine… he's talking to a detective right now, but he should be released soon."
I let out the breath I hadn't realized I was holding. "Thank goodness," I sighed, stepping forward and reaching up to hug Ochako around the shoulders. I ended up having to stand on my tip-toes. "I'm glad you're okay," I said, voice muffled by Ochako's shirt.
Ochako laughed, and although it sounded a little forced, she hugged me back regardless. "Me too," she agreed, and I felt her face press against the top of my head. "Thanks for coming so quickly too. I wasn't sure when you'd get my email."
I let go of Ochako's shoulders, stepping back. "You caught me while I was at the library, actually. I saw your emails seconds after you sent it," I said, smiling at Ochako, who managed a small smile back. I then turned to gesture to Miss Midoriya. "Uh, Ocha-chan, Miss Midoriya is here too… the police haven't been able to tell her anything about Izukun, so if you could… y'know…"
Ochako looked to Miss Midoriya wearily, while the older woman wiped her face clean. "Miss Midoriya, your son is perfectly fine. Scared, but fine," she informed the mother firmly. "He's talking to a detective right now about the incident, but you should be able to take him home tonight. The paramedics have already cleared him."
Miss Midoriya practically radiated relief. "Oh, th-that's good. Thank goodness…" she murmured, before sniffling. I flinched, really unsure about how to comfort this crying mostly-stranger.
Fortunately, Ochako wasn't so unconfident. The brunette moved forward slowly, standing by Miss Midoriya's side and wrapping an arm around her shoulders. "It will be fine, Miss Midoriya," she said comfortingly, just as the older woman broke into another wave of tears.
I watched them both in silence. Ochako really was good at reassuring and connecting with people, which spoke well for her future as a rescue-hero. I couldn't even begin to understand her easy charisma. I averted my eyes from Miss Midoriya as she sobbed and Ochako rubbed her back soothingly. It wasn't a secret that Izuku only had his mother, but I hadn't considered that Miss Midoriya only really had her son as well. I wondered what it was like, having your world on the line.
I winced, remembering what I'd felt during the USJ incident, when Mister Aizawa had been attacked by the Noumu. If that was even what half of what Miss Midoriya felt like now… I clenched my fists and my jaw.
This was why I wanted to become a hero. To prevent others from ever feeling like this.
After half an hour, Ochako managed to coax Miss Midoriya into entering a cafe across the street. I followed them, along with two police officers who were meant to guard Ochako and Miss Midoriya, in case the villains returned. No one ate anything, but I quietly sipped tea and listened to Ochako and Miss Midoriya talk as the sky outside slowly darkened. At around 6 pm, one of the officers approached our table.
"Miss Midoriya, Miss Uraraka," he began, back straight and eyes sympathetic. "Izuku Midoriya has just been released from police custody. If you'd like, I can drive you to the station to meet him."
Miss Midoriya nodded, her expression much more confident than before. "I would appreciate it," she said firmly, standing up and dropping several dollar bills on the table. "Uraraka-chan, I will take care of the tab. You and Kurosaki-chan can follow the officer to his car, I'll be there in a few moments." I stared at the utterly transformed woman with wide eyes. Compared to the crying, shaking woman I had first met at the mall, it was a miracle how much her demeanor had changed over the past two hours.
She must really love Izuku, I realized as I stood up from the table, and my lips twisted downwards bitterly. I crushed the spiteful envy I felt welling up in my chest, and followed Ochako and the officer outside. There was a police car parked at the curb, and I sedately trailed after Ochako, sliding into the back of the vehicle.
Ochako leaned over to me once we were both seated. "Y'know, I never thought I'd get to see a cop car from the inside," she said conspiratorial. "We're getting this without being arrested, that's pretty cool!" I blinked at the utter childness of that statement. Then, I started to giggle helplessly. Ochako was far too optimistic, finding the positive even in this situation.
A few minutes later, and Miss Midoriya was sitting beside the officer in the front of the car as we left for the station. I stared out the window in silence for the entire ride. When the car finally slowed to a stop, I was the last one out of the vehicle. It was late enough now that the sun had entirely vanished from the sky, and the streetlights were on.
Climbing out of the police car, I got smacked in the face by a frigid burst of wind. I pulled my scarf up to hide my face, and turned around. Miss Midoriya was already running forward, arms crushing her son to her chest. Despite being taller, Izuku looked suddenly small beside his mother, leaning down to wrap his arms around her just as tightly. Ochako was beside them, smiling with watery eyes and her hands clasped in front of her, like she was restraining herself from interrupting the mother-son moment.
I smiled softly, and walked towards them. It was good to see Izuku was fine. And if I wiped my eyes at any point during the encounter, no one had to know.
Mailbox
Tell me what you guys think of this new mailbox "style". It's easier on me, so I figured why not try it. Hooray for copy-paste!
Wicken25 chapter 42 . 16h ago
Will you be doing the 2nd part of the soul mate omake it was really good it would be interesting if aizawa investigates her background more thought and with endeavour figure out the reason she hates the soul mate processes running her life
Yes, there will be a Part 2 of the soulmate AU. Aizawa will definitely be investigating Ichigo's background, although the Part 2 is mostly Shouto-centric.
Prince chapter 42 . 22h ago
I really liked this chapter when I read it on quotev. Ichigo doing the workout right alongside Hitoshi was the most... hm... empowering/platonically adorable(?) thing ever!
The next few chapters are going to be so painful though. I just wanted to pat Ichigo and tell her everything would be ok :(((
Thank you! Imagining them working out together was so much fun, I wish I was a better artist so I could confidently draw them running together and attach it to the chapters :3 Ichigo definitely needs a hug, she might stiffen up a bit though. Ochako is still conditioning her on accepting hugs/talking to strangers.
xenocanaan chapter 42 . May 20
I can see Aizawa waiting until the last moment to let her know that she is actually coming along. Is it bad that I really want to see how Ichigo and Dabi will interact? Fantastic chapter and I can't wait to read more!
Ichigo expects Aizawa's lies at this point, its hard to surprise her about anything. Ichigo and Dabi will be... very passionate about each other. A "burning" passion, if you will. I don't want to give anything away, so I can't say much more. Thank you, and I hope you enjoyed this chapter as well!
GreenDrkness chapter 42 . May 19
Awww Shinsou would have been so useful at the summer camp and I love how she is training them
Ok so I can see that Momo is making her things so would that mean that she won't be going to the mall?
Keep on the writes
Shinsou really would've been useful, too bad he couldn't come :/ Ichigo training Shinsou is so much fun to imagine, seriously. I wish I could draw well so badly right now. And I think this chapter answered your question, but yes, Ichigo isn't going to the mall. She doesn't have much money, and she doesn't want to attract any suspicion about just how bad her financial situation is, so going to the mall and buying nothing is a bad idea. Thanks, hope you enjoyed the chapter!
AllisBlanche chapter 42 . May 19
Can't wait for the chapters to get longer xD mentor ichigo is so cool. I love that you dont force the romantic interactions and actually build up the relationships between the characters. I've read some manga where the lead falls in love within days and theyre just suddenly in a relationship with the love interest.
Mentor!Ichigo is very fun to write, especially since this is her first time not copying Aizawa at something. So far, emulating her teacher has been her #1 priority, but if she's going to surpass him, Ichigo can't be Aizawa 2.0. That's the significance of her training him the way she is: as an equal. Aizawa didn't train her that way. As for the romantic relationships, - I'm not big into romance, as in at all. My perfect future has me and a big circle of friends, no weddings or kids - I see a long lasting relationship as a pair of best friends, really. Your wife/husband/significant-other really becomes your #1 confidant and companion (in a successful relationship, anyways), and that's why I have such an issue with so many romance stories. They make relationships seem effortless, when they're really not. They're a lot of work, and can sometimes be ugly and hurtful and tiring. Those manga/stories you mention create an unrealistic ideal, and if there's one element I try to keep "realistic" in my writing, it's the people. So Ichigo and her future partner will have a long road ahead before they get together, but I'd like to think it'll be worth it :)