Izuku took a deep, deep breath as he walked toward the entrance of the Musutafu Aquarium. A part of his brain – the part that was somehow more detached – reminded him this was one of the biggest Aquariums in Japan, second only to Gang Orca's Okuto-jima Aquarium. It included a large shark area, a Pro Heroes of the Sea expo, and even a dolphinarium.

The rest of his brain was far too busy freaking out over the fact that, the moment she had stepped out of the train, Himiko had grabbed him by the arm, intertwining his with hers. He shouldn't have, because it wasn't the first time they did, but the fact she had initiated it somehow made it feel different, more intimate.

Or maybe he was freaking out over nothing.

Was he?

"Are you ok Izuku?" Himiko asked, "You feel a bit stiffer than usual."

Izuku resisted the urge to glance down to make sure she didn't mean something else, before he coughed. "Ah, n-no, I'm fine Himiko, really."

"Good." She looked a bit unsure about how to continue, "So… Provisional License, uh?" She finally asked.

"Y-yeah, it was quite a shock." Izuku shook his head, "I still can't believe they would give one to a Hero-in-training with this little experience."

"Well, that same Hero in training has been saving people over and over."

Izuku sighed, "It's nice of you to say, but I really didn't do that much. At the USJ I was useless…"

"Except for when you saved the others and saved Professor Aizawa…"

"-And then is not like I did anything really important until that night. Even then, I only defeated a few rioters and happened to save the right people at the right time. I didn't even manage to capture those Villains that were robbing the bank."

"- And you went on to win the Sports Festival, before being the only one that took out Handjob's group."

They looked at each other, and then chuckled. "I just… I just don't know if I deserve this. Handjob is my future b-b-b-brother-in-law." He turned bright red and looked away, just as Himiko did the same, "I-I mean, if we do go ahead with this marriage… But anyway," He changed tone, trying to move the subject away as he felt the heat creep on his face, "I only survived at the USJ because Tomura's people couldn't kill me. It's not like we were ever in danger to begin with."

Himiko hummed, "But still, you took some big risks. Would you have given up if those Villains around the ship didn't care?"

"Of course not!" Izuku shook his head vehemently, "I would have figured out a way to save everyone."

"See? You were not relying on your Yakuza title. You were just choosing the diplomatic option first." She smiled, "I like the idea of a Hero that doesn't resorts immediately to attacking the Villain."

"I'm not sure if 'scaring them into submission' is considered diplomacy…"

"Why not? All Might does it too, from time to time. When he shows up, most thugs just drop their weapon, don't they?"

Izuku nodded, "I guess, but that's-"

Himiko stopped him, putting a finger over his lips, "Izuku, please, take the win. I, for one, think you deserve it. You are definitely my favorite Hero." Izuku turned bright red, and Himiko did a second later, when she realized what she had just done. She pulled her hand back and turned away, "I-I mean, it's not a good look if the best student in the class isn't confident in his successes, right?"

Izuku nodded quickly, feeling the heat still keeping a strong hold of his face. He coughed, and pulled out a face mask. When Himiko raised an eyebrow, he started putting it on. "I… Asked All Might what I should do about my popularity. He suggested putting on a face mask. It should keep people from realizing who I am."

"Right…" Himiko nodded, "Guess you have gotten really popular, uh?"

"It wasn't really what I expected. My parents keep getting invitations to talk shows, both for me and for them. And I keep getting fan letters in the mail…" Izuku froze as Himiko looked at him.

"And love letters?" She asked.

"That has mostly stopped." Izuku replied, "I think between Kenranzaki's public scene and the confirmation that I have a girlfriend…" He froze again. He wasn't sure it was a good thing, "I-I mean, I had to tell them that, right?"

"Right, right, of course." Himiko nodded, "Uhm, so you aren't getting any more?"

"Sometimes in the mail, but at school it mostly stopped after Jiro and Pony helped me deal with the bulk of them."

"How did you do that?"

"Well…"

-x-

"I'm really sorry, senpai Fuwa." Izuku bowed his head at his upperclassman. The white-haired girl sighed, but she had a resigned smile on her face.

"I get it Midoriya. I had heard you already had someone, but I guess I had some hope you meant me. Pretty dumb right, when we never even talked…"

Izuku bowed his head again, "I'm really s-"

"Don't be, someone just beat me to it. Maybe she deserves it more, since she caught you before you ever became famous. You probably think I'm a bit shallow."

"N-No! I think you were really brave. I could never manage to do this…"

The girl smiled again, and they said goodbye. Izuku sighed.

Then Kyoka and Pony burst out of the bushes. "Good job, but stay on track, boss. You have five minutes and then you have to be behind Gym Theta for…" She checked the list she had compiled, "Chikuchi Togeike."

"Do I really have to answer in person to everyone?"

"They poured their emotions in the letters, and were brave enough to organize a meeting at school, it's only right you respond to all of them, even if it's to let them down." Jiro pointed out, and he instantly felt like an asshole for thinking otherwise.

"I guess you are right…" He sighed, "I just hope she doesn't start crying, that makes me feel really bad."

-x-

"Did she cry?" Himiko asked.

"Togeike didn't, but the girl after her did, and I got the prime experience of feeling like a bastard."

"Would you have said yes, if it wasn't for…" She made a vague gesture between them, and Izuku frowned.

"I don't know." He replied, just as they arrived at the gate, "It's hard to know what I would do if I wasn't in- engaged." He corrected himself. Oh god he had almost slipped. A glance at Himiko told him she hadn't noticed, apparently, but he also wasn't sure of the answer. "All I can say is that… I would like to have a girlfriend I have known for long enough, you know? Those girls were nice, I'm sure, but without knowing them, agreeing to date is a bit weird." He sighed, "But I don't know what I could even say to them. 'Oh, I'm a Yakuza heir by the way. Sorry.'" Himiko nodded, and Izuku took a deep breath and scratched the back of his head. "Either way, we should focus on the date, right?"

Himiko nodded. "Sure."

And with that, they walked in the Aquarium.

-x-

Himiko was watching a fish. She wasn't sure what kind of fish it was or what it did, beyond swimming around and sometimes hiding behind a rock, but the main advantage of this fish was that while watching it, she didn't have to look at Izuku.

'What do I do…' She pondered her options, trying to figure out what she was even aiming at.

Her decision to invite Izuku had been the result of trying to…

To do what? What did she want to do? Did she want to just keep Izuku away from other girls? Well, mission accomplished, even if it wasn't because of anything she did. He was just a good guy. Or very committed to the fake relationship.

So, did she want that relationship to be real? Well yes, that was the case, but did she want to make it real today? Was she supposed to turn around and say 'Izuku, I like sucking blood, it's kinda my thing, you look delicious, can I be your girlfriend?'

No, of course it couldn't go like that! She needed to set it up properly, right? She needed Izuku to first be aware about the risk, right? Even her dad had said that she needed permission before stabbing him back when she had first asked. She wasn't planning to stab him anymore, but still… 'I mean, maybe he is into it… No, bad Himiko, don't think about stabbing.' She opened her thermos and took a drunk some of the blood, to calm down. 'But even then…'

"I think Izuku likes you."

Masutaro's words echoed in Himiko's brain, and she felt her cheek flush. If he was right… I mean, he had to be right, he was Izuku's best friend! But he had said he wasn't one hundred percent sure. But then again, one hundred percent sure wasn't exactly…

Himiko shook her head. Nothing was sure in romance. She knew she had feeling for Izuku, so she had to do something, right? What if someone snatched him first? He had said that he couldn't get with a girl that didn't know about the Clan, but that included a lot of people! Melissa, and Pony, and Jiro, and Tsuyu, and all the bodyguard girls Jiro had revealed were around, and also Hana and Yuyu!

… Why did Izuku have so many girls gravitating around him, thinking about it?

I mean, kinda hot, if she also got to get in, but… No, bad Himiko, focus! Keep that for after the marriage! Oh god she was thinking about marriage seriously?! They were engaged, sure, but that was…

"Are you ok Himiko?" Izuku's voice asked from behind.

"AAaaaaaa-I'm fine." Himiko shouted before calming down, "Totally fine. Sorry. I got distracted watching a…" Her eyes went wide reading the name, "Kissing Gourami…"

"Oh, that's a… nice fish?" Izuku tried. She really appreciated that.

"Uhm… Izuku, can I ask you something?" Himiko asked.

"Yeah, sure. What is it?"

'Tell him about your blood issues.' Part of her brain shouted.

'Tell him you like him.' A second part of her brain argued.

Himiko stared at him. Those stupidly brilliant green eyes that looked at her like she was the most amazing thing on Earth, like some sort of nice happy dog. The green mane that was never well kept but never ended up covering his face or eyes, making it look like it was done on purpose. Those damn freckles that injected personality in a plain yet attractive face.

Oh, and the fact he was ripped. Like, sure, it wasn't unique in a Hero school – heck, even Masutaro was jacked after all the Training they had done – but Izuku was neither defined to the point it didn't fit his face nor too slim to the point he looked weaker than his peers.

Neither too jacked nor too slim. Call her Goldilocks cause Izuku was juuuust right.

"Himiko?"

"I wanted to…" She breathed in, "Uhm, I wanted to ask…" She looked around, trying to figure out what she could say. "I wanted to know…" 'No no no too soon no no.' She stared at the wall, her eyes flying up and down the list of locations in the Aquarium from a map hanging on the wall, "I wanted to ask…" 'Deflect deflect deflect!' "Penguins!" She half-shouted, half whispered.

"What?"

"Do you… like penguins?" She asked.

"I… Guess?" He raised an eyebrow, then smiled, "Uhm, do you want to go check out the penguins? I know they also have a seabirds birdhouse. I remember you liked birds, so…"

"You… remember?"

"Of course." Izuku nodded, "Is that… wrong?"

Himiko took a deep breath to calm herself. "Nope." She said with a smile, "You are just right."

"Uh?"

"Nevermind that, let's go. I want to see the birds." Himiko replied.

-x-

Izuku watched the birds. There were a whole lot of them actually, pelicans, cormorants, seagulls, terns and a lot of other seabirds. They were apparently animals that either couldn't survive in the wild or were being rescued back to full health, either walking around the artificial lake or swimming in it.

They were also helping a lot with distracting him from his own thoughts, because what was he supposed to do?!

He could tell there was something on Himiko's mind, they had been friends long enough for him to tell. She was really easy to read at this point, at least when it came to being not her usual self. Himiko was clearly worried, and Izuku had no idea why.

Did something happen to her family? Well, aside from Tomura likely being really angry about the whole situation. Good thing, but less good if Himiko was having trouble because of it. Then again, what was Izuku supposed to do? Just ignore what the League was doing?

He couldn't, and that lead neatly into his other problem.

All for One, Himiko's dad, and his apparent archnemesis. Or at least, All Might and One for All's archnemesis. The greatest evil in Japan's history, with a Quirk that sounded even more broken than he had initially thought, and… and he was supposed to take him on.

'No, wait, if he is calling Himiko his heir, does that mean he plans to pass All for One to her once he dies?' Izuku pondered. It wasn't that farfetched, really. She was amazing, after all, and once she got a Quirk like that she would be even more. He tried to imagine Himiko, dressed like her father in a mostly black suit, All for One – the Quirk – in her hand, leading the organization from her throne.

That was rather hot- scary, it was scary.

He sighed. And he liked Himiko. He really did. What did that mean? He wanted to date her, he knew that. There was a reason it had been so easy to say not to all those girls, and it wasn't just the fact he was engaged in a marriage of convenience. Izuku genuinely liked Himiko. It was why he worried about her now, and why… why he didn't know what to do.

'Maybe get rid of her father?' A question popped up in his head.

Uh, weird, had he really thought that? It seemed a bit out of character.

-x-

"Yoichi!" Nana shouted.

"Hey, if he got the message, it means I wasn't the only one thinking about it." Yoichi defended. Nana glared at the others.

"It's the easy solution…" Banjo pointed out.

"Oh yeah, she would definitely date her dad's murderer!" Nana shouted, before sighing, "Poor kid, wish I could give him some advice…" She added.

"Wow, you adapted to the grandma role fast." The Second grumbled.

"She has been doting on Izuku from day one." En pointed out, "It's not that weird- I will shut up." He quickly added when she glared at him.

-x-

No, he couldn't do that… But he had to, right? All for One was the Villain that had almost killed All Might. The reason why All Might was in the state he was. 'The reason why I have One for All in the first place, maybe.' Izuku realized. If All Might wasn't wounded, he wouldn't have looked for a successor. If he hadn't been looking for a successor, Izuku wouldn't have been the next wielder of One for All. And then…

Then what would have happened? That same day he also found out about the Yakuza. Would he have been on a different path by now? A far worse one, maybe?

'Or an easier one, because then I could date Himiko without worrying…'

He shook his head. No reason to dwell on that. But the problem remained. He wanted to be a Hero. He wanted to save people, fight Villains, capture them. And now he found out his future- his supposed-to-be father-in-law was his greatest nemesis, and the greatest of all those Villains he wanted to fight.

And the best part, or the worst part, was that this didn't change what he felt about Himiko. It didn't change one beat his heart racing when he looked at her eyes, his blood pumping when he heard her voice or saw her smile. It didn't change the fact he liked Himiko, and he didn't know what he was supposed to do!

… Was it selfish to say Izuku wanted both? That he wanted to be a Hero and he wanted to date Himiko even if she was going to be a Villain?

He didn't know. He didn't know if Himiko was even interested in him. Did she see him as just a friends she was engaged to out of obligation? Did she… Did she hate the idea?

"Izuku?" Himiko asked, and he almost screamed before turning around.

"Y-Yes?!" He asked.

"Uhm, apparently there is a restaurant next to the penguin exhibit. Do you… want to go that way and check it out?"

"Yeah, sure." Izuku nodded, "Did you like this one though?"

"Oh, yeah, the birds are really cute." Himiko smiled. It wasn't strained, Izuku thought relieved, feeling his heartbeat grow a little faster seeing her expression, "Let's go, I want to see the penguins now."

Izuku nodded.

-x-

Himiko and Izuku sat down, ordered their lunch, and started to talk.

It wasn't really about anything important, thankfully. Himiko needed a break from her thoughts, and discussing school, family and friends was a safer topic.

"I think Uraraka and Todoroki might be having something boiling." She commented while they ate their Penguinburgers. She found the name a bit creepy, considering she was eating them right next to the penguin environment, but they weren't made out of penguin, just branded.

… Hopefully.

"Really?" Izuku asked, "I didn't notice."

"It's nothing overt, just… They have been spending time together, you know? They basically didn't know each other before, and then the Festival and the Internship happens, and suddenly they are all chummy chummy." She took a bite off the burger, "I think it's suspicious."

Izuku chuckled, "I'm not really… an expert." He admitted, "But good for them, I suppose. I should try to ask Todoroki to train, at one point. I said to his sister I would, but this week has been busy. I'm trying to move ahead with the material, so I won't be behind the moment I go on the Internship."

"Damn. I'm sorry for dragging you out here then. I guess you needed the day."

"No!" Izuku shook his hand, "It's not what I meant! I'm happy to be here with you!" He coughed, "I mean, I needed the free time, right? Can't study all day!"

"I'm glad." She tilted her head slightly, "Are you… Ok? I mean, we talked about it a bit earlier, but it can't be easy to go from unknown to 'The Hero Valiant'."

"Don't say it out loud." He begged, "If someone notices me, we will be swarmed."

"Wops." She covered he mouth, and took a deep breath. She had to talk about it, and now was a good time as any. "Izuku, there is… something I want to talk about."

"Yes?"

"I… You like Quirks, right?" Izuku nodded. Himiko took a deep breath, "I… Have a friend. This friend has a Quirk… very, very similar to mine. We need to drink blood, right?"

"Oh. I see." Izuku nodded. She couldn't help the smile on her face.

'Dammit Izuku, do you have to trust me so much?' She wondered, before continuing. "Uhm, and well, she has a problem. She… Well, when I say she needs to drink blood, it's like… I don't know how to describe it, because… I know what it feels like – to an extent, we aren't the same person, but still – and it's hard to explain…"

She felt something touch her hand, and looking up, she saw Izuku had put his over hers. "Hey, it's alright. I… I looked into that kind of Quirk a bit, and I know… I know it couldn't be easy to have one. For you or for your friend."

Himiko nodded, feeling her chest almost burst as her heart keep beating. "So, yeah, she feels the need… to drink blood. And she has fallen in love with a guy."

"Oh." Izuku nodded, "I see, but then why…"

"She feels the stronger need to drink blood from… from the people she likes." Himiko explained, "And she is worried. She is worried because… because if she keeps falling in love with him…"

"Ah. Ah." Izuku nodded, "That sounds dangerous…"

Himiko felt a pit form in her stomach. 'Please don't say that. Please. Don't say it's wrong. Don't say it's absurd. Don't say it's impossible…'

"But it shouldn't be impossible to work with, right?" Izuku continued, "I mean, sure, she has this need for blood right? And, well, I don't know if it's psychological or biological, I guess I'd have to ask your friend – or more likely, she should consult a psychologist or a proper Quirk analyst – but whatever the case, I'm sure that she can have a relationship."

"I… But, but she is worried see. The last time she fell in love with someone, she did… Something really bad." A straw on her lips, blood pouring in her mouth, the mask falling and a smile from hear to hear, "And she is worried it will happen again."

"… So she hurt someone she fell in love with, and then she sought help."

"I guess, in a matter of speaking. She is from… Dad's work." His expression darkened slightly, "And so she couldn't get… perfect help. She got some form of help, recently. She got to drink blood from other sources, and she has been calming down a lot, but… she feels the needs growing stronger, and with her love for that person so strong…"

"She is afraid of hurting them, but doesn't want to lose them." Izuku summarized.

"Yes."

-x-

'Yeah, I know what that's like.' Izuku thought. He was, in a way, in the same situation. He didn't want to hurt Himiko, the person he l-loved, but he also couldn't ignore All for One. Not now that he knew who he was. And that… was bound to hurt her, right?

"I… Well, I…" He shook his head. This wasn't about himself though. It wasn't the same thing. It was a friend of Himiko, someone that needed help. He had to be the Hero here. "I think she should be honest about it. She should tell about her needs to the other person."

"And what if they are disgusted?" Himiko asked. "What if… What if they see it as abnormal, as monstrous? People don't like Quirk like mine… or hers, mine or hers. And… And if he doesn't like her for it… Or if he is scared of her…"

"Then he wasn't the right person." Izuku answered honestly. "I… You know why I love Quirks, right? Until Superpower came about… Well, I was Quirkless. I admired all Quirks. When I met you, you told me you were afraid I would judge you based on your Quirk, right?"

Himiko nodded.

"Well, I wouldn't. Quirks don't decide the future of a person. Sure, they influence our lives – like they did for your friend, or for you – but they don't decide who that person is. I'm not friend with your Quirk. I'm friend with you." He said, "And if your friend loves someone, and that someone can't love her back because of her Quirk… Then he needs to see the person, not the Quirk. If he can't, he doesn't really deserve it."

"Not… everyone thinks that. A lot of people want normal. Normal friends, children or lovers, with normal Quirks that do normal things…"

Izuku shook his head, "I've read stuff like that. After I found out about your Quirks, I decided to look into situations like yours. I've seen people say that people that have dangerous Quirks should be kept away. You know what I think?"

"What?" She asked, and Izuku noticed how shaken she seemed. He reflexively closed his hand on hers a bit tighter, without even thinking about it.

"I think they are wrong. I think… I think we should help people like that. They are normal. They might have special needs, special feelings, special powers, but we live in a world of Quirks. Everything is special. Everything is potentially dangerous." He smiled, "I think your friend can do it. I think if the boy they like is a good person, he will understand."

He watched her, the stunned expression, and the eyes slowly filling with… "Sorry…"

"Are you crying?! Oh my gosh Himiko, did I say something wrong?! I'm sorry, it's just…"

She shook her head, "Sorry, sorry, sorry, it's just… You have no idea… I- My friend will be so relieved… So relieved…"

For a good five minutes they stayed there, Himiko crying in the napkin, Izuku trying to comfort her. It was only when she calmed down a bit that he realized he had been holding her hand the entire time. He felt a blush on his cheek, but couldn't just let go, it would be weird, so he just held her awkwardly. 'Her hand is so… soft and smooth.' He thought, wondering if her palm was also like that. They hadn't held hands before, and he wondered if she had callouses for the knives training or if she had soft, smooth palms.

"Do you… Do you want to walk?" He asked, "Maybe it will help you."

"Th-Thank you. I'd… I'd love that." Himiko replied.

Izuku smiled, and stood up. He offered his arm, and Himiko took it. Maybe it was his imagination, but she held him a lot closer.

-x-

Himiko and Izuku left the aquarium hours later, Himiko having calmed down. After lunch, they had visited the rest of the facility. Watched the dolphins' exhibition, every other aquarium, gone back to the birds… It had been… fun.

And she could feel her heartbeat growing faster as the day ended. As they left the Aquarium, as they walked to the train, she knew what she wanted to ask. What she had to ask.

She watched Izuku, smiling after the long day. He looked a bit tired, but didn't look unsatisfied. That was… good. "Did you like the day?" She asked.

"Yes. It was fun." Izuku smiled, "I like spending time with you." He added.

Her cheeks flared up a bit, "I… I do too. It's nice to spend time together, right?"

"Yep." He chuckled, "To think a year ago, you came out of my wardrobe…"

Himiko snorted, "Does Kurogiri still show up in it?"

"Sometimes." He shook his head, "Though we are about to move."

"I'll tell him to check out the new one, alright? I don't want to lose my door to your r- your house." She corrected herself quickly.

"Couldn't you just show him the door?"

"But where is the fun in that." She said, laughing as he shook his head. She smiled, "Thank you… For earlier."

"For what?"

"The talk. At lunch."

"Ah. Well, I don't know how useful that was. I doubt I said anything that's worthwhile…"

'You have no idea.' She thought, and the idea sounded so absurd. To her, that single talk had been so important. It had washed away so many of her doubts. Izuku wasn't a hypocrite, and wasn't lying. She knew he was genuine, and to her… To her that mattered so much. To hear him say he could accept her… That was too important for her to fathom.

'I think he likes you too.' Masutaro's voice rang in her head again.

She looked at the station approaching, and she knew there wasn't much longer to take a decision.

She had to ask now.

"Izuku." She said, "There is… something I wanted to ask."

Izuku stiffened a bit, but he stopped and looked at her. "Sure. What is it?"

"So, about that talk, I wanted to ask…"

She felt her heart beat. The air seemed frozen, and her tongue felt heavy.

"I wanted to say…"

'Monster.'

'Vampire.'

'Dangerous.'

'Can't you just be normal?'

Himiko took a deep breath, pushing her fears back. She trusted Izuku. She trusted him with this. That moment, then and there, told him this was more than any of her other 'love interests'. It was more than Saito, more than any of her other 'loves'. This was someone she truly, deeply trusted.

She trusted him enough to ask.

"I wanted to tell you…"

"Himiko?"

"I wanted to tell you that there is… no friend. The 'friend' is me, and the boy…" She took a deep breath, "The boy is you."

Time stopped. Izuku's green eyes widened.

"Would you like… To date me for real?"

Her eyes met his. Time froze. Her heartbeat grew distant in that single moment before he answered.

And Izuku answered.

(XX)

See, I'm not a monster, I won't leave you two weeks with the worst cliffhanger I can think of.
Now, one week on the other hand...

... See, I did say on SB my readers would hate me by the end of the Aquarium date, I just never said it was because of something in-story. Story structure is a bitch, isn't it?

But man, all jokes on me being such an asshole aside... 50 chapters uh? This is a pretty big mark for the story. I'm really glad I got to hit this chapter with this moment. This is such a big moment. Yes, of course it's Himiko that takes the first step. She is the one that confesses, after all. Izuku isn't quite fitting that kind of role.

See you next week, when we will start a 50 chapters spin-off on AfO's vacation before we come back to this.
... No I'm joking. I couldn't do that to you and I couldn't do that to myself. Bye!