Abandon You? Silly Boy…Your Chance to Run Away from Me Has Long Since Expired.
Izuku was a nervous wreck.
Now, he was grateful he didn't thought that out loud, as no doubt that would've led to either becoming the laughing stock of his classmates 'More so than I usually do', or for Kacchan to snap at him 'More so than he usually does', and at a worst-case scenario, a combination of the two.
In any case, he was getting sidetracked. By nervous wreck, he didn't mean it on the traditional way he was used to…at least not entirely. Rather, what was gnawing at him from the inside out was a bizarre combination of dread and anticipation at what was 'Most possibly' waiting for him once classes were done.
That was to say, his meeting with Enoshima.
It wasn't like he didn't wanted it to happen. Far from it! Leaving aside those confusing feelings, he couldn't help the butterflies in his stomach at the idea of hanging out with someone for the first time in a long…very long while. Although for all good that could be, truthfully speaking, he had no idea what to expect about their incoming encounter.
Following the day when they met for the first time, Izuku dedicated every moment it was possible to check his phone so as to make sure he wouldn't miss that fateful moment in which Enoshima was to contact him. After all, it would disastrous if because he missed a possible call for her, she was to interpret it as him no longer being interested in talking with her.
So, time went by, and with each day that passed with him keeping a zealous watch on his phone whenever possible, his faith that he would get in contact with the strawberry blonde wavered more and more. He truly wanted to keep his optimism strong, but unfortunately, the lack of any answer for so long became a fatal blow to his faith in her, loathe as he was to admit it.
Then yesterday on his way home, just as he was about to give up on that call from ever coming true by the second week of waiting, his phone vibrated. Even so, not wanting to get his hopes up, he checked its notifications with his expectations set as low as possible.
Suffice it to say, they were gratefully subverted.
Heya Zuzu! Been awhile, huh? Sry! I woulda called zner but ngl, Iws 2 busy with sme urgent stuff. Like, OMG! Moving has bn such a pita! Smh, 2se n charge of unpackin' my junk r total mrns! Even 2day they will keep me busy till 2nite…Anyhow, wna hng out tmr once we r done with schl? If so, lmk, yeah? Ttyl! Xoxo!
Receiving a message from her was an exciting…and confusing experience at the same time. Thankfully, he more or less got the gist of its meaning, which allowed him to give a quick reply before she could believe he didn't see her message. Be that as it may, that didn't quit that most of the terms she was using eluded him. At first, Izuku thought that it was merely him being his socially inept self…but color him surprised when following a truthfully far from quick search on the web told him that Enoshima was using pre-quirk era slang!
It was very early to judge and he was admittedly getting way ahead of himself, but part of Izuku wondered if this was mere coincidence or if Enoshima was an enthusiast of such a period of time in the same way he was to heroes and quirks.
Having someone to share your passions with…that would be nice.
Most important of all though…She wanted to meet him again!
The idea that he would encounter who Izuku deep inside thought as a savior of sorts 'Perhaps not literally as if actually saving my life, but certainly ideologically speaking…' made him so excited that it wasn't until past evening that he realized Enoshima never told him a place or hour for their encounter. She told him after school, that was true, but it was never specified if she meant her school of his, with that also being another problem in itself seeing that neither of them told each other's exit periods.
Which is why he decided to message her. Firstly, by confirming that their plans were still on foot, hoping to not come as too straightforward. The problem was though, that no matter how much he waited, she never replied black…and that distressed him to no end.
Like sure, Enoshima told him beforehand 'Or at least I interpreted it like that based on what I found about what all those acronyms meant…' that this business from moving onto her new home was going to keep her busy pretty much all day 'Whoa, so I wasn't that off the mark with her not being from around her, was I?' which was understandable because those things truthfully could take some time. Not like he and his mother have moved before, but it was the logical conclusion to make, right? Although even if that was the case, there was this morning to take into consideration. After all, surely by now Enoshima has already seen his messages, wasn't that so? Some basic reply affirming or denying anything wouldn't take more than five minutes, and even that would be giving a little more leniency than necessary. But if she didn't do as such, then what did that meant? Could…Could it be that she saw them but chose to ignore them? No…No, she, Enoshima wouldn't do that, right? After all, this was the same person who fueled his dream more than anyone had ever done in his entire life! Just thinking of her as capable of that was the same as insulting her name. Instead, it was likely that her battery simply died out somewhere before he sent those texts, sleep all night without noticing because of how tired she was, and wasn't until just about now that her phone was in the progress of charging. Yeah, that sounds about right, that was most likely what Enoshima―
"Midoriya, I don't know who this Enoshima is, but I hope she stops being a derailment from you paying attention in class" Understanding too late that he was saying all of that out loud, Izuku's mumbling came to an abrupt end with the stern voice of the teacher singling him out.
Urging himself to ignore the surrounding snickers from his classmates, Izuku addressed his teacher "A-Ah, y-yes! I... I-It won't h-happen again, I-I promise!"
The man in question gave him a skeptical look, but nonetheless, he nodded, clearly not caring enough to genuinely prod about it "Mhm, all that rambling about her is disturbing my class, so keep it to yourself. Is that understood?"
Not wanting to keep being the center of attention he merely gave a shaking nod.
With that, the educator shrugged and turned back to the whiteboard.
Although before Izuku could sigh in relief that such a brief but stressful exchange was over, the voices of his classmates didn't wasted a second to make their opinions on the matter known.
"Enoshima? Who the fuck is that?"
"Heh, I bet that wimp wants to make us believe he actually has a friend! What a loser!"
"And a girl no less! Hahaha, not even guys want to hang out with him. Who does he think he's fooling with that crap!?"
"I know right? The poor bastard hasn't accepted yet that he will die alone! Hilarious!"
Although the insults and cackles were way louder than what his muttering might had been, the professor wasn't even bothering to look back, content enough to keep writing on the board. Despite that, Izuku couldn't say he was surprised, as far as every staff member and student within this school was concerned, he wasn't worth the trouble of standing up for.
So, while upset and clearly loathing every moment of it, Izuku had some confidence that he could bear with it… or at least that was the case until the last person he wanted to enter the fray.
"Heh, deluding yourself with an imaginary girlfriend, Deku? Geez, I knew you were a lost cause what with being a quirkless trash…but this? This is a new low even for you, nerd!"
Izuku flinched on instinct and inevitably threw a yelp when he heard the gruff voice of his childhood friend joining in the mockery at his person. The first week following the incident with the Sludge Villain, Kacchan was content to leave him in peace, not even bothering to recognize his existence, something for which Izuku was glad…and also somewhat hurt at the same time. Regardless, he wasn't going to look a gift horse in the mouth when such an outcome was making his life slightly easier.
Clearly, though, Kacchan had deemed enough of that grace period.
Having the blessing of the ash-blonde to have a free game in jabbing him as much as they wanted, along with the pathetic display he just showed a moment ago, the rest of the class didn't need to ask twice before more cruel remarks and howling cackles came forward, all of it at his expense.
Izuku, knew he should've expected this, that he should've long since become used to seeing that this wasn't the first, and most likely far from the last time his classmates would act like this…which was precisely why, with the addition of his meeting with Enoshima becoming an uncertainty, somewhere deep inside he couldn't help but wonder…
Was there no hope for him?
If there was one thing he looked forward to within Aldera Junior High, was the very moment in which its classes ended and he could get out of there. After all, in the three years he had spent in this place not even once a good thing had awaited him within its halls.
As such, and with a hurried pace so he wouldn't meet with his once-upon-a-time childhood friend, Izuku made his way to this place's exit. It was such a bizarre way of thinking, he knew, but Izuku could only be grateful that today his classmates were satisfied with only turning him into a laughing stock rather than…other physical means they usually recur to.
Somewhere in between though, just when he was about to cross the gate that separated these tormenting halls and the outside world, his ears perked out at something in the vicinity.
"Holy shit dude, who is that chick?"
"I dunno, but she's smokin' hot!"
With a quirked eyebrow, not only because of that commentary in specific but also because he was hearing dozens of whispers with similar exchanges happening, the green-haired boy shifted his gaze to the commenters he was closer to.
"She's such a game…do you think I have a chance if I were to ask her out?"
"Are ya delusional, dude!? She's way outta yer league! It's obvious she would only go out with absolute winners, like that dude with the explosion quirk from that other class. Tch, I bet she's here waiting for him, the lucky bastard"
"Aw shit, for real? I kinda expected that, but still…"
Interest reaching its peak, Izuku followed where their gazes were pointing at, wanting to figure out who was this enigmatic figure apparently half of Aldera stopped to gawk at.
When he did though, he became incapable of preventing his jaw from dropping to the ground, only for a different set of reasons than everyone else.
The person gathering everyone's attention was reclined on a wall, browsing through her phone with an expression of complete boredom painted on her still undoubtedly flawless features, almost as if ignorant of the stares sent her way. As far as fashion goes, she decided to go with an unbuttoned blanched brown cardigan with two white circle marks on its lower right edge, with a pure white tie loosely hanging between her neck and chest area. Along with that, the person just a few meters ahead of him also wore a deep ocean blue skirt just an inch larger than her contrasting pleated red one from two weeks ago.
Save for the lack of a ribbon on her left chest area, it was more or less an altered version of her previous outfit, with her hairpins, boots, white dress shirt, and her bra being of the exact same design as the outfit she wore the last time they met, but different or not, there wasn't a single hint of doubt in Izuku's mind about who this was.
"E-Enoshima!?" Which is why he couldn't help crying out her name in shock.
Much to his misfortune, that gained for the second occasion today the entire focus of everyone in the vicinity, only this time with stares varying with pure skepticism and contempt.
Just when some of them were preparing a new round of insults for daring to suggest he knew her, their attention went back to the girl when she made a questioning sound and turned to where his voice came from.
Such attention turned into confusion when her eyes flashed with recognition and an ear-to-ear grin formed on her lips.
"Ah, Zuzu! There ya are!" The confusion into incredulous disbelief when they saw the strawberry blonde rush in his direction until landing just in front of Izuku…and then trapped him in a bear hug.
This, and considering the height difference and the angle at which Enoshima began the embrace, resulted in Izuku being suffocated between her bosom.
Apparently, that was the last straw for everyone watching.
"T-That guy!?"
"What the hell!? That bullshit about knowing her was real!?"
"Hey, isn't that wuss Midoriya from 3-A?"
"H-How does he know her!?"
"I wanna be hugged like that too!"
Leaving aside that last statement and the other dozens of choruses in outrage that came after, this series of events left Izuku with such a wild rush of emotions that he didn't knew whose to attend. First of all, while flustered at hearing her use that nickname, he was delighted to see Enoshima once again. He was confused too, considering what put this possibility in doubt in the first place. Of course, he was also internally short-circuiting from the fact that a girl was being this…intimate with him.
As he pointed out before, it was a complete storm of mixed thoughts to deal with. Because of that, his mind prioritized the most urgent matter in an attempt to set things straight.
I-I need…a-air…!
Although he wouldn't necessarily say he hated this situation 'Quite the opposite in fact…', not only feeling the stares full of jealousy piercing his head without him looking were making him uncomfortable, but he was sure his skin tone was changing to purple by the lack of oxygen.
Even so, he didn't wanted to come out as rude by outright rejecting the hug 'A hug! A girl was hugging me! She was…she was also asphyxiating me though…' Enoshima was giving him. So, he resigned to merely tapping what he hoped was her shoulders and not somewhere inappropriate and waited for Enoshima to understand what he meant by such a gesture.
Thankfully, his prayers were heard and Izuku could feel a wave of air entering his lungs once he was finally free from the strawberry blonde's embrace.
"Hehe, I ended up overreacting, didn't I? Whoopsies~" So she said, but her tone of voice suggested that she wasn't that apologetic.
Still, he couldn't find any ill intent in her words, so he didn't thought much of it. Besides, how could he hold any grudge at that when it was merely a hug…a warm, soft, with a strawberry fragrance hug which he was quickly beginning to miss, but a hug nonetheless.
"Hah…no…no, it's okay" Izuku managed to say, even if only barely due to the still lack of air in his lungs. After a minute of recovering though, he accomplished a more coherent response "Still…Enoshima, w-what are you doing here?"
That earned him a confused look from the blue-eyed girl "Huh? Don't tell me you forgot about that invitation to hang out I sent you yesterday?"
"N-No, of course I didn't! But…um, when I asked you for more details regarding that, you didn't answer, so I…" He trailed off, unable to hide how that hurt in its totality.
"Ah, you thought a forgot about it because of that, didn't you?" While Izuku didn't gave a verbal response, his involuntary wincing delated his thoughts "Sorry! Sorry! It's just that I wanted to surprise ya"
"Surprise me?" Izuku echoed. The negativity from just a moment ago dissipated in exchange for expectant confusion.
The strawberry-blonde eagerly nodded "Mhm! I thought that our reencounter shoulda been something special, and what better way of making it unexpected than with you not expecting it at all!"
"I-I see…" It was admittedly a bit weird to have such a swift change in mood, but given the circumstances, Izuku couldn't help moving from happy at encountering Enoshima, to sad when reminiscing about not hearing from Enoshima last night all the way to this very moment, until finally standing on delighted that there was an explanation for her actions 'It might sound like a weird excuse, but seeing that she is here, it must be true. Right?'. For all good that was though, there was one thing that confused him "Uh, although…not that I doubt what you are saying or anything at all! But, erm, how did you figure out you would find me here?"
As far as he remembered, he never told her at which school he went.
If Enoshima felt caught off guard by that question, she made a flawless job in not showing it "Oh that was easy, I just had to browse through the web which school your uniform came from, check some small details about it once I had the location figured out, like its schedule and stuff, and that was it…Uwah, saying that out loud sounded a bit weird. I didn't come out as creepy, did I?"
Not wanting to make her feel uncomfortable, Izuku quickly went into reassuring her "Oh, not at all Enoshima! If anything, I am grateful you put this much effort to make sure this meeting happened"
Best of all was that he entirely meant it. For the good of him, Izuku couldn't recall the last time someone was this enthusiastic about spending time with him outside of his mom. Had it ever happened before in the first place? He certainly can't remember nor imagine Kacchan ever doing all of what Enoshima did even before the revelation of their quirks, or lack thereof, came to light.
Before the remembrance of such times along with the always stinging reminder that he was quirkless became capable of throwing him into a spiral of self-contempt, Enoshima's voice brought him back to reality "Hehe, why of course I would go this far for my dear friend!"
Her…what?
Izuku couldn't believe what she said, so dumb as it might sound, he wanted to make sure he didn't had misheard that "E-Enoshima, do…do you consider me a friend already?"
"Yep!" The strawberry-blonde easily confirmed "And I have the feeling that we will eventually become the best of friends. Our bond will be such that not even death will make you forget about me!"
While phrased in a way that was admittedly concerning, by this point Izuku knew Enoshima was just being her eccentric self. He may not know her by that long 'Really, just about a single day…', but in the brief time he had spent with her, it wasn't unusual for her to make those kinds of exaggerated remarks for any subject you could think of.
This is why he took what she was saying as her way of showing how much she wanted this friendship to work, and that in itself felt like such a nice gesture that made him want to cry out of happiness.
Of course, being a Midoriya, that meant he could already feel a few tears threatening to roll down his cheeks "I-Is that so? I…I don't know what to say…"
"Well, for now, let's wipe out those tears, yeah?" Enoshima said, her voice filled with that understanding and sympathy that made Izuku develop…an enormous admiration for her back on the day they met "I mean, you don't wanna for your friends to look as you are right now, do you?"
Before he could question what was she talking about, a bulb of realization lit up along with a sentiment of dread.
Discretely looking around, he could see that the audience he forgot about not only was still here but their looks were filled with envy that grew darker than he last remembered.
Although problematic as that was, that wasn't what had him still shifting his gaze on the lookout.
He's still not here, but…we…we have spent too much time here, i-if we don't hurry up, he will…
Agreeing with that train of thought, he quickly nodded at the blue-eyed girl "Y-Yeah, you are right, Enoshima. Also, I-I think we should be on our way. After all, w-we don't want to be late, right?"
"Eh? I don't remember telling you an hour at which we needed to be there, though? Neither to where are we going in the first place, did I?" Enoshima questioned with a quirked eyebrow that while not accusatory nor annoyed, still threatened to give Izuku a panic attack for its unexpectedness. Before he could concern himself giving an excuse about that though, she did a nonchalant shrug "Eh, whatevs. Your right, let's get going!"
Sighing in relief, the green-haired boy gave the strawberry blonde another nod in agreement before turning to leave along with her. Grateful that they managed to avoid―
"DEKU!"
Izuku could've sworn his heart came to an abrupt stop for a moment when he heard the hoarse yet always recognizable voice of his once childhood friend in the company of loud stomps that promised Izuku he won't get out of this one without some heated words and public humiliation in between, and only that if he was lucky.
Turning around, he confirmed being right in the money when Kacchan, along with his two lackeys, Aoki, a messy dark-haired boy with a quirk that allowed him to extend his neck, and Denchi, a dirt-blonde with hair reaching down his chin whose quirk allowed him to extend his fingers, approached him. His two 'friends' had amused looks on their faces, and the ash-blonde himself carried his trademark glare that held every time he was displeased with Izuku, which was an incident that happened much more than what the green-haired boy would've liked to.
Worse of all, Izuku couldn't help grimacing when all three of them fully noticed Enoshima, with the ash-blonde's cronies gawking like hyenas in front of a meat buffet, and Kacchan developing a confused look, obviously wondering why someone like Enoshima would bother to talk to him. It was likely they came here in the first place when they saw him talk with a girl, but seeing Enoshima up close no doubt was a whole different ordeal. It for sure was him and anyone who had seen her so far.
That didn't matter at this moment though, what was eating Izuku from the inside out was the possibility of losing his friend the very day he made it.
He didn't wanted to doubt Enoshima, far from it. He hated that there was still this lingering speck of doubt when time and time again she had proven to be a greater company than what anyone else in the entire world could claim to, all thanks to his insecurities whispering to him the possibility of Enoshima dumping him and feigning ignorance about him to keep public appearance because this time there were other people around.
Considering she hugged him in front of half the school, it was also a beyond illogical worry, but…what if Kacchan proves to be such a better prospect that Enoshima decides that her time was better spent with him? It wasn't that crazy of a theory, was it? There was a reason Izuku, despite their relationship no longer being what it used to be, still admired the ashen blonde to no end. Kacchan was strong, smart, and confident. Besides, his quirk was perfect for Heroics! In every single aspect, save for personality perhaps, he was everything Izuku could only hope to be.
What could Izuku offer Enoshima that Kacchan didn't had already?
Briefly glancing at the strawberry-blonde, hoping to get a hint of how she would react to this predicament, Izuku raised a brow at what he saw.
Nothing.
There wasn't expectancy, fascination, curiosity, or something of similar sentiments that would indicate that Enoshima was interested in Kacchan. Neither was anything on the opposite end like wariness, distrust, or annoyance. There wasn't a hint that could give away what Enoshima was feeling at seeing the trio approaching. The only detail on her face breaking protocol from complete stoicism, was a minuscule smile that almost made her look…amused?
Try as he might, he couldn't make heads or tails of what that expression truly meant. So, whether he liked it or not, Izuku knew that his worries won't be placated until the very moment of truth.
Said moment of truth came sooner than he would've wanted to when Kacchan and his two companions finally reached him and Enoshima.
Only sparing him a short impassive look, the ashen blonde turned to the blue-eyed girl "You, who the hell are you? And why are ya hanging with that piece of trash?"
"A-Ah, Kacchan, you see, she is―"
"Shut the fuck up, Deku! I wasn't talkin' to you, so keep yer shitty mouth shut until I say so, ya got me!?"
Izuku didn't want to comply with Kacchan's demands, now less than ever seeing that Enoshima was with him and he could only imagine how humiliating it would be to submit to the red-eyed boy in front of her.
Gathering all the courage he could, Izuku held his gaze firm with his head high against Kacchan's glare…for about ten seconds before Kacchan went from annoyed to murderous.
"…Well? Did yer tiny skull got it, or do ya need me to ingrain it into yer shitty head by force in front of everyone here?" The ashen-blonde said darkly, tiny explosions and smoke sparking within his hands.
And that was as far as his bravado could take him.
"…N-No, Kacchan…" Izuku muttered, looking away as to ignore the mocking gazes Kacchan's lackeys were most likely giving him…and because he didn't dare to see what look Enoshima was giving him.
"Thought so…" The red-eyed boy snarled, then his gaze went once again to Enoshima "Don't make me repeat myself. Who the fuck are you, and why are ya hanging with Deku?"
Much to Izuku's surprise, he didn't heard Enoshima giving an immediate response. Wondering why that was the case, he dared to go throw a glance in her direction. Suffice it to say, Izuku became even more bewildered by what he saw.
The small hint of merriment she had a moment ago was gone. In its place, there was…nothing.
That…what does that mean?
Never being one to tolerate even the tiniest lack of respect for his person, the lack of an immediate response made Kacchan throw Enoshima a growl while releasing some explosions "Oi, didn't ya hear me!? I asked you, where―"
"Ah, how silly of me! Where are my manners?" Resting her right hand on her bust, Enoshima gave an amicable smile that wasn't reaching her eyes before doing a forty-five-degree bow without departing her gaze away from the boys in front of her "Junko Enoshima, destroyer of worlds! Nice to meetcha!"
The other three teenagers…along with Izuku himself admittedly, raised their brows at that unusual introduction, though already 'Somewhat…' used to her antics, he quickly waved it off as Enoshima acting as usual. As for Kacchan's cronies, their puzzlement only lasted until their eyes went down and caught sight of Enoshima's bust, which thanks to its angle her current position was exposing more of it than what her attire already did, making the two of them develop lecherous gazes that Izuku wasn't liking one bit.
Kacchan wasn't an exception 'About being weirded out by Enoshima's introduction, not the peeking at her part', even if he quickly recovered as his confusion rapidly shifted onto his usual rough self "Whatever…you still haven't told me why you are with that waste of space"
"Yeah babe, why don't ya ditch that loser and come with us? I bet we can prove way better of a company if you just…" Daichi trailed off, and much to Izuku's horror, he noticed how his extendable fingers were discretely approaching Enoshima, and based on their direction, they were aiming at her chest!
Just when he was about to warn Enoshima of the boy's intentions, the strawberry blonde raised her hand…catching two of Daichi's fingers with ease, putting a swift end to his scheme.
"What are you doing?"
For a moment Daichi had an expression of panic at being caught red-handed, but one quick glance at Kacchan made him regain confidence. Izuku knew that Kacchan fought for no one else but himself, so depending on him was a futile endeavor. Apparently, the dirt-blonde thought otherwise regardless.
Wrongly assuming that the ashen-blonde had him backed up, Daichi turned to Enoshima with a smirk on his face.
"Hehe, oh you know, those knockers of yours looked heavy, so I was just trying to―AAAAAAAAH! I-It hurts!" Whatever poor excuse he wanted to give her, died out in exchange for a cry of pain as Enoshima's hold on the still-captured fingers tightened. Izuku had no way of knowing, but judging by Daichi's face contorted in agony and how no matter he tried to pry his arm away with his other hand she wasn't even budging a bit, Enoshima's grasp on his digits must be no joke.
"So, they can extend but their density stays the same? Huh, curious" If these were other circumstances, Izuku would've entered into his 'Quirk Nerd' mode at that sudden revelation. For now, though, he could only watch with some growing concern what was happening in front of him "Anyhow…you were saying? I could've sworn you were about to confess your attempt of harassment, but could ya confirm it for me?"
"W-What? No, I-I merely―AAAARGH! O-Okay! I-I get it! Yeah, I was trying to cup feel, a-alright!?" Daichi howled out for everyone within Aldera to hear, earning frowns in disapproval from the guys, and looks of disgust from the female population watching the ordeal "T-There, I said it! Let me go, please!"
Impressive as it was discovering how strong Enoshima must be to make such a painful grip, Izuku was worried for a moment that she was going to make deaf ears of Daichi's request. Some force was justified seeing that he was trying to molest her. But if she were to go beyond that? Perhaps crushing his digits until they became useless? That would be taking things too far.
Fortunately, his worries were unnecessary. As soon as Daichi made his confession, Enoshima didn't wasted a second in letting go of the boy, who once free put his finger on his mouth in an attempt of mitigating the pain.
Apparently too stunned to regain his senses until now, the second of Kacchan's lackeys, Aoki, approached the 'victim' to make sure his friend was okay.
Kacchan, on the other hand, didn't gave them more than a brief glance before turning to Enoshima with a snort "Alright, pigtails. I will give ya that you got some balls…" The amusement quickly dissipated in exchange for a dark snarl "…But I'm getting tired of your bullshit about avoiding the question again and again. If ya know what's good for ya, answer me…what's your deal with Deku?"
There were a few seconds of tense silence in which Kacchan prodded Enoshima for a response with an impatient glare, with the strawberry blonde being the peak of impassiveness, not faltering in the slightest under it.
A second before Kacchan's tolerance for Enoshima's reticence reached its peak, Enoshima spoke up "Oh, Zuzu's my friend! What about it?"
A warm feeling swelled up in Izuku's chest when the Enoshima said that out loud. She already said the same thing to him just a few minutes ago, but for her to do so in front of others, forget that, to Kacchan of all people? His already enormous feel―admiration for Enoshima went up to eleven.
Such a shame the others didn't share his sentiments.
Disbelief would be an understatement regarding how the three of them took Enoshima's words, with Kacchan's cronies having their jaws hanging open, and the ashen-blonde going as far as making a choking sound.
Whatever the case, there was no doubt that Enoshima's declaration threw Kacchan for a loop "Zuzu…? Your…friend…?"
The way the ashen-blonde said that almost made it sound like he couldn't understand those terms, as if he couldn't believe that someone would regard him as anything else other than Deku or any other degrading name, and even more confusing that anyone would consider Izuku his friend.
It hurt…it truly was painful to see how lesser of him the red-eyed boy thought of.
Insensitive to Kacchan's incredulity, Enoshima continued with an eager nod "Yep! I mean, can ya blame me? When a girl is surrounded by loud brutes and sexual harassers…" There wasn't any doubt as to whom those remarks were aimed at, Enoshima made sure of that by the way she looked at each of them "…She needs a retrieve of that crap, y'know? Speaking of which…"
Before Izuku could react, an arm coiled around his neck and glued him to Enoshima's side, and as if that wasn't enough to make him a sputtering mess, he felt a hand pinching a cheek with a firm yet gentle hold.
And with that Izuku entered into an emergency shutdown.
"I hit the jackpot with this cinnamon roll, didn't ya? Yep, of course I did! Isn't that so, Zuzu?"
"A-A-Ah…E-Eh…ah…h-huh…t-that's…"
"I will take that as a yes~"
Upon hearing that, the ashen-blonde looked as if he of all people would turn into sputtering incoherent words. Although for all interesting that could be, Izuku came back to his senses when he noticed Kacchan growing a dangerous smirk.
"Oh? Is that so? He's such good company…even if he's quirkless? You were aware of that, right?" At the mention of that, his two companions gained just as vicious grins as his leader, surely believing this was the angle they were looking for.
That made Izuku grow concerned…for about five seconds. After all, if he was honest with himself, by this point he wasn't that surprised by what Enoshima said next.
"Oh yeah, since the first day of knowing him actually. Why?"
If this wasn't Kacchan they were talking about, the green-eyed boy was sure he wouldn't have resisted a chuckle at the face Kacchan was making. It couldn't be helped; he was looking no different than a globefish opening and closing his mouth.
"Y-You…are ya hearing yourself!? Deku is a Deku! How the fuck does that not get through your empty head!?" At this point, Izuku couldn't help but wonder why Kacchan was being so insistent on his attempts to ruin his friendship with Enoshima. Could…could it be that he does see Izuku as that unworthy of having at least one friend? Was that it? And to talk to Enoshima like that only to prove his point…
…
…Taking advantage that neither he nor his companions were paying him any attention…Izuku dared send an indignant frown at the ashen blonde.
"Whoa…" Enoshima began, her voice monotone "…I must say, you are like, the most insecure guy I've met in my life"
It happened so fast that Izuku barely noticed it happening.
A moment his eyes were about to bulge out at what Enoshima said, and the next one Kacchan was holding the strawberry blonde by the collar of her tie, leveling her down considering that even if it wasn't by much, Enoshima was also taller than Kacchan.
Not like that mattered. What was about to give Izuku a heart attack were the murderous eyes of the ashen-blonde in combination with his free hand readying an explosion aimed at Enoshima's face.
That was also the last straw for him.
He might tolerate the cruel remarks, the jeers, the punches, and all other kinds of abuse directed at him. But endangering his friend? That was something that no matter how much he feared the ashen-blonde at this moment, he couldn't tolerate it.
"K-Kacchan, you can't!" Izuku cried out as he rushed in their direction, hoping to pry the ashen-blonde away from Enoshima.
"Shove it, nerd! I will deal with you later!" While doing so though, he didn't account that it was Kacchan of all people Izuku was dealing with, so even with a single hand, the red-eyed boy was capable of shoving him away.
Regardless of the apparent futility, Izuku didn't give up, he just couldn't let Kacchan hurt Enoshima. Once again, he urged himself to approach the two of them.
"I told ya to wait for yer fucking turn, Deku!" Unfortunately, a single yet rougher push was all it took to drive him away for a second occasion while this time also landing on his butt "Once I'm done with pigtails over there, I'm gonna take my sweet time putting you in your place!"
"You really love to bark, don't you? What are you, some angry Pomeranian?" She wasn't kidding about that!?
"What the fuck didya just call me!?" Wait, that wasn't important!
"E-Enoshima! Y-You shouldn't―"
"Izuku"
Of all things he could expect while looking up at the voice that spoke, seeing Enoshima showing him her open palm on a stop signal at his direction wasn't one of them.
Before could wonder what was the meaning of that, Enoshima raised her voice "Izuku…do you trust me?"
"Y-Yeah, I do!" The green-haired wasn't surprised when the answer to that question came instantly "B-But Kacchan, he…"
"Ah, don't ya worry about that. I got this covered" Enoshima said, sending him a grin and a wink.
"Got this covered?" Deeming the chat time as over, the red-eyed boy spoke up "Don't make me laugh, bitch! I dunno what your quirk is, but you can bet your ass it doesn't stand a chance against mine! There's no fucking way someone willing to hang out with Deku has a strong quirk, ya got me!?"
"Hmmmmm, well you aren't wrong about my quirk…" Before Kacchan could bask in victory at her admission, Enoshima continued "…But! But! It isn't that what you should concern yourself with, y'know?"
That made Kacchan raise an eyebrow "The fuck does that mean?"
"I meeean…I dunno if you have noticed but we are surrounded by people. People who love to upload on their social media whatever big topic happens in their everyday life and if they have the chance to take pictures or record evidence of it? Even better for them! That would allow them to talk about it without anyone being capable of calling them out about being liars, isn't that so? And if the math doesn't fall me…A loud and aggressive boy hurting me, a cute girl who isn't even from this school, with something as violent as an explosion sounds like the kind of stuff that would classify as big for those watching us right now"
While Kacchan was looking at Enoshima with a quirked eyebrow, no doubt wondering where she was getting at…Izuku's eyes widened when he understood the implications Enoshima was making.
The testimonies…
The evidence on social media…
There was also that important point she made near the end.
Enoshima wasn't from this school.
Precisely because she wasn't a student here, Enoshima was outside the jurisdiction of Aldera, and that made her an unknown factor that the school couldn't deal with like they would with someone within the institution. They couldn't silence or threaten her about her educational future if she wanted to present charges against Kacchan.
All of that meant that if Kacchan were to make an act of aggression here…
…
Despite the current circumstances, Izuku was truly hoping that Kacchan didn't make a mistake. Now not only for Enoshima's sake…but for Kacchan's own too.
The ashen-blonde's fury towards the strawberry-blonde didn't allow him to see the big picture though "Why the shit should I care what a bunch of extras think of me!? They can talk whatever the fuck they want about behind my back, but that doesn't change they are nothing more than stepping stones on my path to glory! And if they frame the beat-up I am about to give ya? Pfft, that's your shit to deal with, not mine!"
"Alright then, do it"
It took Izuku's brain almost a minute to register what Enoshima just said. When it did though, a single thought came to him.
What…?
"What?" Apparently, it was the same case for the red-eyed boy.
"Didn't ya just hear me? Do it" Enoshima repeated, her volume controlled enough that only those close to her could hear her, but…there was something that Izuku had never heard before on the strawberry blonde's voice, catching him off-guard, and not in a good way "It will feel good, won't it? After all, you wanna do it, don't you? To scorch up my annoying face with one of those explosions of yours and put me in my place, right? Who cares about the consequences? Even if it does have a far from small chance of ruining your future, who gives a crap? Set your fury free on me without restraint and forget of worrying about what comes afterward. C'mon big boy…do it~"
With that statement made, the whispers of the surrounding audience wondering what was going on were the only thing preventing an absolute silence as both blondes went into a staring contest of sorts.
Kacchan seemed relatively calm, as on his face there was nothing else other than an irked frown…at least at first glance. Izuku knew better though. Friends or not, just beside the ashen-blonde's parents 'And that would still be up to debate…', Izuku had spent more time with Kacchan than anyone else in his entire life to the point that he could pick up on certain details.
Like the fact that he was nervous.
Perhaps that would be too big of a word, but the point was that Enoshima's words hit the right spot just enough to not allow Kacchan's ego to dismiss what she was saying now, at least not right away. After all, not even once Izuku had ever seen anyone in Enoshima's position lasting as much as she had done without being on the receiving end of Kacchan's…far from gentle retaliations.
As for Enoshima, well, Izuku was sure that from most bystanders she wasn't giving Kacchan anything but a cheerful if somewhat taunting grin. Up close was a whole different ordeal though.
All in all, it seemed almost identically to one of those cheshire grins Enoshima was apparently fond of doing, though how it was a bit more stretched than usual, the look in her eyes, along with her voice and what she said…he didn't want to say it was disturbing, but Kacchan's lackeys obviously thought otherwise with how unnerved each of them looked while having first-row seats at Enoshima's expression. Even Kacchan of all people seemed bothered by it if that bead of sweat Izuku could swear wasn't there a moment ago was anything to go by.
Perhaps he would've pondered about all those details in other circumstances, but right now he was overwhelmed by concern for the wellbeing of his first friend in more than a decade.
After all, whatever the outcome of this may be, Izuku knew that this confrontation couldn't continue forever.
"Well, what's it gonna be?" Clearly, Enoshima thought so too "Time's ticking…Kacchan"
Much to Izuku's dismay, that was all the ashen-blonde required to get riled up once again "THAT'S IT BITCH! YOU ASKED FOR IT! GET READY TO―"
"W-WAIT! B-Bakugo, erm...dude?" Just when Kacchan was about to lunge his hand on Enoshima's face, Aoki cautiously spoke up loudly enough to get the red-eyed boy's attention. That made Izuku admittedly confused…at least until he saw how the dozens of students watching this ordeal from afar were growing more and more angsty as the ash-blonde was still aggressively holding who was as far as everyone was concerned, a pretty girl who hadn't slighted anyone…Daichi not counting. While Izuku didn't approve of unnecessary violence, Enoshima was defending herself from being groped, so it wasn't a baseless act.
For once, I was sure everyone agreed with me on that one.
With a quick glance, and if those slightly widened eyes were anything go by, Kacchan noticed it too.
"Wow…is he really gonna hit that chick unprovoked?"
"I knew the guy was rough, but…Uwah, scary…"
"Midoriya I could understand…but that girl, dude? I dunno…"
"Tch, that bastard better not dare ruin her face!"
"The girl's so hot…what if she's a model? I mean, just look at how she wears those clothes! It has to be, right? Wouldn't that get him into trouble?"
"I bet not even the principal would get him outta this one if he does mess with such a beauty…"
"Yeah, if he does something to that girl with this many people around as testimonies, he can kiss his chances of getting into U.A. goodbye…"
"…Eh?" More or less hearing the same warning that Enoshima gave him from the multitude, only this time with the name of the most prestigious hero school in Japan involved, Izuku could see that was the bucket of cold water that placated Kacchan's fury and softened his hold on Enoshima.
With an audible gulp, Aoki once again turned to the red-eyed boy "B-Bro? P-Perhaps we should let her―"
"Shut it, will ya!?" Kacchan snapped at the boy before glancing at Enoshima for the briefest of moments, with a look on his face that Izuku just couldn't figure out what it meant. Whatever it was though, it was replaced with a glare as he threw a snarl "Tch…this shit ain't worth my time" Kacchan growled as he let go of Enoshima, stuffing his hands in his pockets afterward. Then, the ash-blonde turned to him "Hmph, it makes sense this whore is your friend, Deku. Only someone just as fucked up in the head as you are with that delusion of becoming a hero while being quirkless would want to hang out with you"
"Y-Yeah, she's such a crazy bitch!" Daichi exclaimed though it didn't go unnoticed by Izuku how he nervously got closer to Kacchan as he said that.
The only signal that showed Kacchan heard that was a dismissive scoff, but besides that and one last glare at Enoshima, he didn't say anything else as he finally left the scene, with his cronies trailing close behind.
That also worked as the cue for everyone watching that their diversion came to an end, thus leaving too, even if some of them did so not before sending either a longing look at Enoshima or an envious one at him.
Once the coast was more or less clear, Enoshima turned to him with a sigh while offering him a hand "Sorry 'bout that Zuzu"
Hesitating for just a fraction of a second, out of surprise at hearing her apologize more than anything else, the green-haired boy accepted the hand and got himself up with her help.
"N-No, y-you don't have to apologize for anything, Enoshima. I…I get why you did what you did" Izuku could admit that some of Enoshima's behavior from a few minutes ago was…unusual, even for her own eccentric standards. Regardless of that though, everything she did was overall in self-defense.
While it was true that he didn't wish for Kacchan to lose his chance of attending U.A., Izuku also understood that attacking Enoshima like that was wrong and it was bound to have consequences, which would understandably lead also to some heated words in between.
As for his cronies? It was more of the same. The boy was trying to grope her without her consent, and Izuku wasn't ignorant of the existence of pepper sprays or stun guns. By all means, making Daichi's fingers hurt for one or two hours was tame in comparison.
So yeah, it was strange…but it was just as concerning the scenarios in which Enoshima ended up involved against her will. The stress could make you do and say the weirdest of things on impulse, Izuku would know a thing or two about that.
"Still…" His words seemed to have reached her, although that didn't mean the small hints of remorse were gone "I know I was being weird back there, but it's just that that guy and his minions were acting like a bunch of absolute morons, y'know? So, I just felt like they need a good scare" Shaking her ahead, almost as if attempting to dissipate those negative thoughts gnawing her away, Enoshima then faced him with a tender smile "In any case, thanks for being so understanding, Zuzu. It's hard to come by with people like you these days"
He knew that any response on his part to such a heartfelt statement would've ended in an incomprehensible spur of incoherent words. This is why he hoped Enoshima could ignore his no doubt crimson red face as he gave her a nod in acceptance.
…
…
…
Even so…
While part him was over the cloud at the fact that someone for the first had stood up for him while also not minding him being quirkless in the process, a lump of guilt was beginning to form in his stomach when he thought of everything Enoshima had to go through.
Those leering gazes, the way Daichi tried to touch her, even Kacchan calling…calling her with such names. Because of my weakness, Enoshima had to fight her and my own battles. All because I was too useless to do anything about it! Because I am such a Dek―
"Oh, and let me tell ya this before you get too deep into your own mind: I don't wanna see you sulk for something so banal as feeling you owe anything or believing something out of your control was your fault, you get me?"
"E-Eh!? H-How did you―…no, I shouldn't ask that. You…you are just that smart to easily figure it out, aren't you?" For now, there wasn't any reason to not be playing along, but he was almost sure that Enoshima's quirk was related to some sort of super intuition.
Perhaps it is straight-up mind-reading!? I seriously need to test it out at some point…or maybe I should just ask her about it? Y-Yeah, that seems like the most sensible option.
"Heh, aintcha a sharp cookie too?" Enoshima said with a smirk. Then, her features turned a tad less playful "Seriously, tho. I dunno if you have noticed by now, but I'm a certified magnet for trouble. You can rest assured that your chance to save my butt will eventually come, alright?"
Part of him still wanted to lament his uselessness. To berate himself for not being able to keep her friend away from harm, and honestly speaking, he will most likely continue to do so. Although…it was admittedly harder than he expected when you have someone keeping you in such high regard as she does even after all that had happened.
"W-Well it's not like I'm wishing for those circumstances to occur. Even so, I…I get what you are trying to say. So, thank you Enoshima, I appreciate the sentiment" He truly did. Izuku knew he had been repeating the same thought time and time again ever since Enoshima told him those magical words two weeks ago, but no matter on how many occasions he does it, Izuku still wanted to thank whatever deity that decided bring someone as amazing as Enoshima to him.
Besides, she is right about the possibility of another incident occurring, whether we want it or not, or if it involves Kacchan or something worse. Because of that…next time, no matter under which circumstances we find ourselves, I will make sure of being the one to protect her. Not for self-satisfaction, not out of debt, but merely because she is my friend!
"Of course, buddy" The blue-eyed girl said with an appreciative nod, before developing a more contemplative expression "Anyhow, seeing that that jackass is gone. What do you say of getting on our way now?"
"On our way? Oh, y-yeah…" The whole ordeal with Kacchan almost made him forget about why Enoshima came here in the first place "Yeah, let's go…" Despite all of that, Izuku managed to fight his nerves to send the strawberry blonde a fond smile.
After all, with everything that had happened so far, there was less doubt than ever on his mind that Enoshima had come to stay into his life.