Upon waking up, Izuku has three thoughts in rapid succession.

One; it's morning now.

The gentle sunlight streaming through the blinds was just bright enough to rouse him from slumber. Or rather, the one specific beam of sunlight that had so very rudely decided to shine directly onto his sleeping face, that's what roused him.

Two; no one's murdered him in his sleep.

By the time he'd fallen unconscious that hadn't really been much of a concern anymore, but it was always nice to not be murdered. Just once was enough for him, thanks.

And three; circuses are fucking loud.

It's still too early for the circus to actually be up and running—considering the clock on the wall proudly proclaiming it was about six in the morning—but he can hear people talking nearby, the sound of animals, and... oh.

Someone's knocking on a door.

The door to his little room, specifically.

He stalks silently towards it, but stops midstep when a muffled voice calls through. A voice he recognizes.

"Hello hello~ Is 'Nobody' still in there?"

It's the Ringleader.

Still feeling a good bit cautious despite the man's best efforts to help him feel comfortable last night, Izuku only opens the door a crack so he can peer up him.

"Ah! So he is," Korizami greets, sounding much too chipper for this early in the morning and one hand raised like he was just about to knock again. Though now that Izuku had answered the door, the man takes a step back. "I do hope you slept well, Nobody-kun. How are we feeling about meeting some new people today?"

In truth, Izuku felt like shit. His legs ached from all the walking he'd done in the past day, it felt like someone had taken a jackhammer to his skull, and he was fucking exhausted.

So obviously it was the perfect time to meet an unknown amount of new people.

It was either that or hiding in here for the rest of his life, considering the fact Inko would have noticed his disappearance by now and consequently alerted the authorities. He has to be careful to make sure the wrong people didn't recognize him—the problem being of course that he has no idea who the 'wrong people' are.

Well, if everyone else at this circus was a runaway like him, he could at least assume they won't rat him out to the police.

Maybe they'd have food and coffee wherever Korizami's taking him, and he might even be allowed to have some. The coffee especially, please and fucking thank you, because he hasn't been able to have so much as a sip under Inko's ever-watchful eye.

But he actually has to answer before that can happen, so Izuku opens the door enough for Korizami to see him shrug and nod.

As much of a 'yes' as he was going to get.

Korizami seems to take his lack of a verbal response in stride though, simply gesturing with his head to the path behind him with a smile. "To the cafeteria we go, then. I do hope you're feeling hungry, cause there's plenty of food to go around—we always end up making too much."

This time Izuku doesn't even need to answer, because his stomach very rudely does so for him. He ducks his head with a disgruntled expression, but Korizami just laughs softly.

"I'll take that as a yes. Come along, then~"

Huffing, Izuku glances back at his bag as he pulls his shoes on, making sure to grab it before he trudges after the Ringleader.

Even if it was safe here, he really didn't feel like leaving his bag behind.

In the soft morning light, the path was much friendlier looking than it had been last night. And more detailed, funny how being awake enough to look at things helped with that.

He doesn't get much time to look around, though.

The 'cafeteria'—a plain structure whose only difference to all the other identical buildings was that it was the biggest—isn't too far away, and Izuku lingers near the entrance while Korizami announces their arrival. Most of the space inside was taken up by several long tables. Sat at those tables were what he would assume is everyone who works here at the circus, most looking up from their breakfasts and—oh, looking at him.

"Alright, everyone! As you may have heard, this is our newest addition to the family; currently known as Nobody-kun~!" Korizami says, loud enough for everyone to hear him—too loud in Izuku's opinion. "Please make sure to treat him kindly!"

Okay, so maybe asking to be called 'nobody' was a dumb idea. He had never claimed to be good at coming up with names on the spot. He's not too bothered about being introduced as 'Nobody-kun' though.

What does bother him is, again, he's being watched.

Despite the fact Izuku's faced far worse—countless villains sneering at him, a new class of twenty students every year, even that damn press conference—having so many people looking at him in this exact moment makes his chest tighten.

The gnawing urge to duck out of sight hits him like a nomu, and he's rather abruptly reminded of just how small he is as nine-year-old Midoriya Izuku.

Managing to resist the urge by the skin of his teeth—because he still has all the memories of Aizawa-fucking-Shouta and like hell was he going to cower—Izuku forces himself to shuffle a little further into the room and bow in greeting. At least with his eyes on the floor he doesn't have to face the fact everything's so much bigger than him.

Several voices call out greetings to fill the silence his lack of one had created.

Thus begins the arduous task of being introduced to countless new people. And by that, he means just following Korizami around while the man talks.

It's more people than he's ever been introduced to in this life beyond meeting his classmates at each new school. Not that any of them really paid him much mind outside of being bullying pricks, considering his mother and teachers were never quiet about his 'quirkless' status.

And apparently 'nobody' wasn't so odd of a name, since every name the Ringleader tells him are stage-names in and of themselves.

There's plenty of adults, many of them with physical mutations or obvious quirks that he's sure their society doesn't take kindly to. Some of them he even vaguely recognizes. Like the middle-aged woman covered in oil, lazily chewing on a sausage. She's introduced to him as 'The Conductor', and if he remembers correctly her quirk had something to do with steam trains. Other adults too, a lanky man called 'The Contortionist'—no need to guess what he does here—then a short, burly woman in coveralls he's told is 'The Zookeeper'.

Enough adults that he starts to lose track of all of them.

They're not what gets his attention though, no. It's the kids. Not a whole lot of them, certainly not as many as there are adults, but it just cements the fact this place really does harbor runaway minors.

Like him.

And apparently 'nobody' wasn't so odd of a name, since every name the Ringleader tells him are stage-names in and of themselves.

"We've got our triple trouble Doppelganger siblings-" Korizami gestures at three identical teenagers, their hair a pale blonde and eyes as pitch black as his used to be. The similarities ended there though, as they all had bowls of different cereals and were wearing different clothing.

"Sup—Hey—Yo-" the three of them greet at the same time, otherwise seeming uninterested as Korizami moves on the next teenager, this one with a rather bird-like appearance.

"This here's Mockingbird-"

"Nice to, meet, you! Nobody-kun~!" the introduced 'Mockingbird' chirps, though it sounds like more than one person was speaking—the words stilted and clipped together, with the 'Nobody-kun~!' at the end being a perfect replication of Korizami's voice just a moment ago. Interesting. Seeming to catch his expression, Mockingbird adds, "my quirk... Mimic!"

Ah, Mocking-bird.

Right.

"And I'm Momiji!" a young voice squeaks, just a second before a red panda that had apparently been clinging to Mockingbird's back appears near their shoulder. And... was it wearing a t-shirt?

Wait, a talking animal.

This better not be another Nedzu situation.

Admittedly, he had never heard of a talking red panda in his last life, and considering he'd worked with Nedzu for years he thinks he would have. That is, if his previous employer had ever known Momiji existed in the first place. But why wouldn't he?

Another talking animal in Japan was kind of a big deal.

"Ah, I was just about to introduce you, Momiji-kun," Korizami tuts, reaching a hand out to ruffle the fur between the panda's ears with a fond smile, eliciting a giggle. Then he turns to Izuku and raises a finger to his lips, winking. "Momiji-kun is one of our little secrets here at the circus, you see."

...Oh, now he remembers.

One of the forms he'd signed last night had been a nondisclosure agreement.

Even that could be ignored though if someone really wanted to talk about what they'd seen, but it's entirely possible that when the circus had been shut down everyone they'd arrested had decided to keep him a secret.

That, or Momiji had been taken in by the HPSC and subsequently disappeared before anyone was able to learn of his existence. Which was exactly what Izuku was trying to avoid happening to him.

Nedzu wasn't the only one who would be interested in another quirked animal.

And it's not like he could remember very many fine details of a case that happened nearly a decade ago for him. He'd just been brought in as extra muscle to help with clean-up, and thus had no part in interrogating any of the captured suspects. What he did know is that most of the adults ended up in prison, and the minors had been put into protection programs or juvie.

He feels a little bad about his involvement now, but he couldn't dwell on it. All that mattered was the circus shouldn't be shut down until he's already in school and able to take care of himself.

And maybe, just maybe, he could tip the Ringleader off about the raid so they could get away in time.

Then they're moving onto the next person, and both Momiji and Mockingbird are waving goodbye.

After a moment's hesitation, Izuku does the same.

Soon, he's been more or less introduced to everyone in the cafeteria.

All but one.

Because there's a person standing ominously in the corner of the room dressed entirely in a purple robe. They hadn't moved or said anything, and no one had given any indication they knew the guy was there, but the pulse of a quirk tells Izuku they're a real person.

The Ringleader must notice him staring, because a moment later he startles Izuku with a hand on his shoulder.

"I see you've noticed Shinpi," he says. "They just sort of do their own thing here, you don't need to worry yourself 'bout them."

Izuku raises an eyebrow at him in response.

The guy's name is 'Mystery'?

Seriously?

But when Izuku glances back to the corner of the room, the mysterious 'Shinpi' has disappeared.

Okay, what the actual fuck?

He doesn't really get a chance to think much more on it, because the Ringleader is talking again, ushering Izuku towards the table laden with breakfast foods. He's reminded again of his own hunger.

"Now, I know that it is rather tempting to eat nothing but junk and candy at the circus," Izuku listens to Korizami say, "but I do hope you'll—"

The door to the cafeteria swings open with a bang then, startling Izuku nearly out of his skin.

He watches, wide-eyed and bristling, as a girl with green and purple hair stumbles through the room and past them, headed straight for the coffee machine. Izuku honestly can't blame her, he could go for some coffee himself.

"Ah, that'd be our Jester," the Ringleader chuckles in explanation. He leads Izuku closer, to where the girl—apparently called 'Jester'—is pouring herself a mug of the steaming hot coffee. Korizami continues, "She likes making people laugh. Very helpful in the entertainment business, you know."

"Not before I've had my coffee I don't," Jester responds with a tired wink and a yawn. "You look like you could use some yourself. Seriously, those eyebags're darker than Momiji's, and he's practically a raccoon!"

She watches him closely for any sort of reaction, but if it's laughter she's after then Izuku has nothing for her.

"...Nothin', huh?" Jester huffs, predictably.

"I... don't laugh much," Izuku mutters with a halfhearted shrug, not really interested in getting all buddy-buddy with everyone when he was only going to be here temporarily. "Sorry."

"Aw, that's okay, I'll figure something out."

"I'd really rather you didn't."

The Ringleader steps back in then to say, "Since you missed the meet-and-greet earlier, Jester, this here is our newest addition; Nobody-kun."

Izuku offers an obliging 'yo' when he's prompted, but not much else.

"Creative," Jester notes lightly. "Y'know I'm called Jester, but you can just call me 'Emi' when we're off the clock, new guy."

Wait.

What?

"Well then, now that introductions are out of the way..." Izuku hears Korizami saying, but the words don't really reach him. His thoughts have ground to a halt.

Emi? Izuku thinks.

As in Fukukado Emi? Ms. Joke Emi?

Distantly; "How would you like a proper look around the place, Nobody-kun? It's much more impressive in the daylight, I assure you."

His mouth feels very dry all of a sudden, heart racing a mile a minute. Could it really be...?

No.

It's illogical, improbable. But so is the fact that he's here.

Maybe he's just so desperate for someone else to understand that he's projecting onto this random person now, or maybe, just maybe, he wasn't the only one brought back after death.

"Nobody-kun?"

But he's been alone for so long, and hope is painful. He doesn't know if he could take it if he's wrong. The more he looks though, the more likely it seems.

The right half of Jester's hair is the same light green he remembers Emi's being, and her left eye is that same darker green. There's a thin scar along the bridge of her nose, several colorful bracelets adorning both of her wrists, and an orange handkerchief tied around her neck. She looks about the same age as him, too, and he doesn't remember anyone like her being here in his last life.

So maybe, maybe it really is—

"Nobody-kun? Are you alright?" the Ringleader's voice startles him, and Izuku realizes that he's been clenching his fists so tightly his fingernails have cut into the palms of his hands.

"Sorry, um—" his voice cracks, and even after Izuku's cleared his throat his voice still comes out much too small for his liking. "...Emi?"

"That's my name, don't wear it out," she—Emi replies. Her gaze has sharpened now, watching him with this little frown that feels familiar and foreign all at once. "What's up, new guy?"

"I think..." Izuku hesitates, the tiny flicker of hope burning painfully in his chest. "I... may know you?"

Emi doesn't say anything at first, but Izuku notices that her knuckles have gone white around the coffee cup.

"Oh," she says.

Izuku immediately regrets his moment of weakness.

This is illogical, this is so fucking stupid of him. He's going to make these people think he's odd or untrustworthy, and all because he's so desperate for something that's been forever lost to him that he's throwing all caution to the wind.

He grits his teeth, glaring down at his shoes as he forces out the words "Nevermind... Sorry."

"Come now, Nobody-kun," he hears the Ringleader say, not unkindly, and a warm hand lands on his shoulder. "How about that tour? We can go once you've had something to eat."

Izuku can't exactly say no. An actual tour would be good, much better than his late night guesswork. He nods.

"Actually... how 'bout I show this one around?"

Emi's words are a surprise to both Izuku and Korizami, and when Izuku looks up he can see she's watching him with an unreadable expression.

"Are you certain, Jester?" Korizami asks, but Emi only waves him off.

"Yeah, yeah, keep your hat on, Big Top," she says, before downing what remains of her coffee. "I can give the new guy the grand tour."

She can?

Izuku doesn't really care who shows him around, but the way she's looking at him is making his skin itch. Like he's something new and interesting. Like she can see right through him and the front he puts up, despite how she appears to be barely older than himself.

But Izuku is older than he looks too, and if this Emi truly is who he thinks she is...

Maybe, maybe, maybe.

"Well, who am I to stop you? I thank you for your help, Jester," Korizami says, looking between the two of them. "If either of you have need of me, I shall be in my office."

The man gives a dramatic bow, before plucking an apple from the table and exiting the cafeteria.

"Alrighty then, new guy," Emi's voice brings Izuku back to the present, and he turns to watch her refill the coffee cup she's holding. "You're gonna get something to eat, and then I'm gonna show you around the place, 'kay?"

Izuku tries not to frown. "You can't just 'show me around' now?" he asks.

"Nope!" she says, popping the 'p'. He watches her take a long gulp from the steaming mug. Then, she continues, "First rule of living here; everybody eats."

"Does that include you having more than just coffee?" Izuku does frown this time, looking pointedly at her mug.

She laughs. "It does indeedy-do! Here, I'll eat with you, then we can go and you can ask all those questions you're no doubt dying to ask."

Izuku wouldn't say he's dying to ask his questions—or rather, ask one question in particular—but if eating something is all he has to do before he can do that, that's something he can do.

There's no jelly packets among the assortment of breakfast foods, but the onigiri look good enough. Izuku takes two, and he's pleasantly surprised to find the filling is spicy tuna. He grabs some coffee for himself as well, because holy shit it has been too damn long since he was able to have some without sneaking it.

Emi plops down next to the seat he'd chosen, a bowl of rice and eggs in one hand.

The only thing stopping Izuku from asking what he wants to ask is all the other people in the room with them. This wasn't exactly something he wanted anyone overhearing, especially if he ends up being wrong.

Just eating next to each other in silence was terribly awkward, though.

What makes matters worse is Izuku's abysmal social skills. He was terrible at it in his past life, and he hasn't magically gotten better at it now.

Thankfully, they both finish eating relatively fast.

Emi calls out goodbyes as they leave the cafeteria, with Izuku trailing awkwardly behind her.

They don't make it far.

"Okay, spill," Emi says once they've made it a good distance from the cafeteria, no other people around to hear them. "You wanted to ask something earlier, and I'll admit I'm curious. So, ask away."

Wait, just like that?

Izuku finds himself taken aback, shoulders tensing up as she stares him down.

"Um," he falters.

"Come one, I don't bite. Much."

She gestures at him to go on, and while Izuku is glad he didn't have to lead into the question he's suddenly at a loss for words.

Anxiety claws at his throat like a wild animal.

"Okay," he says, focusing down at his shoes as he heaves a sigh. He runs a hand through his hair. "Okay... Look, if I'm wrong you can just—just tell me off and I'll never mention it again. But...

"Are you—I-I mean... did you used to be...?"

When he dares to glance back at Emi, he can see that her face is twisted in a grimace. Conflicted, like she wants to hear him out but also that what he's saying is making her uncomfortable.

Fuck, shit.

"Um—" Izuku backpedals fast enough he's surprised he hasn't given himself whiplash. "Maybe this was a bad idea. I'm sorry, you just... reminded me of my friend. The Emi I remember used to love making others laugh, too, and—I'll just go-"

"Wait, what—" Emi says, freezing Izuku in his tracks. Then, she starts to laugh.

"I thought—oh, Kami." She doubles over as she laughs, and Izuku's not sure whether to be relieved or concerned. He settles on vaguely perplexed for now. Emi somehow manages to speak through her laughter, saying, "I—I thought you were gonna deadname me—" she snorts— "I mean, in a way you kinda did, but, yeah. Yeah, I'm Emi."

There's tears shimmering in her eyes when she finally straightens back up to look at him, then her smile falls as she seems to... realize something.

Izuku's skin crawls as she looks him over, her gaze flitting over him with an intense scrutiny before zeroing in on his own mismatched eyes. His right eye, specifically. His own Emi had always been terribly intuitive, if this really is her.

Reflected in her own eyes is the same kind of desperate, gnawing hope he can feel flickering brighter in his chest.

Please, it begs.

Let me be right, just this once.

He decides to take the risk, clenching his teeth before he lets his eyes flash red with Erasure.

Her gasp is all the proof he needs, but what she says next only solidifies it.

"...Shouta?"

He smiles at her—a real smile, not the fake one he's been wearing this whole life—eyes stinging with unshed tears and heart aching in a way that finally feels right.

"It's good to see you again, Emi," he says.