Chapter 7: Live A Little
"Why are we here again? Specifically, why am I here?"
"Because you two have been living under a rock and need to get out. You're going to turn into mushrooms! And it's so boring back there!" Toga explained, waving her arms as she danced with glee, taking in the sights while her two companions hardly reflected the excitement. Deku looked nervous, slightly withdrawn, while Tomura looked done as his tone easily reflected despite them being on scene for less than five minutes. While the girl was sporting a purple crop top with a three-quarter sleeved shirt under it along with a skirt and leggings, Deku wore a gray hoodie that was pulled over his face, completely obscuring his hair while Tomura, sporting a rather dingy black hoodie, slouched forward as if the weight of socializing was literally pressing on him.
"We were shanghaied. Hoodwinked. You got Kurogiri in on it, that's why he was so adamant we get out for a bit and warped us to this… this retail cesspool." Tomura countered, annoyed he had to forgo wearing "Father"' so as not to draw attention in public; Deku had tried to help negate the frustration by suggesting a medical mask rather than nothing which he stubbornly declined. Toga had infiltrated his territory successfully for almost a month now if not more and letting her see his face without it being his idea first made him itch and grind his teeth; not to mention he still was irritated over her attempt to "glam up" him while sleeping as she had later admitted.
"It's not that bad, Tomura-kun! Besides Kurogiri-kun just wants us to bond!"
"He's totally pissed about you swapping salt for sugar and ruining his favorite blend of tea. Not to mention you spoiling all those scones with that prank."
"Unfortunate unintended collateral. Rest in peace." Toga looked remorseful for a moment, mourning the loss of the baked goods rather than the disapproval of Kurogiri. Her expression then turned more serious, slightly appalled, "Besides, you two's lack of social know how and limited wardrobe is an outrage. We're here to rectify that and have some fun~ Maybe get some cute new outfits to boot~ Kurogiri-kun gave us plenty of money!"
"Should we really be out here though, at a mall?" Deku tentatively asked, nervously looking around as he noticed the fairly dense crowd. It was the weekend but he couldn't remember being in a place so crowded in years, then again he had never gone to a big mall such as this with his mom; strip malls and street vendors were more their circuit. The thought of home caused a dull ache but he pushed it down, focusing on his companions instead as he waited for an answer.
"School holiday for Vernal Equinox Day is coming up, so why not? Plus spring vacation is going to be starting soon so this place is going to be crawling with kids in the next few weeks!" Toga insisted before tilting her head and smiling, "Why, worried about being recognized, Dekkun? Got some fans I should worry about? Don't worry, I'll protect you~"
"Our place is all the way in Shibuya, squirt." Tomura cut in, a watchful eye on the younger boy, noticing the tensing at the tease. "Kurogiri, the sadist, warped us all the way here to Kiyashi so getting back will be a hell of an adventure since we can't just hail him. Gave us money but no means of communication."
"Aw, Tomura-kun you worried about our ride home?" Toga smiled before reaching into the cat faced purse she had over her shoulder, drawing out a phone, "I'm the one with the cellphone to call Kurogiri-kun, so I say when time's up! You're my shopping flunkies for now."
"Why do you have a cellphone and we don't?"
"Because I'm a responsible young lady. Besides I had one before I joined the League so Kurogiri-kun wasn't going to deny me~"
"What a laugh. You better not be texting people and posting about us online. There'll be no mercy if you expose the League—"
"Please, I'm fairly more sophisticated than you, especially when it comes to social media and its dos and don'ts, Tomura-kun." Toga rebuffed with a wave of her hand, as if shooing him away. She then braced herself, golden eyes glittering as both boys looked deceivingly resigned on either side of her, one boiling and the other wilting. "Now let's begin our day of fun and shopping at Wookiees~ It's not called a shopping mall for nothing!"
"You're a dictator, you know that?"
"You're just being a stick in the mud, mad this wasn't your idea. Don't be jelly!"
"As if!"
As the two squabbled, thankfully showing restraint perhaps because of the public eye, Deku let out a sigh. It was his first real outside venture since joining the League nearly three years ago, almost always staying around the hideout and usually only heading out with Kurogiri out of precaution. Precaution caused by nagging worry that somehow he would recognized by someone who knew him, the old him—Izuku Midoriya. Worry that somehow he would run into his mom and that was something he wasn't prepared for.
Sure this was nowhere near his hometown of Musutafu but it still gave him some anxiety, though he told himself he wasn't worth remembering. Even still he knew his mom had looked for him, that there had been posters; that had caused some guilt but she was better off without him… maybe he should have sent her a note to let her know he was fine in those early days but that could be almost worse, opening old wounds at this point… He had to move on, for her sake.
"I know how we can spice things up a bit!" Toga suddenly declared, grabbing Deku's arm with glee, startling him out of his melancholy with a jolt.
"What." Tomura drily responded, more of a reaction rather than a question, startled at the sudden deviation in topic.
"How about we have codenames?" She shook Deku's arm in excitement, jarring the boy as her energy seemed limitless, "You know, for fun! We get to have codenames in the League anyways, right~ For missions? Like real villains!"
"L-like what, Toga-chan?"
"I can be Beautiful!"
"Hard pass. Too unbelievable." Tomura shot down immediately, sneering at the apparent delusion, "How about Drop-Dead?"
"Only if 'gorgeous' follows that, Handsy. Oh! I can be 007, Dekkun did say I was spy material!" "Definite pass." Tomura reached up towards his neck, the itch growing stronger and gave a few scratches before pausing, "I know. For you how about something that rhymes with 'watch' and starts with a b?"
"Not very original, Facepalm. Well, Dekkun can be Dekkun!"
"Why not Broccoli?"
"Nooo, didn't you hear? Some kids in other countries hate broccoli! No one can hate Dekkun! Oh! How about Green Bean!? Beansprout!?"
"Uhhh… guys?"
"Why are your food ideas fine and mine isn't?"
"Um, how about Cheshire for you, Toga-chan?" Deku attempted to interrupt before he got compared to one more edible item, going through his memories for anything useful to serve as inspiration. "Like the Cheshire Cat in Alice in Wonderland. The grinning disappearing cat."
Toga gasped, letting go of his arm only to throw her arms around his neck and hug him in a near bear hug that almost cut off his air supply. "That is wonderful, Dekkun! Perfect!" She let out a giggle and proceeded to grin, sporting an indeed Cheshire-like smile. "I knew I could count on the brains of the operation!"
He let out a cough as she released him, smiling wearily at his seeming success. "Your welcome?"
"Great, now that Hissy Missy over here is satisfied can we move along?"
"Nuh uh! We're not done!" Toga wagged a finger at Tomura, putting her hands on her hips as she took a firm stance, "We still have to come up with ones for you two as we shop! Unless you want to be Deathgrip?"
"How is that any different than my actual name? It sticks out like a sore thumb."
"Well you're all about hands, so that totally fits you!"
"Ugh, you're insane you know that? Let's get this over with, forget the names."
"Fine, Donkey Kong."
"What?"
"Donkey Kong? You know, DK? You're a gamer, right? DK like 'decay,' huh? Huuuh~?"
"Literally stop talking before I lose anymore brain cells, I can barely stand being with you. And we've only just got here!"
Deku was about to speak up when he felt a bump against his leg, almost like a mini car crash that jarred his body; thankfully his strengthened core and legs kept him upright. He turned around to find a small child, perhaps four, had collided into him, blinking up at him in a seemingly dazed state. Unsure if they had hurt themselves or was merely in a state of processing what had happened and who they were looking at, he attempted a reassuring smile, "Hey you okay? Are you lost? Do you need to go to the service center to page your—"
The child's eyes suddenly widened with seeming realization, the glazed over look gone as their brain shifted into gear. Their mouth popped open, revealing multiple rows of sharp teeth, and in a near screech they shouted, "BABY SHARK! DO DO DO DO!"
Deku immediately jumped at the ear piercing yell, his eyes wide as he blinked, flabbergasted by the display. The child, undaunted, began jumping up and down, continuing to chant the same line twice in a loud voice before blinking and dashing off, earning various screams from other little kids nearby who echoed the chant, earning mixed looks of amusement and exasperation from their parents. Soon various chants of the apparent song were heard throughout the mall, the unchallenged lungs of children happily belting it out undaunted.
"What…?"
Deku blinked, turning toward his companions with a puzzled look, silently begging for an explanation. Toga was doubled over, laughing while Tomura was looking at him with an expression that was a mix of confusion and disgust.
"Welcome back to civilization." Toga managed through giggles, tears in her eyes as Deku continued to look perplexed, glancing back at where he'd last seen the child and then back at her unable to voice any questions."Degenerates. Bugged NPCS. " Tomura rasped in disgust, earning more laughter from Toga who was now wiping said tears from her eyes.
"Hehe, you two are such cavemen, come on!" She hooked her arm around Deku and began dragging him forward, giving Tomura a push to his back with her free hand, though he clearly dug in his heels. "No more dawdling! We're here on a mission and that mission is shopping!"
"No wait, what was that? What was that?" Deku demanded, almost shell shocked. His mind raced as he was dragged along, trying to deduce the reference he clearly was unfamiliar with. He swore once he got back to the hideout he would scour the internet to uncover whatever had slipped his know-how.
"No sweat, Dekkun. You're so cute, confused about memes."
"Memes?" Tomura made the mistake of echoing in a hollow but slight curious tone, earning more glee from Toga as she forced them forward with more urgency. Both of them reluctantly resigned as they marched into the bowels of the mall, Toga grinning like the cat that swallowed the canary as she pressed her mall rat flunkies onward, not about to let them escape.
"What are you going to get?" Toga popped up behind Deku's shoulder, peering at what he currently stood in front of. It had been nearly forty-five minutes since they had arrived at the mall and he still hadn't see anything he wanted. The mentality to bag and snag, get out ASAP, had failed him given he wasn't sure what exactly he was on the hunt for, Tomura doing the same as they seemed to bumble along like drowsy bees following their queen; not that the Tomura would ever tolerate such a comparison.
"I dunno... I mean I'm not really seeing anything jump out at me. I think the clothes I have already are fine..."
"Dekkun, treat yo self! Kurogiri-kun gave us the moolah! You don't have to blow it all but buy something, doesn't have to be clothes! If not for you then for someone else!" Toga smiled, pointing at herself and giggling. "Money well spent is on yourself and friends, right~?"
A thought stung him as he remembered the last thing he'd bought for someone with his own money; someone who was a complete abusive ingrate. "Y-yeah I guess..."
Toga gave him a rapid pat on the shoulder before skipping over to another aisle, calling, "Even if you find nothing here there are plenty of other stores! We're shopping till we're dropping! I want results!"
Deku heard a clear dry groan from another section and knew immediately it was Tomura. It was like a hostage situation but instead to go back home they needed something in hand, a purchase that clearly wasn't just for compliance as Toga had shot that attempt down already. This was a mission to survive. Survive and come out victorious from the apparent escapade.
The green haired boy sighed and turned toward one section of the store that screamed irony. Still he made his way over out of curiosity and partial habit from years before of browsing similar sections back in Musutafu, knowing if Tomura saw he'd be shooting daggers and twitching to use his Quirk on the abomination.
He stood in front of the blatant Pro Hero merchandise, scanning almost numbly. Most of it to no surprise was All Might; years ago Deku, Izuku, would have grabbed the nearest thing and begged for it to be added to his collection that was almost a shrine to the Number One Hero. Now he just felt a prickle of betrayal, disgust and disappointment as the one time he had seen his former favorite hero in person was as he infiltrated his home; the hero who had proceeded to beat down Sensei, the man who had reached out to a Quirkless nobody like him, on national television and then haul him away to be imprisoned in probably the worst and most secure prison in Japan.
He shifted his gaze, stomach dropping at the thought and looked over the other hero merch. Some Pro Heroes were clearly milking marketing, though that could easily be the main doing of the heroes' agencies for PR and extra income. He recognized most of the heroes, such as Endeavor, Fat Gum, Ryuku—ones he even did Quirk analysis on—but something caught his eye and he reached, grabbing the item of interest.
"Aw man."
Deku just about jumped, whirling toward the all too close voice as he startled out of his thoughts. He really needed to be on guard more, especially when in public. Who knew what villains were amongst the crowds and would recognize him from a video appearance to other League members? He blinked, feeling Amalgam Emanation buzz through his veins, his muscles tightening but thankfully no dark aura sparked from his hands.
A boy about his age was nearly next to him, a disappointed look on his face. He had red eyes and black hair that was a few inches short of being shoulder length. Deku noted a small diagonal scar above his right eye, just under his eyebrow.
"Well, fair enough it's the last one. You got it first."
"Oh, sorry, I was just looking." It took Deku a second to realize the boy was talking about the sweatshirt he currently held. He quickly handed its hanger to the boy who looked like a kicked puppy, unlike a certain explosive someone who would have bitten his head off for laying his eyes on the desired prize. "Here you go."
"What? Really?"
"Yeah."
"Wow, thanks dude! That's so manly of you! I'm a die hard fan."
"Oh, no problem. I didn't recognize the name and just wanted to see if the label said anything."
"What!?" The other boy nearly screamed, clutching the dark red sweatshirt with "RIOT" on the front. "You don't know who Crimson Riot is?"
"N-no?" Deku squeaked, startled, quickly looking to see if the loudness had drawn the attention of his companions. It didn't. Honestly he was glad, he felt stupid not putting it together given the visual pun of the clothing with its crimson color coupled with the key word. He could lie and say he was colorblind...
The boy abruptly let out a laugh, showing off jagged teeth that somehow did not make him look intimidating, "That's okay! There are so many Pros it's hard to keep track of them all. Plus Crimson Riot is old school. He's my favorite! Our Quirks are even the same! Well, similar enough."
"Oh, that's neat." Deku relaxed slightly, seeing the other was no threat, just rather extroverted. "It's always cool when someone you admire shares similar traits with you. It sorta feels like you yourself are out there, right? That maybe one day you can be like that too."
"Totally! Man, you get it dude! How about you? Do you have a favorite Pro?"
"Uh…" Deku balked, unprepared for the friendly and natural but ironic question. Sure there were those on both the hero and villain side who had someone they admired or were fascinated with in the opposite faction, but he at present wasn't sure. Easiest thing to do would be to say All Might, his childhood idol, yet he felt nauseous at the thought. Plus the other boy's earnest friendliness made him feel guilty at such a lie, not to mention seemed disrespectful to Sensei.
His gaze flickered to the side, scanning over the merchandise to ping his brain that was currently failing him despite all the hero stats he'd analyzed, "Gang Orca…?"
It wasn't a total lie, but it felt most appropriate given his situation; not that was to say anything bad about the Pro Hero. He simply seemed the most appropriate choice…
"Gang Orca! Now he's a man's man! Er, fish? I guess? Now that's a guy unfairly judged but he's an awesome hero!"
"A mammal actually… But yeah, he doesn't let others get him down. He still does his job despite the shallow criticism." Deku quickly latched onto the direction of the conversation, heaving a sigh of relief the other party embraced it. Quickly he began going over all he knew about the hero known as Gang Orc, refreshing himself so he could at least pass as a decent fan and not someone who studied heroes to expose weaknesses and create tactics to best combat them.
"Guess it goes to show you can be a big shot and people will still talk smack about you, how unmanly. Especially over something he can't control, something he was born with; and it's not like he does anything bad either! I heard he actually does charities for aquariums, offering free stuff for kids when he's there." The boy crossed his arms while still holding onto the seemingly forgotten sweater, looking thoughtful, "Though a lot of kids apparently avoid him because of his appearance, not being all fuzzy and cute, y'know?"
"Honestly as a kid I wouldn't have been bothered." Deku found himself admitting in truth as the conversation seemed to flow naturally, shrugging, "Even if kids get scared it's up to the parents to reinforce that fear or help them conqueror it. Seems like a lot of caution and coddling is the cause for the bad rap."
"Right? Ugh, it's so frustrating when someone isn't even been judged for their actual job. Appearances are everything but getting heat because of a physical mutation, that's low. Comparing him to a villain just because of that? Totally not cool, not manly at all."
"Haters going to hate, right?" Deku gave a little laugh, sneaking a glance to check the whereabouts of his two companions who either were still milling about, perhaps even watching him, or had ditched him.
"So true, just can't let the bullies win, am I right? By the way name's Kirishima." The dark haired boy stuck out his hand toward Deku, flashing a broad sharp-toothed grin. The latter reached out and took it automatically, shaking it as Kirishima beamed at him expectantly.
"I'm-" He began but halted, mind stalling as he debated about what name to give. Toga's idea about codenames seemed especially good at present as he felt himself sweat. Giving his current identity seemed too hazardous yet another one popped into his head, his mouth moving before his brain truly latched on to realize what he was about to say, "Mi-"
"Yo, Kirishima! You done yet?" A voice suddenly interrupted, drawing their attention toward the front of the store where a group of other kids stood, all of them probably primary students; a pink skinned girl with small yellow horns waved enthusiastically though she wasn't the speaker. Deku sucked in a breath, feeling relief wash over him as he bit down on the name he was about to say. Kirishima on the other hand didn't seem to notice, waving at his apparent friends.
"Yeah! Just a sec!" He turned toward Deku, smiling wider, placing one hand in a pocket while the other gripped the item of clothing. "Looks like I've got to get going. Thanks again for being so cool about this. I really appreciate it, man."
"No problem, like I said I was just curious and in the end I learned a bit."
"Right on, dude. You take care."
"You too, bye." The green haired boy waved at the other boy as he walked off, heading toward the checkout. As Kirishima got far enough out of sight he let his hand drop and heaved a heavy sigh, feeling his heart rate starting to go down. "Too close… nice guy but… I really need to get out more. What'd Toga-chan call us before? Socially inept?"
"Dekkun~"
He jumped as Toga's voice was right next to his ear, causing him to whirl around to find her grinning ear to ear watching him as if him muttering her name had summoned her. She really did have the stealth of a cat, eerily so. "T-Toga-chan! What is it?"
"Look what I found~" She pulled something out from behind her back, looking sly. "Ta da~"
Deku started at the almost obnoxious yellow shirt in her hands, reading the best he could the English on the shirt, straining to recall what Kurogiri was teaching him, "Fine...apple?" He blinked as he realized the shirt indeed reminded him of a pineapple, the pun slapping his lagging brain, causing him to let out a snort as it clicked, "What?"
"Oh come on, Dekkun! For you!" She grabbed his hand and pulled him over to a wall mirror, thrusting the shirt over his chest. "You're totally a pineapple!" Her grin widened as her gold eyes were glued on his hood over his head, quickly yanking it down to emphasis her point.
"Oh, my..." He swallowed the last part as he stared at his reflection, realizing he in fact did look like a human pineapple with his iconic green hair. "No, no. Toga-chan, that's so bad." He found himself flushing but beginning to laugh as well.
"You've seen nothing yet." Toga's grin turned almost wolfish as she cast a glance around before pulling out another shirt, "Feast your eyes."
Deku started at the presented black shirt while pulling his hood back on, his mouth moving as he slowly read the English on the shirt, noting small kanji underneath as feeble translation. Toga watched him, clearly devious as a look of realization came over him.
"I thought it'd be perfect for Tomura-kun." She grinned victoriously, giggling as she looked at the shirt proudly, taking in the words.
Hands On Me
"Oh, man. No. Nooo hah haha." He started laughing, covering his mouth to stifle himself as he knew curious eyes would roam his way. "How'd you even find that? It's perfect but so bad! Who makes this stuff?"
"Right, it's settled! For our resident Hand Man."
"I dunno... I mean his birthday is in a few weeks…"
"It is!?" Toga gasped, eyes wide before a look of determination came over her. "Perfect~ I can get Tomura-kun this as a gift! It'll be a blast."
"How about for yourself?"
Toga simply smiled wider and with flair whipped out a crimson crop top with white words, also a combo of English and kanji. Deku immediately realized what it said, recalling hearing the phrase in some British shows Kurogiri at times watched, which honestly explained some of the mist man's mannerisms.
Bloody Fantastic
He snorted, holding a hand over his mouth once more, "Okay, that is perfect for you."
"Of course it is." Toga grinned as she spun on the spot, clearly excited. "There is so much good stuff here I'm positively dizzy! Catch me if I fall, Dekkun!"
"You two done yet, Monotonous Duo? I'm going to go sit down if not." Tomura almost materialized from the shadows, apparently practicing his stalking and maintaining a low presence. In reality he has just been sulking near some racks. He scratched at his neck for a moment, "Meaningless sidequest."
"Oh!" Toga let out in delight, thrusting an almost fluorescent pink short sleeved shirt in Tomura's face, seemingly pulling a—hopefully—decoy shirt out of nowhere. "How about it? For you!" On the front was bold letters covered with sequins, reading "GLAM UP." Toga smiled as innocently as she could manage while Deku nearly choked on his own spit.
Tomura glared at the offending article of clothing, as if trying to set it ablaze with his eyes. He was visibly holding back, the sneer plain on his face as he deadpanned, "Thanks, I hate it."
Toga's innocent smile instantly turned victorious, letting out a giggle and before dashing off to the checkout counter. Deku coughed, trying to recover and hurriedly went to follow after her, determined to see if she would in fact buy the gaudy shirt, whether truly for Tomura or herself.
"Oh no you don't." Tomura's arm snaked around him in a near one-armed headlock, halting the green haired boy in his tracks. "Enough conspiring with that shrew. You're sticking with me."
"Making alliances, senpai?" He dared with an impish smile, perfectly calm as his foster brother's arm wrapped around him, noting his fingers were curled into a fist—avoiding possible contact. There was something oddly comforting in the gesture, a hint of restraint and concern despite the clear annoyance as the teen tried to establish some control. "I'm innocent by the way."
"Just claiming a hostage to act as a buffer. There's only one of you. High demand."
"Nice to know I'm worth something."
Tomura gave a grunt, his grip tightening slightly as Deku peered up at him, grinning. The older teen didn't spare a glance, keeping his gaze locked on where Toga had disappeared, probably debating on trying to ditch her at the mall despite her having the means to page their ride, so to speak. Deku tried not to laugh, feeling this was perhaps a typical day for others his age who weren't lurking in the shadows, his confidence growing.
It certainly was an eventual outing, an exciting day. One that was far from over, no matter how much Tomura seemed to wish it and Toga relished in it, leaving Deku to come along for the ride with a front row seat.
Sometimes it didn't hurt to just live a little and today was that day.