Midori The Girlfriend
Author's Note: I'd like to address the concern involving the sexual content. While I'm aware we're talking about underage kids I'd like to point out the fact that teen sex and pregnancy are true and realistic circumstances happening in society and I felt that with a young couple like Shoto and Izumi it would be a topic of discussion, particularly since they're reaching a point in their studies that is crucial in their careers as future heroes. This is an M rated fic because I'd fully intended on pushing some "uncomfortable" topics and scenarios. You all have been warned, and hope you will give the fic a chance to fully develop. Thank you for your concerns and comments! Enjoy the chapter!
Chapter 7: Gran Torino
Izumi sighed as she walked down the street towards the address All Might had given her. She wasn't entirely sure what this was all about, but All Might never sent her someplace that wasn't important.
~Flash Back~
Izumi watched as Iida left on his train, her heart still uneasy about his situation and wondered if there had been more she could have said, more she could have done to give him comfort. Nothing seemed to be enough… not when she saw that sorrowed look in his eyes.
"Little Midori!"
The sound of her name snapped her back to the roaring station around her, and she watched All Might rush up panting a bit. He was sweating through his three piece suit and carrying a large plastic bag.
"All Might? What's wrong?"
"I need a favor…" He pulled her along and away from Todoroki who eyed them with some suspicion. "I need you to make a stop on your way to Endeavor's agency."
"Huh? Why?" She let out an oof when he handed her the bag and she peered inside, her brow twitching. "Taiyaki?"
"They're for my former teacher, Gran Torino. He was a friend of my predecessor and was my homeroom teacher at UA for a full year before he retired." All Might visibly shook and his voice cracked some as he tried to remain powerful in the busy arena. "He's asked to meet you, but I can't get away for the moment to take you to him. His home is a direct stop towards Endeavor's Agency." He held out a ticket and directions. "Here, use these."
"All Might, I don't think Endeavor will be very happy with me making-"
"He knows about One for All."
"Gran Torino!?" Her eyes blinked in wide eyed surprise. "Is that why he wants to meet me?"
"Yes, He saw your performance at the Sports Festival and wishes to speak with you." He swallowed hard and slapped his hands on his thighs to try to keep them from trembling. "I…I...I don't know what he'll say but… it's worth a visit. I'll call Endeavor and inform him of your delay."
~End of Flashback~
Izumi had to hold in a shudder. If this guy was scary enough to frighten All Might, she wondered just what kind of lecture she'd receive. Despite doing well in the prelims she was aware her performance was lackluster… and if he knew about One For All, she wa sure what he wanted to do was criticize and measure up All Might's protege'.
When she finally found the agency with the right address Izumi wasn't sure she'd found the right place. The outside of his agency didn't promise much. From what All Might had told her she'd expected some kind of tyrant living in an intimidating threshold. INstead what she saw was a run down walk up, with broken windows, piled up newspapers, and a broken gate being the only thing preventing invaders from wandering on the property.
"What a dump…" She grimaced. Her cell went off and she picked it up answering. "Shoto? Yeah I just made it… I'll drop the Taiyaki off then take a cab to meet you." Izumi spoke over the phone even as she lifted a hand to knock on the door. "I called your dad bu- hold on… the door's open." She peeked in the creaking door and pulled the cell from her ear. "Hello? Gran Torino? Pardon the intrusion..." She opened the door fully, she'd lifted the phone to her ear again to tell Shoto she'd call him back… but then saw the figure on the floor.
A short elderly man was sprawled out over a pool of oozing red fluid and what appeared to be intestines oozing out of his belly. Izumi's face went pale then blue and she screamed bloody murder into the phone.
"IZUMI!? WHAT HAPPENED!?" Shoto shoted on the other side of the phone
"He's Dead!" She screamed again wailing. Her breath hitched as Gran Torino's head popped up, his elderly face covered in a black mask.
"Nope, I'm alive."
"KYA! HE'S ALIVE!" She screamed in correction and shuddered. "I'll… call you back." She hung up and fell to her knees from the fright. She looked at the scene around her, the red liquid was a bottle of ketchup that had been broken over a plate of the sausages she'd mistaken for intestines.
"Sorry for the scare…" Gran Torino dusted himself off, his body shaking and leaning on his cane. Izumi sat upright on her knees, and was still taller than this guy. "I'd been making myself lunch, then look what happened."
"It's… okay." She slowly stood up collecting the Taiyaki and her case with her newly restored costume in it. "I'm just glad you're not dead." She laughed and held her chest. "You gave me a fright."
"Who are you?" He asked in an innocent and elderly voice.
"Hmm? Oh! Forgive me!" She bowed to him. "My name is Izumi Midoriya, All Might sent me to deliver this to you." She held out the Taiyaki to him and his elderly eyes went glittery behind the mask.
"Ah! Taiyaki! I love sweets! Come, come, let's have some…" he paused and blinked. "Who are you?"
"Uh… Izumi, Izumi Midoriya… um, Mr. Gran Torino I don't have much time I'm afraid. I'm on my way to my internship." She watched him close the door and then take the box of Taiyaki to his microwave.
"Ah internship, with… who was it again?" Gran Torino tapped his chin.
"Endeavor…" Izumi's brow twitched in annoyance. She flipped out her phone. "I better call him and-" She jumped for the second time today as he phone and case were yanked out of her hands by a speeding yellow blur. Her eyes blinked in surprise and she looked to her left where Gran Torino was going through her gear.
"Ah, Hey! Please don't go through that!"
"This is a costume, why don't you put it on, and show me your skill…" he slowly turned his head his grin sly. "Miss One for All-san."
Izumi blinked in confusion at first, but then her smile came slow and understanding. He wanted to see what she could do, up close and personal. "You sure? I still have some control issues I'm dealing with, and this is a small space."
"My my you're such a chatterbox…" He bounced and zipped around her, her eyes darting around and she shifted her stance to avoid being hit but still still felt a sting on the back of her head where he'd whack her as he zipped by. "Come at me!" He called from above now braced above the door. "You Zygote."
Izumi's eyes sparkled with admiration, this was All Might's teacher, they even used the same lingo. Her heart danced with excitement and she smirked. "With pleasure!"
~In Tokyo~
Bakugo shook with annoyance as Best Jeanist lectured him. He'd chosen this agency because he was the only one of the top five heroes who'd placed a request for him. He realized with great disdain he'd come to the wrong place to learn what it meant to be the best. The only thing that Best Jeanist and his side kicks seemed to do was groom themselves.
"Villains and Heroes are two sides of the same coin. I'll show you those glaring eyes of yours."
Still… what he said had struck a chord. Glaring eyes… Staring himself in the mirror he looked at his face and grunted. He was annoyed, that much was true, but he'd been given that same villain lecture before by not only his teachers but his friends as well. Just what was it about him that made people believe he was more villain material?
"Admiring your new haircut?" Best Jeanist asked walking up behind him. He'd managed to tame Bakugo's wild spikes into a smooth side part that better served his princely looks… now if only he could get the kid to smile more naturally, and coolly then he may just pass as a hero.
"Shut up, it won't stay that way for long, believe me." Bakugo shook with annoyance. "I've a question for you, jean face." He turned around and pointed to his face. "What is it about me that people mistake as villainous?"
"If you don't already know, then we've more work then we thought. Let's try an exercise." Jeanist turned him back around and made him stare into the mirror. "Try thinking of something you like doing. Something that gives you joy."
Bakugo's lips curled in a wicked grin. "I enjoy beating up those that deserve it." He got a whack on the head for that.
"Try again… but this time instead of something you enjoy doing… think of someone you like." Jeanist crossed his arms. Bakugo's face softened just enough to have his brow raising. There was a pale realization there before annoyance and bitterness caused Bakugo's muscles to tense. "I don't suppose you have a girlfriend, do you?"
"I used to…" Bakugo grumbled at that averting his eyes from the mirror.
"Used to… did she dump you? Ah! So she did." He answered his own question when irritation flickered. "Why do you think that is?"
"Because that good for nothing girlfriend snatching asshole filled her head with romance and stuff…" He knew damn well why Izumi had broken up with him. She'd told him as much in plain speaking… but he'd apologized damn it, so why had she jumped into Todoroki's arms when she clearly still had feelings for him?
"I see… from what I'm understanding she dumped you for a guy who gave her what she wanted. Gave her affection, romance, perhaps even love?"
"I gave her affection, and romance, and I love her, but she's still with him! So tell me what I'm doing wrong, if you're so damn smart!" Bakugo blew up, his teeth snarling. Best Jeanist grabbed his chin and jerked Bakugo's head to look back in the mirror.
"See that? Look at that face… study it. Do you think that's the face a pretty girl wants to see? A girl's heart is fragile and easily broken. It takes trust and this is a face that breaks hearts and promises." He let go of Bakugo's chin. "I'll let that stew in you for now. Tomorrow we'll start patrol, in the meantime work on managing a smile." He pat Bakugo's shoulders and walked off.
Bakugo stood in front of the mirror a long time, staring into his face, and imagining Izumi smiling back at him.
~Gran Torino~
Izumi had beamed over the new costume design. The support course had taken liberties, but these ones she approved of. The material was lighter, and more durable, the gloves fit snugly so they weren't as easily lost and instead of a leotard with exposed thighs, she got a skin tight jump suit that hugged every curve, and had the same hood design as last and the mouth guard that fastened on her neck. The belt hung low on her hips and they'd put in some bare essential first aid bits, a flashlight, a pocket for emergency cash, as well as a place to put her cellphone.
It was easy to move around in two, she felt so light and free as she powered up one for all and ducked and dodged to avoid Gran Torino's attacks. The hair she'd pulled up in a tail flicked around like a whip and her eyes stayed focused and clear despite the fact they'd been at this a good ten minutes already.
She'd surprised him the first time, Gran Torino thought even as he bounced around. She'd caught onto his movements, realized that she was the slower competitor and made motions to make him stop moving in order to land a solid hit. Endeavor had done his part in the training because her strength had increased since he'd watched her at the Sports Festival. Her punches and movements caused small sonic waves that knocked over furniture, and splintered wood and granite.
Still he managed to smack her firm against the face and had her falling onto her back wincing.
"That's enough for now… whew…" He was getting old. That small little bout had tired him, and her youth would have eventually won out over him. She was young, vibrant, attentive and smart. Toshinori had chosen well.
"Alright…" Izumi pouted and rubbed her cheek where he'd gotten her. She looked at the time and squeaked. "Shoot! Is it that late already!? I better call Shoto!" She scrambled to find her phone and picked it up off the floor.
"Shoto Todoroki?" Gran Torino huffed. "Now's not the time for you to call your boyfriend."
"I'm sorry… it was a pleasure meeting you, Gran Torino but I really do have to go." She bowed apologetically. "Endeavor is waiting for me and I'm already very late."
"I suppose you're right. We'll take the Taiyaki with us." Gran Torino said smoothly picking up his box.
"Huh? You're coming with me?" She blinked in confusion.
"Of course, I have a bone to pick with Endeavor… but that story can wait til we get there." He collected his bag of goods and Izumi dialed Shoto's cell.
"Izumi! What's going on, what happened?" Shoto immediately spoke his voice concerned and a bit panicked.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to delay the call so long. Gran Torino is fine, it was a misunderstanding." She flustered remembering she'd hung up after screaming in his ear. "I'm on my way out now."
"Alright… and actually take a cab to Hosu City… I'll text you the address to the hotel."
"Hosu? Isn't your dad's agency in Tokyo?"
"It is, but the old man wants us to work in Hosu. I'll give you more details when I see you.
"Alright, I'll call you when I reach the hotel." She hung up and with some reluctance changed out of her costume and back into her school uniform. Gran Torino walked out with her and hailed a cab, she sat beside him her eyes out the window.
Hosu… that was the same city Iida was doing his internship in. The same city in which the Hero Killer had nearly killed Iida's brother Ingenium. She pulled out her phone, scrolling through google on information on the attack and the Hero Killer.
What she found chilled her down to the bone. His list of kills were a mile long, the pictures, and descriptions of his kills made her want to lose her lunch. His picture alone was enough to have her shuddering. The wild mane of black hair, the blood stained clothes, the tattered eye mask, and punk piercings were all signs of a typical street villain… but it was the eyes she feared. Those insidious blood red eyes were the eyes of a killer.
When they arrived at the hotel Shoto was already outside waiting, He'd removed his uniform and stood in street clothes out front and waved her in. "Izumi... took you long enough." He eyed the short man beside her. "Who's this?"
"Hmm? Oh, my apologies, Gran Torino this is my partner Shoto Todoroki, Shoto this is Gran Torino. He's a former teacher at UA."
"Never heard of him…" Shoto narrowed his eyes. "What's he doing here?"
"He insisted on coming and speaking with your dad." She rubbed the back of her head. "I didn't really see any reason to say no. I tried calling your father but he's not answering his cellphone."
"The Old Man's making arrangements at one of the other agencies. I'm supposed to take you up to our room."
"Our room?" Izumi's brow twitched a bit. "We're sharing one?"
"Yes… and before you get that look in your eye, there's two separate beds. No need to get your back-up, Izumi."
"Your dad doesn't seem to notice nor care about ethics in these kinds of arrangements. I'll leave it alone since I'm tired and I want to do some research before turning in." She looked down at Gran Torino. "Gra- where'd he go?" She looked around to find he wasn't there and spotted him making arrangements for his stay at the hotel. "Oh boy… why do I get the feeling he's here for more than just a pep talk with Endeavor?"
"That's the old man's problem, now. Come on." He took her hand and walked with her to the elevator. They go up to one of the top floors and his key opened a suite.
"Whoa… pretty snazzy for just a school internship." Izumi ran to the window to look out at the city lights. "Hosu is pretty small in comparison to other parts of the city, but you gotta admire a view like this. It's like the ground is littered with stars."
"You know," Shoto walked up beside her to admire the view as well. "It's hard to tell when you're fighting, but… you really are a girly person aren't you, Izumi?"
"Geh…" She looked up at him with a pout. "What about it?"
"How come you didn't take your internship with Uwabami?" He held up his hand before she could speak. "I know why you accepted the old man's… but Uwabami is just as popular, even if it is for a different reason. You could have learned a lot from her."
"No, I really wouldn't." Izumi looked back at the city. "I like girly things, sure… I'm a girl, it's natural. It's just… when I picture myself as a hero, I don't see myself doing what a lot of female heroes do. Uwabami, Mt. Lady, Midnight… they all rely heavily on sex appeal and appearance for their popularity. That's not what I want."
"What do you want, Izumi?"
She touched her heart, her eyes closing as she pictured the first time using One for All. It had been painful sure, but the rush of adrenaline, the thrill of fighting against something that sought to destroy… saving someone with her own power.
"I want to be the kind of hero that saves people. I want to be recognized as someone who would do whatever they could to make sure the world stayed safe, and bring justice and peace."
"So…" his lips slowly curve. "You want to be All Might?"
"Like him, yes… but my own person." She lifted her eyes up, the city lights glittering in them. "I realized when I watched him fight at USJ that I want to be more than just his legacy. I want to do more than just carry on his message and memory." She fisted her hands. "I want to be better than him… I want to be on top!"
Shoto's smile grew, he turned her to face him, and bowed his head to press his lips to her forehead.
"That's rather ambitious, Izumi. You're gonna have a hard time getting there since you have more than just All Might to compete with."
She closed her eyes at the contact then tilted her head up giving him a challenging smile.
"I know… you and Kacchan and every aspiring hero is looking to do the same. If there's one thing Kacchan has taught me in all the years we've been friends, it's that you can't ever give up, because the moment you do, that's when you lose."
Shoto stared, unable to look away from her face. The moment she'd stepped into his life she'd had him by the throat. Everytime he looked at her, talked with her, touched her… he could barely breathe.
He knew Bakugo had feelings for her, but it was difficult to imagine him feeling this very same breathless emotion. Maybe that was why he and Bakugo could never get along and why they fought every time they saw each other. Shoto just couldn't see him loving her as much as he did.
"Maybe… I should hcange rooms after all."
"Hmm?" Her eyes innocent Izumi cocked her head to the side in a confused motion. "Why?"
"Because I feel like kissing you, and you wanted to remain professional while we were here. Being here alone with you… it's distracting."
"You know…" Izumi's lips curved in an almost feline smile. "You used to be so focused and driven, but you've lost your edge Todoroki-kun." She used his last name more to tease and saw the irritation from it.
"If I have, it's your fault."
"I've tamed you…" Izumi let out an exaggerated sigh. "I'm so ashamed. Bad Izumi!" She gently smacked her own cheek.
"You little-" Shoto's temple throbbed, and he knew when he was being baited, and he didn't care. He made a grab for her but she giggled and spun out of his hold, running around the room, jumping over furniture ducking under his arms and leaping out of the way. He finally snagged her across the waist and pinned her onto the bed. His fingers immediately went to work.
He tickled her.
"GAH! AHAHAHAHAHA! STOP AHAHAHA STOP I CAN'T HAHAHAHA!"
"Who's taming who now?" Shoto said with a sinister gleam. "Say you surrender!"
"Nev- HAHAHAHA… NEVER!" She squealed in her laughter wriggling under him til they were both panting. The door suddenly swung open and both teenagers stopped, blinked in each other's wide eyes and immediately parted to either side of the bed. Endeavor and Gran Torino walked in eying the two disheveled, flustered, and panting teens.
"I'm not even gonna ask." Endeavor grunted. "I've spoken with Gran Torino here… tomorrow we will go through basic training in the hotel gym, and then go on your first patrol. I suggest you both act like professionals because you'll be representing me and my agency."
"Yessir!" Izumi answered while Shoto just nodded in acknowledgement.
"This city is the location of Hero Killer's last victim. Things have been quiet according to the other heroes, but Hero Killer has a pattern. He's sure to strike again." He holds up packets with the information and tossed them on the table. "Do your research, and be up bright and early."
"I will be joining you in your search," Gran Torino spoke in his serious tone. "I've an interest in you Midoriya, and I will be supervising your development as a request from Toshinori."
"From All Might?" Izumi's eyes widened. So, that's why he'd sent her there. It was just like All Might to have a sneaky plan in the works.
"When I tested you before, you already knew how to use your quirk well… but your mind is cluttered." He raised his cane pressing it on her forehead making her wince. "Keep your focus, that's my first word of advice."
"Yessir!" Izumi rubbed the spot on her forehead then bowed graciously.
"As for you, Shoto," Endeavor spoke. "You too know how to handle your quirk well, but you rely too heavily on it. I've chosen Midoriya because I believe her pairing with you will be beneficial to you learning how to be more creative in your thought process as well as learning to work as a team."
His eyes narrowed a bit at their appearance and he sighed heavily.
"However, don't let your feelings for each other be a distraction. As the old man says, stay focused, and there will be no limit to your possibilities."
"Got it…" Shoto said simply staring his old man down.
"That's all… read your packets and turn in. No funny business." He walked out and Gran Torino shook his head muttering something about lack of ethics and teenage angst. Izumi let out a long sigh of relief and glanced at Shoto who picked up the packet.
"That was nerve wracking…"
"Hero Killer…" Shoto narrowed his eyes as he flipped through the pages. "I doubt any of our other classmates are handling something this big."
"No," Izumi agreed picking up her own packet. She thought of Iida, and her gut twisted, "but I wonder if that's really a good thing."
~Ask Briry~
Briry: I've made the executive decision to finalize the third fic. Midori the Girlfriend will end shortly after finals and the third will be in the future where Izumi and the gang are full fledged heros with some added flashbacks to their school days. Who is Izumi ending up with? Well, guess what? You all get to help me decide. I've got the basic premise for the story so I just need to choose her mate. You have until the end of the fic to cast your votes and I'm allowing multiple votes but only one per review. So who will you choose?
BakuDeku?
-Or-
Tododeku?
I will allow votes for other pairings for… outside purposes... but I would prefer you stick to the main pairings to keep the flow. When I say other pairings I don't just mean with Izumi, you can vote, for example… BakuRaka, and TodoRozu. Get creative!
Next Chapter: Hero Killer!?