Midori the Girlfriend
Author's Note: We're getting close to the finale of this fic. I'd like to thank everyone who is voting and reviewing and encourage you guys to keep voting for your favorites.
Chapter 12: Preparing for Finals
"Thanks for Saving Me! Congratulations, little Midori!" He put the ribbon over her head. "Your hard work and training has paid off. It got a little close there in the end but you managed to stay focus on your objective."
"Nice job, Midoriya!" Sero put a hand on her shoulder. "You took me completely by surprise."
"Well you certainly set the bar high Sero, literally." She grinned. "You gave me a run for my money. I almost slipped there at the end too because I knew you were gaining fast behind e." She rubbed the back of her head laughing. "I gotta remember to watch my footing in a place like this."
She lifted up the sash and admired it with a big smile. Her first day back and already she accomplished a first place win. All she had to do was keep her focus and she could accomplish even more. Gran Torino's advice that she clear the air, and avoid the romantic entanglements had been the best route after all.
"Come see me after class," All Might spoke to her suddenly bringing her attention to him. "There are things we must discuss in great detail."
His tone had her nerves on edge. As she watched her classmates go through the rescue race exercise she wondered just what it was he wanted to talk about. There apparently was more than one thing on his mind, and it had set his face into harsh lines.
After class she sat across from him in their usual meet up. He poured her a cup of tea, and had a stack of folders set off to the side. She wondered if she was gonna get a lecture, or if those were just papers he was grading.
"I've seen Endeavor's interview." He started and immediately had her back going rigid. "He spoke very highly of you, which pleases me, but this fiancee business has left me a bit flustered."
"I can explain…" She began but he held up a hand to stop her.
"No, it's okay. Young Todoroki told me of his feelings that day at the Sports Festival. I should have seen this coming."
"All Might, I'm-"
"Let me get this out. While you may not be my biological daughter, we do share a kinship. I've given you my gift, and it's up to you who you share that secret with. Just know that this is an important decision and I will support you no matter what."
Izumi couldn't help but smile at that.
"Thank you, but-"
"That being said," he interrupted again and reached for the folders. "There's more decisions to be made."
"Hmmm?" Izumi blinked and then blushed as he opened multiple folders, all with wedding plans inside. "GEH!"
"What colors were you thinking of? If you go with a spring wedding I'm thinking this lovely mint green would be perfect… ah I'll need to speak with your mother about budget, I have quite a bit of savings from hero work and I'd be more than happy to pitch in for-"
"All Might I'm not getting married!" She stood up flustered and dizzy from all the effort and thought he'd put into his presentation.
"Of course not right away, but graduation is in three years and it doesn't hurt to plan these things ahead."
"I mean at all! Good Grief," Izumi covered her red face groaning. "I really am gonna kill him."
~A few minutes later~
All Might listened to her explanation, part of him was relieved and the other a little sad he wouldn't get to use his notes and imput on her wedding affairs. "I see so he broke thing s off with you to give you a chance to think things through."
"That's what he told me, but truthfullly I think there's more to it than that." She sighed and ran fingers through her hair. Why was it whenever she talked about this she felt like crying. Enough was enough, Izumi, suck it up! "I've decided not to worry about it. It was his decision to give me the freedom to make my own choice… and my choice is to work on my goal and succeed you."
All Might smiled and then his face quickly turned grim. Her determination just then reminded him of the second business. "I'm relieved to hear you say that… but there are other things you should know." He folded his hands, eyes sharpening on her face, and told her the history of One for All and its creator All for One
~Yavin Cafe: After School~
"Are you serious!? Midori and Todoroki had sex?" Uraraka went wide eyed. "How do you know?"
"The bastard told me." Bakugo lounged back in the heat of the coffee shop and wondered why he'd agreed to go have coffee with round face. Perhaps it was because he needed to rant, and Uraraka had offered up a sympathetic ear.
"Whoa… so their relationship got that serious. No wonder Midori was upset."
"It's her own damn fault for giving it up." He slurrped down his drink and nearly cracked the glass as he slammed it down. "Anyway she seems to be recovered from it now. She's rising up to the top of the class."
"Why do you not seem at all thrilled by that?" Uraraka smiled coyly making him grunt.
"I didn't see it coming."
"Hmmm?"
"Because of the festival I started taking notice of everyone in class. What their quirks were, how they used them, what weaknesses they had. When you're unaware of who you're competing against that's when they become the most dangerous. You and Bird boy for example. I didn't know that you using your quirk on yourself was hard on your body, I was prepared for you to use your quirk fully against me, but not in the way you made me believe. I expected you to lighten yourself, make yourself faster and able to dodge, but you kept attacking normally and it was throwing me off, and your sky attack would have surely done the job if I hadn't had the fire power to extinguish it. As for Bird Boy I lucked out on him. I just happened to have a quirk he was weak against, and immediately took notice of it and used it to my advantage."
"I see… you know something Bakugo-kun." She leaned in smiling brilliantly. "You're amazing."
"Huh?"
"You've a big ego, but there's talent and smarts to back it up. You've a drive that encourages others. I know Midori has learned a lot from you and you keep her motivated to do her best."
"Too much…" Bakugo grunted. "Of all the people in class I should have paying more attention to her. That's why I didn't see this strength of hers coming, I didn't even acknowledge it."
"You're right." Uraraka stood up and shouldered her purse. "You should have, and because you didn't pay attention it's the reason you lost. I better go, thanks for coming out with me. I'll see you tomorrow Bakugo-kun." She walked off and left him with his troubling thoughts.
~Dagoba Beach: Evening~
All for one…
A single man capable of absorbing any quirk and making it his own, and who could give out quirks to others. A man who had given All Might the burdening scars he now carried and was said to be the one responsible for the League of Villains.
The Nomus were beasts created by All for One using his quirk, and it was clear his sole purpose was in defeating and Killing All Might. After that…. What was the manipulator planning? How did Shigaraki Tomura and the league of villains fit into all this?
Izumi ran across the beach in her crop top and leggings, her eyes focused ahead of her, and mind buzzing with the information. Along with all this new information about her quirk, he'd also passed on a new task and burden to her.
"One for All is in essence a quirk designed to defeat All for one. I had hoped I finally finished him off that day… but it would seem you may have to take on this oppressing evil one day."
"I'll do my best!" She'd told him. "So long as I have you to guide me I feel I can do anything!"
"...Thank You."
All Might had looked so aggrieved and worried. The man had supported her and guided her through everything, had brought her down the path that was making it possible for her to achieve her dreams. She couldn't let him down!
She was so focused on her thoughts, she nearly ran face first into Shoto.
"Distracted much?" He took her by the shoulders to keep her from tipping over.
"Only by you…" she wiped sweat from her face. "What are you doing here?"
"I went to your apartment to drop off the rest of your stuff, and your mom said you would be down here." He removed his jacket and slipped it over her shoulders. The sight of her so exposed wasn't helping his cause. "You really should wear a tracksuit, you'll catch your death out here."
"Thanks for the advice, daddy." Still she tucked her arms through it and the scent of it and him left a pang in her belly. "Is there something you wanted to talk about?"
"For starters, I thought I should mention I told Bakugo everything."
"I had a feeling you talk to-" she paused. "Wait…. Everything, everything?"
"Yes, he turned and matched her pace to walk the rest of the way down the beach. "I hadn't meant to, but it all came out."
"That explains his behavior, Kacchan wouldn't even look at me when we left class. Guess he's pissed off. Doesn't help he already has a grudge against you from the Sports Festival."
"You as well, you're starting to show off your power, Izumi, and it's intimidating."
"Kacchan respects my strength."
"Does he?" Shoto frowned. "He thinks you're capable, sure, but never enough to really challenge him. He's put himself on a high pedestal and you're threatening to dethrone him."
"Kacchan supported me during the Sports Festival, he even told me to make him work for it, WHICH I did." Izumi pointed out.
"He tolerated it then because you two were dating. Now that you're unattached do you really think he's just gonna quietly support you? You're his rival Izumi, and he's starting to realize that."
"Did you come here just to upset me because you're doing a pretty damn good job of it." She pried off his jacket and shoved it at him to run off but he snagged her hand.
"No wait… I'm sorry. That's not what I cam here to do." He pulled her back and hugged her to him.
"Let go of me, Todoroki, I'm seriously pissed off right now." She wriggled in his grip.
"Just because I broke up with you, I'm back to Todoroki?" He buried his face in her hair shutting his eyes as he let himself just breathe her in. "Call me Shoto…"
"No…" she struggled harder, beating her fist on him but couldn't get enough momentum to really hurt him.
"Please…" He held her firm and nuzzled into her temple so his mouth was by her ear. "Izumi."
"Don't… please don't." Her eyes went teary. "That's seriously not fair."
"I know...I love you Izumi."
"Jerk!" She shoved back and punched him over and over til she crumbled and shook letting him hold her again. "You lying Jerk! If you love me than why did you…"
"Because I don't want to be the reason you aren't a hero. Because I know I made things difficult for you when i competed Bakugo for your heart, and because I'm selfish enough to want you to miss me."
"Baka…" tears spilled down her cheeks. "I don't miss you at all... I don't" She buried her face in his chest and cried from the sting of her own lie.
~Several days later Class 1A~
Finals were approaching, and Aizawa made sure to emphasize the importance of studying for the written exams as well as training their bodies for the practical.
"The written test is just a combination of what we've learned in class, so I should be able to manage there." Izumi munched on her Bento, Iida beside her, and Todoroki after him. Uraraka, Tsuyu, and Hagure on the opposite side and gave her narrowed looks at her word "Managed." Out of the twenty students in class Izumi ranked fourth in the Midterms, behind Yao, Iida, and Bakugo.
"Manage, huh?" Uraraka pouted between her chopsticks.
"As for the practical, if we take all that we've learned in hero basic training it's a combination of Rescue, Battle, and OUCH!"
"Whoops, sorry about that." Monoma from class B stood behind her his eyes glaring down. "Ah, I heard you three were the ones who went up against the Hero Killer. As always Class A is getting all the attention but it's not because people have faith in you…" his eyes glazed over in a threatening manner. "First you're attacked at USJ and then you face the Hero killer… soon you'll drag others into the danger with you and curse us all."
Izumi glared and she stood up facing him.
"Excuse me?"
"Ignore him, Izumi." Todoroki told her. "He's just giving off steam."
"Well if it isn't Endeavor's boy, rising up to defend his lady." He scoffed. "So high and mighty… all that publicity over a stupid kiss." He set his tray on Izumi's now empty seat and took a piece of her hair leaning in. "I wonder what sort of gossip I'd get for kissing the school slu-cough!" Monoma's eyes rolled up when Kendo chopped him on the back of the neck and grabbed him by the scruff of his shirt.
"Thanks for that," Izumi said, feeling a bit green from having Monoma paw at her.
"Don't mention it," Kendo offered a sympathetic smile and picked up Monoma's tray as well. "This guy's heart is a bit warped yah know. I'm sorry about what he said before too Iida. I know ou went through a rough time so don't let what this guy says bother you ok?"
"Don't worry, Kendo-san. I try not to take anything he says to heart."
"Oh, also for the final exam, I heard it's gonna be fighting robots like in the entrance exam."
"Really? Where did you hear this from?" Izumi asked blinking.
"Oh, an upperclassman friend told me. It's kind of cheating though."
"No it's not! I see… so gathering information is part of the test too, I should have asked an upper classman about it. Hmmm and if it's robots we're dealing with is it just battle practice or is there gonna be more to it then that?" She muttered over and over as she went over the possibilities.
Ashido and Kaminari had been happy with the news that they'd be facing against robots. Their quirks were good against machinery but difficult to control when facing against live opponents. Now that they were all under the assumption that they'd be facing foe villains, the two of them could let loose.
"It doesn't matter if they're robots or humans, what the hell are you two going on about that it's gonna be a cinch. You're a couple of idiots" Pissed off at their carefree nature Bakugo snapped at them.
"Who the hell are you calling an idi-" Kaminari started to counter but Bakugo blew up at him.
"Shut up! If you need to control your quirk, then control it, you idiot!" Bakugo turned his eyes to Izumi who had been watching the scene. "Isn't that right, Usagi?"
"Huh?" Izumi's eyes met his and she stood when he started towards her, glaring at her. Something in the way he looked reminded her too much of when they went head to head the first time.
"You took training from Endeavor not just for the internship but the weeks leading up to it. You went so far as to live with the guy for weeks. It's time we saw the fruit of that training!" He reached out taking her chin in his hand. "I won't let you beat me, but I don't need another half assed result like in the Sports Festival. At the upcoming final exams we'll each get individual scores. I'm going to beat you with an indisputable difference! The same goes for you Todoroki!" He turned those glaring eyes up at Shoto who had stood when Bakugo placed his hand on her. "I'll kill you both."
~Ask Briry~
Briry: Hey guys! So I know things are coming to a close soon, this is probably one of my shortest fics and originally I was just gonna make this and Midori the Rabbit one big fic, but I felt with the way it flowed separating them would be much better. I've already got the first chapter of the new fic prepped, I have two versions, one for BakuDeku, the other for TodoDeku…. And SURPRISE! I'll be releasing them both, but I still want you guys to continue voting because whichever ship wins will be released and worked on first.
As Promised I've got questions… the first is from JockoRivera "All Might, How do you feel that two boys are romantically interested in your young protege?"
All Might: "As their teacher I have to say I wish they'd concentrate more on their studies, but as Izumi's surrogate father and her mentor I can't fault them for their tastes. Izumi is an amazing young woman and I know she'll choose well… Still it's always a pang for a father to let his daughter grow up and break away. *Sniff* They grow up so fast… seems like only yesterday she-"
Izumi: *Blue Faced* "You had to get him started…. There there Papa…" *Pats All Might's back.*
Briry: Awww so cute! Let's see second question is for Shouto, Bakugo, and All Might "If you were to do pair costumes with Izumi, what would you do? For Shouto and Bakugo, it's obviously couple costumes, while with All Might, it's father/daughter."
Bakugo: Pair costumes… *temple throbs as he thinks of Hatsume from Sports Festival* We don't need anything stupid like that… If I want people to know we're a couple I'd just put my- *gets punched by Izumi*
Izumi: Kacchan! Keep that to yourself!
Briry: Hmmm? I wanna know…
Izumi: No… you don't *shakes with fury and embarrassment* believe me you don't.
Briry: Aww, okay… Todoroki?
Todoroki: Pair Costume… *Thinks about it* Our styles are different, but a shared symbol on our actual costumes would be good.
Briry: Interesting… what kind of a symbol *takes notes for future reference*
Todoroki: Something personal to symbolize our connection and bond.
Briry: Like…
Todoroki: *Recalls his and Izumi's first date* A moon… A full moon.
Izumi: *Blushes and holds her cheeks feeling them go hot* Shoto…
All Might: As for me, Little Midori and I already have a pair costume, don't we?
Izumi: Have no fear Little Midori and Papa Might are here! *Comes out in her own version of All Might's Costume*
Both: HAHAHAHAHA!
Briry: HAHAHA *Cough Hack* Stupid cold… anyway that's all the questions for today! Keep on reading and reviewing my lovely viewers!
Next Chapter: Cooperation