Chapter 6: These Whispers
Izuku
It's a struggle not to cry himself hearing the panic and dread in his mother's voice.
"This isn't what I wanted to happen! Sweetie, you knew how dangerous it was to rush in like that. You don't even fully understand your quirk yet!" Inko cries, burying her face into her handkerchief at another slew of tears blur her vision.
"I couldn't just stand by and let that creature take Kacchan's body! I formulated a plan to stop him- "
"But what if you plan hadn't worked?! Then you would have been captured as well and seriously injured!" Inko retorts before he can even finish, clenching her teeth shut before her voice gets any louder.
She's right.
Because even though his plan had worked, even though Kacchan had been saved (despite his cursing he wasn't needed), it was the Heroes and Police who looked at him with suspicion now as well.
It was a coincidence the night at the train station and maybe just bad luck during the Central Library incident, however this...
3 times at the scene of a major situation/crime within Musutafu just can't be ignored.
So now he sits with his mother at the Police Station, afternoon long since turned to night waiting for either a Hero or officer to come out and speak to them. Nobody meets their gaze for long, actively peering away or quickly moving to another task should their eyes even briefly cross. The room is unbearably cold and dreary from the walls a dull shade of whites and grays to paint chipping at the corners mixing with balls of dust and webs.
"I can stay a bit longer Deku! Right now they're assuming the worst of you even with the reports given." Ochako relates in alarm, frowning at the looks being sent his way.
Cautious smiles to outright fear and upset, most of the public watching think he is a villain too...
He didn't let her finish, reassuring her he would text her with an update in the morning or afternoon at the latest.
Because whatever negative thoughts Kamui Woods, Death Arms or any of the Heroes have of him at this moment isn't going to be changed by a few words. At nearly two hours does what looks to be the Manager of this police department finally approach, gold badge shining with the name Ishikawa.
Stormy gray eyes roam over him and he stiffens, the frostiness in them makes his stomach twist and he briefly wonders again if his heartbeat can be heard in the quiet of the room.
"You're the one who stopped the slime villain?" He questions with a raised brow, tone laced with annoyance. This child before him doesn't look like he could even swat a fly let alone stop a criminal who caused such destruction in such a short amount of time.
But the video evidence doesn't lie.
"Come with me." He orders, gesturing for Inko to wait when she moves to stand as well. Anger flares to life again in her emerald orbs, refusing his command as she holds up a hand in front of Izuku.
"Where are you taking him?! My boy is still a minor and I have the right to be beside him for any questions you have!" Inko demands, ignoring the dozens of stares sent their way as her voice echoes out.
Ishikawa shifts his gaze to her, eyes narrowing. "Your boy here can be tried as an adult for his actions. Moving across police lines is interfering with a crime in progress, especially when he endangered himself and almost became a hostage as well."
'Don't hurt her.' Izuku clicks his teeth, willing darker thoughts away wanting to activate Infliction.
Focus. Relax.
"Please Mom, we'll get through this faster if we just cooperate." He breathes out and it is this that luckily gets Inko to calm just slightly. Tears fill her eyes once more she hurriedly blinks away, nodding.
He's led away then to an even more cramped room, sweat and grime mingling in the air nearly making him gag.
"In light of discussing this with the other Heroes and seeing as your actions did prevent that sludge creature from getting away we're letting you off with a warning for now." Ishikawa grumbles.
Relief floods him, though Ishikawa's stare doesn't lighten as his fingers tap at a folder resting towards the edge of the wooden table.
His name sits there in bold black ink.
"However, that of quirk of yours or whatever it is that you did to that slime villain is dangerous. Downright scary and a bit evil if one looks at it a different way." He remarks.
And Izuku feels his whole body grow hot with renewed anxiety, churning in his stomach becoming a fire.
"I-I don't understand what you mean?" He manages out.
But Ishikawa only chuckles, assuming he is simply feigning naivety over this all before leaning close to him. He can smell the faint whiskey and tobacco on his breath, eyes fiery and sharp with scrutiny.
"Don't play dumb kid, whatever crap you did to that the sludge villain he still hasn't recovered or woken properly up from."
'What?'
-X-
Katsuki
'That fucking idiot!'
The evening news paints Deku far more negatively than he figured what would happen, a good chunk of witnesses either think he was a pedestrian getting in the way of the Hero's business or believe he was actually trying to aid that fucking slime monster in getting away.
Why are people so damn stupid?!
"I saw the way he stared that gross slime villain down before it suddenly collapsed! It takes the saying 'if looks could kill' to a whole other meaning!" A middle aged woman announces dramatically for a tabloid reporter's note taking.
"Shoot, I'm just glad he's on the Heroes side, right?" Another man asks warily to a Musutafu columnist for the morning news before looking to his girlfriend.
She snorts in return, blue eyes glassy and haunted as she looks directly into the camera's lens.
"Seemed more like a villain to me."
"Damn it!" He growls under his breath, unleashing another round of explosions scorching the grass into ash. Even at night it is still humid enough to dampen his skin furthering his anger, fireflies flickering around the newly blackened soil and land.
He hears footsteps approaching, already knowing it can only be his mother going by the ruffling of her robe against the blades of grass he hasn't gotten to yet.
"Destroying our lawn isn't going to fix things! You could've spoken up when you had the chance, but you didn't! Your written statement alone isn't going to be enough to sway these new opinions now of Midoriya." Mitsuki snaps, scoffing taking in the scent of smoke lingering about them.
Masaru had just fixed these patches of grass last week and already their son had burned it all once more in giving into his rage.
Katsuki tightens his fists, but stays quiet for once.
Speaking up would've meant admitting aloud Deku was getting stronger, that none of cruel taunts or actions amounted to anything...
He still found a way to best him if just for a bit in the eyes of the veteran Heroes.
"Leave me alone." He finally hisses out and Mitsuki's frown deepens.
"You need to look at me first." She commands, slapping the back of his head lightly until he finally does as she asks.
Crimson orbs soften then, sighing. This is the first time her son has been in true danger, that the quirk he always boasts of having such power and strength failed him when he needed it most.
"This won't be the last time Midoriya shows the true capabilities of his quirk. He wanted to help save you as well despite the fact you've been his main tormentor for so long." Mitsuki murmurs simply without explanation, resting her hands against his shoulders.
'I didn't need his saving.' The words rest there on the tip of his tongue, ready to be spat out again.
But it won't make a difference now.
"Some people see him as a monster now." Katsuki considers, images of the nervous interviewed civilians flashing to mind.
Mitsuki arches a brow, studying her son carefully.
"Are you going to do anything to help change that?"
-X-
Ochako
'Stop. Checking. Your. Phone!' Ochako orders herself.
Easier said than done.
There has been radio silence on Deku's end since yesterday, scrolling through her text messages only bringing up to the hours before they had gone to get lunch.
It's just past 4:00 am now, orange glow from the streetlights slipping through her blinds to the wood flooring below. She peeks through the slits once more gazing down to the empty street and still blue-black sky, nobody is awake but her it feels like.
Guilt and worry gnawed too much at her thoughts for sleep to properly come, weaved into her dreams waking her in cold sweats right down to her toes. In those brief periods of wakefulness she reads through the waves of news alerts and updates on the 'Sludge Incident/Fiasco' so aptly dubbed by most of the outlets, scouring over each viler and viler comment until she's strained her eyes red.
'They took him into custody before he could even properly explain his quirk.' Ochako clicks her tongue impatiently.
And it is because of that she knows civilian and Heroes alike are assuming the worse of Deku.
"Worrying isn't going to solve things." Ochako decides under her breath; this was a waiting game now. She curls back under her covers, ignoring the further tightening in her chest and urge to scroll over just one more article.
It's daylight when her eyes blearily shift open again, frantic knocking breaking through the stillness of her room. Seconds pass before it comes again much harder, gaze trailing towards her entryway.
She's not expecting any guests...
Whoever it is isn't going away though as she moves to haphazardly change out of her pajamas.
The glitter of an officer's badge peers back at her through the peephole and a mix caution and relief swirls in her stomach. He's here to most likely conduct another interview with her on what exactly occurred yesterday evening from start to finish.
"So sorry to bother you Miss...Uraraka, correct? I'm officer Saito; I just had some follow up questions from the Sludge Villain incident that occurred yesterday if you have some time to talk?"
His smile doesn't quite reach his eyes Ochako notes, but she nods and steps aside quickly.
"Sorry, I didn't first hear you knock! I slept in late with everything that's been going on lately!" Ochako relates, wishing she had changed into something more than her plain black tank top and sweatpants.
He turns down her offer for anything to drink, sitting down across from her at the kitchen table. It is then she truly sees how haggard he looks, blond hair peppered with gray in disarray and the beginnings of dark bags lingering under his eyes.
Though what stands out to her most is his apparent quirk: eyes the shape of targets; bull-eyes.
"First, I just like to say we appreciate your help in getting all civilians that were in the area out of harm's way. Looking into your background we saw you're set to attend the prestigious U.A. High School next semester, not an easy school to get into. I know my daughter was interested in going there once upon a time a few years ago, but that quickly changed after she realized how vigorous/strict the programs are there. Didn't think her quirk would be enough to survive in that type of atmosphere so she switched to Isamu Academy High School." He notes.
'That's still a prominent hero school as well.' Ochako recalls.
"What type of quirk does she have if I may ask?" She questions.
A real grin lights his face then, amber orbs shining with pride. "Same as her old man! All of her 5 senses are heightened;especially her vision and sense of smell. Completely different from her brother who shares his Mom's quirk of liquefying objects."
The statement causes a shift between them, room becoming blanketed in a chill despite the heat of the approaching afternoon.
'This isn't a follow-up at all really...' Ochako realizes.
Saito stretches back from her then to give her space, golden ringed eyes gaining a tinge of mistiness, changing colors right before her.
"Oh, but enough about me! Tell me, just long have you known that boy who was with you yesterday?" He asks.
"Deku? A few weeks now, I moved here from the Mie prefecture shortly before summer started." Ochako relates.
Saito nods, jotting down a few notes. His questions are relatively tame to answer from asking about her own quirk to her current activities; safe and easy. It isn't until he gets to his last few questions does she find herself pausing more and more at knowing truly where his thoughts are.
"How exactly does Izuku Midoriya's quirk function? Does he plan to go down the Hero path like you seeing as he's been accepted into U.A. as well?"
"...Well he calls it Infliction and yes he does. It's hard to fully explain it really since I've only seen him use it once or twice now, Deku could tell you more and-"
"Trust me, we've asked him. I wanted to get your perspective though. For example, have you ever witnessed him using this quirk of his to stir up any trouble or violence?" Saito interrupts pointedly. He lists then the series of cases where Deku has been actively involved over the last month, from the train station to the Central Library, it's starting to become a pattern.
His target eyes simmer red, searching her body language for any supposed lies.
"No! Deku isn't like that! He's been nothing but a good friend since we met." Ochako retorts with too much anger, digging her nails into her palms until tiny crescents indent her skin.
He should speak to Bakugo, he's known Deku longer and was the victim in this whole mess.
Instead of saying anything more though Officer Saito moves to stand, nodding her way before heading for her door.
"A note of advice as you remind me too much of my daughter and even my son when they were your age; so naive and ignorant." He states offhand aloud.
And Ochako feels her skin prickling all over as goosebumps arise, chill encompassing taking each of his words in. She bites her tongue to stay silent, watching the hue of red in his eyes wash back to a calmer blue.
"Be careful who you call your friends."
-X-
All Might
"I still don't understand what you see in him." Aizawa mentions before sliding Izuku's photo back towards the center of the table.
So that was the boy who Toshinori had chosen instead of Mirio, the one who kept popping up on the news. There was nothing impressive about him looks wise that stood out to him nor did what he currently knew of his quirk seem to line up with the image of 'All Might/Symbol of Peace' that was already cemented in the media.
'It doesn't seem like he has full control over what exactly his quirk does either, granted it's appears to be stronger than most of the visible quirks I've seen within this new batch of incoming students so far.' Aizawa mentally adds.
At least this what he can infer from speaking with the sludge villain and his team of doctors.
"How long has he been like this?" Aizawa asks, peering away from his medical chart back to the creature himself.
"It's been exactly 5 days now and while his vision is coming back slowly, we were most concerned about the brain damage he sustained. Once certain cells or neural pathways are broken it can take years to heal if even at all." Doctor Takeuchi relates, confirming his suspicions.
Because the infamous slime villain doesn't meet his gaze, dark eyes vacant only moving at the slightest notice of a shadow or voice close to his sides approaching his sealed chamber.
What was once a terrifying monster just days ago can't even properly see the figures in front of him now.
And all because of one quirk.
Whatever that kid did to his eyes and brain damaged them at a microscopic level they're still working to correct. For now his sight will remain blurry at trying to see objects from afar while his mind slowly cracks further and further, not clearly remembering the crime spree that brought him to this state...
"He makes a good point! And you know how often we agree on things!" Yamada exclaims with a chuckle in return attempting to break the uncomfortable silence from going on any longer.
It's not the first time Toshinori's heard this from the duo, nor will it be the last.
This is only the latest in a string of supposed 'chance encounters/situations' from his current successor, each one making it seem more and more like Young Midoriya is either looking for danger or trying to get involved where he knows he shouldn't.
"You haven't officially met him yet or seen him in action. He's a good kid and-" Toshinori begins.
"Why does he want to be a Hero? With a quirk like what we've seen so far it will be hard for the public to gain that idea of him." Aizawa cuts him off dryly. So many prospective students don't seem to realize their quirk isn't cut out for U.A. unless they are told directly or find out the hard way during the first exercise sessions.
Toshinori quiets. His answer he's sure though will surprise them, if even just a bit to know of Midoriya's past.
"This world of ours isn't kind to quirkless people." Izuku notes regarding the afternoon sky to the city below. A clear day marked a busy lunch rush pouring out into the streets, groups crowding fast food restaurants and stands for on the go meals. Sunlight marked happy to annoyed faces, young and old mingling about.
"I'm not sure how you survived your days of elementary and middle school All Might being quirkless. Though I suppose you didn't have a version of 'Kacchan' around and you met your master early. Despite not having a quirk until recently, I wish I had used all these past years to train my body and mind up in other ways." He finishes, twisting his gaze to him fully.
Verdant eyes are dull, lacking their typical shine and enthusiasm he's come to gotten used to seeing out of him. Memories like those just can't disappear no matter how much he tells him not to dwell on it, years of being told his dreams were hopeless will darken even the nicest child and then he...retaliated.
And that had been the start of his quirk.
"Well, it wasn't always great! Having to make up excuses to why I couldn't properly test out my quirk in gym or go out on practice missions." Toshinori relates with a chuckle.
It makes a small grin return back to Izuku's face luckily, nodding.
"Quirk discrimination is still very much a real thing that a majority of society disregards or is just ignorant to. I would like for quirkless citizens and even just regular civilian with what can be deemed as 'weak' or 'low' level quirks to still feel just as safe going out to their daily tasks as someone with a 'strong' quirk'; to stop the cycle of fear. I know I have a long way to go change the public's opinion of me on being that Hero to rely on, but I don't intend to give up!" Izuku explains.
"Of course! Let's finish up our lunch then get right back into training!" Toshinori declares.
That had been two weeks ago now and his sentiment hadn't changed, he was glad he picked Young Midoriya.
"Mirio Togata will do just fine without needing One For All with the quirk he already has and while yes it's true he has more experience, I see in Young Midoriya someone who can just as easily grow into his own as a Hero and fine young man, someone even stronger than Mirio with the proper tutelage I daresay." He explains.
Yamada perks up at this, staring at Izuku's photo again with renewed interest. "I have to admit, you're selling this kid really well Yagi!"
Aizawa only arches a brow, expression unreadable. "You saw yourself you mean, right? Before you ever had a quirk?"
He feels himself deflating, familiar taste of blood tinging the back of his throat. Well, he knew Aizawa wouldn't be interested no matter how much he showed off or explained the results of Izuku's progress in just the span of a few weeks.
The only way to truly appeal to him was for him to see it directly.
And he knows this to ring true as soon as speaks again.
"Guess we'll see what you're talking about come the next phase of the entrance exams."
-X-
Izuku
"Why are we whispering?!" Ochako questions, unable to keep a faint giggle out of her voice.
Izuku stiffens, glancing back quickly to his closed door. Despite knowing his Mom was distracted with finishing up the laundry down the hall, he easily knew she could turn her attention back to his room to see what he was up to.
"Err, well I'm not really supposed to be using my phone after the Sludge Incident...I promised Mom I would leave it off for most of the day unless I absolutely needed to call or text her." He remarks softly, feeling his face flush at Ochako's louder snickering into the line.
"I'm not trying to get you in trouble silly! Geez!" Her sigh drifts out.
"...Anyways, I'm really glad we're both safe and we didn't get into too much of trouble!" She remarks when her laughter finally dies down, mustering up as much enthusiasm as she can despite the circumstances.
"Yeah, well...at least it was positive exposure for you." He weakly laughs in return.
He can't say the same for himself really.
But it helps that Mom has regulated them to only catching the morning news, finding other activities to pass the time in afternoons and evenings. Time goes by slower though when he isn't in the midst of training or doing simple chores around the house, the days winding down until his first semester at U.A. officially starts.
The patter of footsteps approaches, familiar ding of the dryer finishing echoing out.
"I have to go now Uraraka, umm we'll talk eventually!" Izuku states abruptly before ending the call and powering down his phone. Inko sure enough pokes her head in to see him in his same spot as before next to his bed with notes for orientation, U.A.'s campus map, and U.A.'s course booklets scattered about the floor.
"Need a break sweetie? You've been studying all that paperwork since you first got up this morning. You should give your mind some rest with this being your last few days of break." She asks.
Izuku shakes his head, tacking on what he hopes is a reassuring smile. "No, I'm alright Mom! Though I'll make myself something for lunch in a minute."
He doesn't miss the flicker of her eyes to his phone, nodding in return with a tiny grin. "No need! I'll make katsudon to celebrate these last days of summer!"
'I won't see Uraraka again until school begins.' Izuku notes as he tosses his darkened phone back onto his desk.
What are people going to think of him? Of his quirk?
As much as he tries to put these questions to the back of his mind, they are always there at the end of night and the start of the day...
And soon enough he wakes minutes before his alarm on the beginning of what is to be his first official day at U.A. It will be another hot day despite the tint of gray to a few clouds, rays of yellow already attempting to slide through the ends of his curtains.
Today is when he'll truly get to show off his quirk's skill along with everything he's learned from All Might over the summer at Takoba Beach Park and around the city.
'There's already a crowd forming by the gates.' Izuku considers, resisting the urge to squirm at feeling dozens of eyes glance his way as he approaches.
One of them is Kacchan's though he makes no effort this time to question his presence here, scarlet eyes narrowing before looking away.
Beads of sweat crawl down his neck at seeing a few take a step back from him the closer he gets, wary and uncertain of what he'll do.
"Isn't that the guy from the news?" One girl asks.
"I didn't know they actually accepted him." The boy next to her responds.
He works to tune them out, shoulders relaxing at seeing Uraraka in the distance doing what he remembers are the warm-up exercises she's been doing from her martial arts classes.
A hand brushes his shoulder before he can even turn to take a step, putting face to face with the frown of a bespectacled boy.
"You. I was wondering where I've seen your face before, you've been on the news." He remarks.
His grip on his shoulder tightens then despite Izuku trying to step back from him, continuing on.
"You're the one with that vicious quirk."
-x-
Apologies on the delay! I had a minor health scare, but my family and I are doing okay! Being a nurse with this virus ongoing has been a bit overwhelming at times, luckily though my clinic is managing and we are properly triaging our patients. Anyways, Izuku's about to shock and scare his future classmates and teachers alike (minus Ochako and Katsuki). I like the idea of One For All enhancing Infliction as many of you suggested so that and some other fun surprises are coming up! Let me know your thoughts as always/ideas.
Enjoy. Review. Favorite. Follow!