Chapter 15: Mimicking Lovers
Izuku
"Turn up the volume."
Ochako whispers it, just loud enough for him to hear as she gestures to the remote. He does as she asks, turning it up until the voice of the reporter can reach all across the room.
"Ingenium? That's the hero name Iida uses, right?" Izuku asks, following Uraraka's steady gaze to the screen.
His heart drops as the picture that comes across the screen looks some much like Iida but it isn't him...
It's his brother.
"Yesterday around 3:00 pm in the afternoon, the Hero Ingenium was found severely bloodied and bruised in an alleyway not far from downtown Hosu City. He was taken away by ambulance with his physicians, nurses, and family asking for the public's privacy as he goes through continued care." The reporter announces.
"Did they say what condition he was found in Harada?" Her correspondent beside her asks.
She shakes her head, azure eyes softening as her gaze turns back to the camera. "Witnesses stated he wasn't moving and there is concern for possible paralysis. This will mark another Pro-Hero's career coming to an end from the dubbed 'Hero Killer'. Please, if you have any updates or have information you can provide on this man's identity reach out to your nearest Police Station or Hero Office."
They switch over then to the lighter subject of sports and the 7-day weather, Izuku clicking the TV off.
"...That's why he hasn't been responding to any of our texts or calls." Ochako murmurs, throat tight.
Izuku simply nods, his latest try to get Iida bounces him straight to his voicemail once more. A voicemail box that is already full...
'Where is he?' He sighs.
None of this is like Iida who is the definition of punctual, of making sure he is in touch with any missed calls or texts at the end of the day.
"We're unlikely to get any updates or further information from the news and I doubt any of the teachers may know what's fully running through Iida's thoughts especially with this now happening to his own brother. We'll need to investigate on our own." Ochako determines.
'We could start from where he was doing volunteer work, his last known locations.' Izuku considers, ideas already rushing to mind.
Uraraka pulls out her phone as well, scrolling through upcoming events happening in Hosu City until she points out a link to him.
"It seems like there will be this mini gala/town hall to occur 1 week from now for the Heroes and citizens in the area to come together to discuss the current situations and next steps! Oh, but it seems like to avoid crowding they're limiting it to invitation only." Ochako reads, sighing at another setback.
"How do we get an invitation?" Izuku questions, scrolling more over the details on his own phone.
This would be their best bet to find out what Iida could be planning, where the Hero Killer may strike next.
Ochako hums thoughtfully before brightening, shoulders bumping as she leans her phone close to him and his face flushes reminded of how close they were just a moment ago.(He hugged her without permission!)
But Ochako didn't seem bothered by it, if anything maybe he is worrying over nothing knowing all they've gone through together so far.
His eyes scan over the gala/town hall details closely, this will involve using connections, of lying and hopefully not getting caught...
"Look here, it says reporters and the press are welcome to come alone or in pairs to represent their stations; that's how we'll get in!" Ochako emphasizes, leaving no room for argument it's their best option.
-X-
Ochako
'It's a great plan! I can ask Nishimura-sensei to help us with getting the passes. We'll just need to buy some clothes that will make us look older.' Ochako plans to herself, smiling.
Tampering down this giddiness, this lightness since seeing Deku didn't work (especially not when he hugged her out of the blue) so she'll revel in it for now just a bit before she pushes it back into the depths of her mind to be forgotten.
Permanently.
Because too many people are noticing these feelings, seeing what it does to her...
'It makes sense you're in love with Deku; I keep a good eye on my all my cute friends you know! And love, it makes you stronger, right!?' Toga's voice hums in her ear, sharp and sweet all at once eliciting a wave of goosebumps on her skin. Why did she think they were friends, especially when she had no qualms about nearly killing her fellow peers just to talk?
She's still wrong anyways, from her notions and her ideals it's all the complete opposite to her really.
These feelings only remind her of weaknesses she can't shake off. It's clear why most Heroes aren't in relationships or the ones they're in fail to work knowing how much a loved one can be used against someone even if they are a Hero themselves.
You become an easy target, wrought with nightmares and fears of kidnappings, time constantly apart to due to odd work hours, and worse of all the thought of death looming over every high risk rescue and capture mission.
The sun is nearly gone by the time she returns to Gamps and Gamma, sky holding the last remnants of violets and pinks. She stayed longer at the hospital than she realized, reviewing homework Deku had missed and providing him updates from Aizawa-sensei on the rebuilding of the school and plans for dorms to be set up.
She many need Gamps and Gamma's home far less soon if that's the case, can turn in her lease early for that apartment she rarely stays in...
Behind the door she can hear their happy chattering, the smells of spices and seasonings wafting through the open windows as they start on dinner.
'I've hardly ate since breakfast.' Ochako muses, squeezing at her stomach to hopefully not growl too loud and worry them.
"No, I want to meet him! I need to see for myself he isn't a danger to Ochi or society no matter if he's a U.A. student as well."
It's the first voice she hears from whoever Gamps is speaking to from the living room, so familiar and gruff as it brings up images of Mie and the construction fields...
'Papa?'
"Well, I'll ask her when she gets home; no reason to spring this on her now after everything she's been through as of late!" Gamps relates, but she pictures her Dad shaking his head in disagreement no matter how much Gamps is trying to calm him.
"This can't wait! Ma and I will come down there at the end of the month!" He answers in return before he apparently hangs up and she swears she hears Gamps mutter over his stubbornness under his breathe.
"Ask me what?" Ochako clears her throat making him jolt and turn to face her.
Gamps only laughs though, hearty and full of mirth. He gestures with a shooing notion to the kitchen instead, lightly shoving her in said direction when she stays still.
"Dinner first! Gamma and I have much to discuss with you!" He asserts.
Gamma at least gives her a wink as they approach the table, promising she won't wait at least on giving her details.
So she lets the hundreds of questions running through her thoughts now sit on the back of her tongue, taking in the smell of curry to the seasoned vegetables from the garden. It's been a while since they've had a Sukiyaki Hot Pot night making part of her wonder if it will be the norm for a while if more guests are coming...
Guests like her parents.
"Your Ma and Pa say they're coming for a visit. Want to meet the boy wonder himself you've become sweet on and more importantly make sure U.A. is still a safe school for you to attend." Gamma begins when all their bowls are full.
And Ochako nearly chokes on her slice of tofu, pursing her lips.
The steam isn't enough to hide the warmth she feels building on her face, the unexpectedness of this conversation.
"More than just that Gamma; he wants to meet both him and his Mother! Seems to be more on the side that the boy is bad news from all those nasty articles all the stations did months ago on his quirk's power." Gamps emphasizes.
'They think Deku could harm me?' Ochako pauses, frowning thinking of the intensity of their stares, of the multitude of questions they would have...
Dad could be just as vicious as any scrupulous reporter when push came to shove.
"I...I can understand wanting to check in on me out of safety and I'm happy they're coming, but I don't want Ma or Pa to already have these negative assumptions of Deku and his Mom. They're both nice people and the media and everything at school has already put them through so much-" She stops herself, taking slow breaths in.
Gamma pats her hand, still warm from the heat of her own bowl. "Now don't you worry a bit about this Ochi! Your Pa will consider Deku one of the family by the time they meet each other properly."
Ochako manages a nod, forcing herself to focus back on eating and the unfinished essay and equations waiting for her back in her room.
She as well needs to brainstorm how to ask Nishimura-sensei for another favor, this is to help a classmate so he shouldn't say no...
Hopefully.
A little after 11:30 pm, Gamps and Gamma turn in for the night leaving her with only the ticking of her wall clock for company and the low buzz of her lamp light's amber glow across the room. She spends more nights here lately than at her own apartment closer to U.A.'s campus she knows. Papa has a point from one of his many texts over the fact that moonlight can't reach every edge and corner no matter how tiny of a space it is...
She needs to know where a villain could hide themselves more than ever now, especially when she is alone.
"Alright, finally done with question 30." She murmurs to herself, now she just needed to double check her work.
'This can't wait! Ma and I will come down there at the end of the month!' Dad's voice rings out again, stopping her midway in flipping to the back of the textbook to check the answer key.
Her heartrate jumps, she only has 2 weeks left then.
Amid Deku's hospital bed had been notes, not just for schoolwork but in relation to his quirk.
Medical books most likely from Recovery Girl on the Human Body, on the how common disorders affected each major system.
'He's improving upon Infliction, that much I could see.'
For who exactly though he hasn't yet told her, if he ever even will.
She looks to her own hands then before tightening them into fists, Nishimura-sensei's new weights for her sit near the edge of the bed, training to increase her weight limit slowly but surely. But more than just that he gave her books to study on stealth and setting traps, on how her quirk can do so much when she thinks outside the box.
No more distractions for tonight.
-X-
Katsuki
"You know, you can't leave until you at least give me some answer on what happened to you in the gymnasium! I can wait; I can even brew you a cup of tea if that will help you relax!" Principal Nezu chirps out.
'Does this guy ever stop smiling? Being so happy?' Katsuki instead wonders, slouching even more so in his chair.
He should've skipped school today.
But then he would've had to deal with his Mother's shouting worsening this fucking insomnia he continues to have.
No amount of medication has helped as of yet to truly sleep a full night and so he lies awake most nights until the darkness gives away to dull orange-red of sunrise. He hasn't really slept since before the attack...
And if Endeavor hadn't stepped in when he did he isn't sure how worse his current injuries would even be.
"I already gave All Might my report, what else do you want?" He finally gripes out when he another look around his office from the main door to the windows shows he really can't make an exit without running into one of the faculty looming nearby to haul him back in here.
Nezu sips at his tea, paying no mind to his foul attitude. "Yes, but I want to hear it from you in your own words! You and Kirishima are eyewitnesses after all to how Mr. Compress or aka Atsuhiro Sako's quirk works without being captured in the process."
"Endeavor was just there in the right place and time." He shrugs, honestly why does he have to keep repeating it? Keep having the images bubble back up the surface of his mind.
Because once he closes his eyes and concentrates he is there again back in that wrecked gymnasium, that vacant Nomu's eyes staring him down even after losing one eye...
The memory heats his skin, reminding him of the flames that came right before Mr. Compress could apparently seal them in those orbs of his. Endeavor's fire created a blockade enough for them to make a hasty retreat and for him to be reminded that his quirk is still no where up to par where he would like it.
'Stop being foolish thinking you can handle these type of villains alone. You should've ran earlier when you had the chance.'
Endeavor's words are just as harsh and cruel as if he is in the room here with them, telling him he is weak, that he is still just a child.
"Are we done now?" Katsuki asks, standing up before Nezu can even respond.
If he tells him 'No' he may just blast that desk of his until there is nothing left but ashes. Or maybe melt his beloved tea set to prove his point.
Luckily, Nezu can see without him having to say it this is all he'll get from him. His story has remained the same each time that Endeavor was simply there in right place and time. He knows just as much about the villain's quirks as they do.
For now.
Exhausted as he feels he still may only get 1 or maybe 3 hours of sleep if he uses those sleeping pills Recovery Girl gave him.
But he doesn't need any damn medicine making him less alert now, not when they'll come back for him.
"Endeavor mentioned to me you like to poke your nose where it shouldn't be at times. A good Hero knows their limits, I'm sure that's one of the lessons All Might has given you through his Heroics class, right?" Nezu asks before Katsuki is fully out the door.
He gives him a clipped 'Yes' before leaving.
Any Hero should know their limits yes, but how do they handle the afterwards of a failed mission?
The Loss?
Kirishima's bruises come to mind, the cuts so deep that some may require stitches...
Does it make them become like how he is now he briefly ponders. How do Pro-Heroes manage insomnia? Stress? Fears?
And more importantly, how do they break themselves out of it?
-X-
Izuku & Ochako
"Wow...you look beautiful."
He blurts out the first thing that comes to mind seeing Ochako finally out of the dressing room, watching as pink dances across Ochako's face before he realizes what he's said feeling his own cheeks begin to burn.
"Ah, I mean-" He starts.
"Well, I was going for the sophisticated, older look! Pretty isn't going to be convincing enough to this crowd even with the passes Nishimura-sensei gave us." Ochako laughs gazing down at her dark blue dress and instantly he feels himself begin to relax.
"Yes, I think one of my old film buddies who used to record my fights during those summer monsoon seasons still lives near Hosu City. Why? Don't tell me after that news you saw on the Hero Killer-" Nishimura begins, eyes narrowing.
Even with pain medicine and muscle relaxers running through his veins his look is sharp enough to make both Izuku and Ochako stiffen.
"No! We're just collecting information is all sensei! We aren't planning to do anything reckless." Ochako relates, looking to Izuku who quickly nods his agreement.
Nishimura doesn't answer for a long few minutes before sighing and gesturing to his phone still charging on the table. He's moving much more now than the last time he visited with Uraraka, wounds no longer the vicious red as if he came right out of the fire.
"I'll make a few calls, though I can't promise I'll get you the results you want." He mutters.
"Adjust your glasses Deku, they're slipping off your face!" Ochako points out, helping him to get them not to keep slipping down to his nose while smoothing out his green-black hair so that it doesn't look as untamed as usual. Apprehension coils at his stomach and his shoes feel far like they're 10 sizes too small (far and away dressier and less comfortable than his usual red sneakers that would stick out too much for an event like this).
How are they going to pull this off?
It is one thing to dress the part of two young and upcoming reporters interested in writing an article over the latest Hero Killer incidents, it's another to act like they understand the world of professional journalism and communication.
Communication...that wasn't his forte.
"Don't be nervous Deku; you're going to make me nervous as well! Don't forget we're doing this together! If we happened to get separated we'll just give each other our signals before our covers get blown!" Ochako mentions.
Can she hear his heartbeat as well? Or maybe it's just the trembling of his hands that gives away this anxiety he can't fully stomp down. If he was more like Kacchan he would march his way into the press room and demand answers from the Heroes who have been at each crime scene what is being kept from the public over where the Hero Killer will most likely strike next. Of what has happened to his victims...
"Iida may be there, let's keep an eye for him and anyone who could be disguised as well." Izuku states, glad to hear his voice doesn't betray his anxiousness or hold any stutter.
"Right, we don't want to be late either." Ochako notes, taking a glance to her watch.
If they left now they would make it without hopefully looking too out of place. The train ride is quiet, though seeing the unease of many of the passengers only motivates them more so to continue with this plan.
What looks to be an older anchor regards them skeptically as they approach the main entrance, Izuku lacing their hands together reigniting their blushes.
"We're new interns with Hosu City's Nightly News Team from 7:00-10:00 pm! We're looking forward to meeting all the veterans in the industry." Izuku begins, nodding to Ochako who quickly beams her agreement.
"It's a honor to see so many leading experts in the field along with Heroes!" Ochako adds in brightly.
The man whose name tag only refers to him as Takashita sighs before nodding and stepping aside. "It's the newbies or couples that are always the most chipper." He grumbles under his breathe.
The main dining hall is lit in deep colors of crimson to gold, a who's who of Hosu City's most prominent citizens and Pro-Heroes.
And towards the left, Izuku sees him first: Iida.
"He's about to go on the move." Ochako notes, feeling Deku's signature tap at her shoulder to get her attention.
They follow his dark gaze across the room as he breaks midway through a conversation to follow a hooded figure out the back doors.
"You want revenge so bad even when you're so weak. I warned you once and you refused to listen." A gruff voice bounces down alleyway.
And too late soon after do they see the blood pooling at his feet before Iida's body crumples to the ground.
-X-
All Might
"Tell me you have an idea of where Young Midoriya went. His Mom said he had a date with Young Uraraka but I don't believe she truly knows what they were planning or up to." Toshinori frowns, trying to keep alarm out of his voice.
Gran Torino knows these areas of Hosu City better than him, however even he isn't 100% sure on their location. They've split covering the city between North and South and still haven't seen either sign of the pair.
"The gala is the best place I can think of, though it's a private event. Not that that would stop this Hero Killer from scoping it out to see who would make best for a next target." Sorahiko replies, voice going in and out from the wind as he continues his building hopping.
They grow quiet for a moment until Toshinori speaks again, a new thought coming to mind. "When is the last time you two trained together?"
Sorahiko hums thoughtfully, longer than he would like. "Perhaps 2 or 3 days ago, he's really been refining that Infliction quirk of his. Wouldn't give me much details on it though beyond the basics of what he's done so far; not sure if that's a good or bad thing."
'Damn it, just what is running through his mind?'
Perhaps he's thinking about whatever Shigaraki told him, of what so many people continue to whisper about him behind his back...
"Shit, I think I just got a read on their location! A block away from the gala, between 5th and 6th street I just heard a scream come from near one of the alleyways." He reports.
"On it." Toshinori replies before the call is hung up.
If a scream has already been heard though they may already be too late.
-X-
Izuku
It isn't that hard to give someone a heart attack really.
At least now that he's improved Infliction a bit more.
The Hero Killer is known for his speed, for how quick he can spill blood in the blink of an eye.
"You two shouldn't have come here." He scoffs, licking his lips where a droplet of blood marks his cheek.
And so he must ensure quickly he is slowed down, give him the full experience of the pain he has been doing to so many.
Tonight it will come to an end.
'Pain starts in the chest typically. Give him chest pain, pain that radiates down his arms, to his neck as each artery becomes blocked off.' Izuku commands, watching the glint of his blade carefully.
"I've lifted the trash and spare bricks if he gets too close." Ochako whispers, ready to strike him from behind.
Before he can jet forward though Infliction takes effect, both watching as his hand reaches to clutch at his chest.
"What...What did you just do to me?" He hisses.
'Shortness of breath next, the feeling like he is about to faint.'
The muscles in his heart are dying now, vision blurring as a sheen of sweat becomes visible on his forearms to his head in the streetlights.
"You're getting what you deserve." Izuku states to answer his earlier question when he's sure he won't be fast enough to pin them down, Ochako moving ahead to check on Iida. She shouts he's still breathing, but that his pulse is erratic and that only makes him go for the next system: GI.
'With the chest pain now now he should start feeling nausea, begin vomiting as he gets more and more lightheaded.'
His head is starting to throb from the rush of commands, still he can't stop until he is sure he is truly feeling every second of the pain and dread he put his victims through.
He takes note of the glow of his eyes, clenching his teeth trying to stop the rise of bile they both know is crawling up. He slides back against the brick wall, knives clattering to the ground realizing how quickly this situation has turned on him.
"So what is this? Are you going to kill me now?" He questions slowly, pupils narrowing.
He's the first person he's witnessed attempt to resist Infliction so heavily...
And death is coming for him, he's sped up the process destroying his arteries this way, creating inflammatory responses triggering his body to go into overdrive.
His dark eyes grow hazy, figure slumping before he can respond.
Ochako grips at his arm, gesturing to the sound of sirens getting closer. "You don't need to go any further Deku."
"But...Iida...everyone he hurt." Izuku whispers, Ochako only squeezing at his hand to pull him back from him.
'Quirks like yours will never fit in with society, not with what we've seen it can do.' Shigaraki's voice slides into his thoughts, cold and bitter. His words weigh on his chest like rocks, the reminder he can't forget that they will inevitably meet again. This scene will frighten whoever immediately comes on the scene shortly, of what his quirk has done in just a few minutes and he shuts his eyes preparing for the multiple questions, what they will think of him once more...
'Like a Monster.'
-x-
I may need to take a short writing break no matter how much I love writing this and my other ongoing Naruto story I've been feeling a bit under the weather most of this week from a migraine attack that won't leave though I wanted to get this chapter out since it was mostly done (I was in the middle of my favorite IzuOcha parts lol). I really do take you guy's ideas and thoughts into account mixing them with my own so please continue to let me know any ways you think I can improve!
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