AN: Thanks for reading! If you like the story so far, feel free to drop a review!
Shoto blinked in surprise. "Does this mean-"
Not giving him a chance to speak, Himiko struck. In one smooth motion, she grabbed him by the collar and pulled him inside. She then slammed him against the wall as she kicked the door closed. Before Shoto had a chance to recover, he felt the cold metal of a knife pressed against his throat.
"Don't lie to me!" Himiko hissed. "I can smell the Magic in your blood. You're one of them, aren't you?"
"My magic?" Shoto blinked before a faint smile crossed his lips. "Do you know how long I've been looking for someone who actually recognizes me?"
"Eh?" Himiko blinks. This wasn't the reaction she was expecting given his position!
"I've been trying to get Izuku to believe me for years that magic exists! And that I can use it," Shoto explained happily. "And yet, while he's burying his head in the sand I've discovered that not one but two of his friends believe in it." He closed his eyes and sighed. "Why didn't he ever tell me?"
"You're… not a Magus?" Himiko asked cautiously.
"If that's the name of someone proficient in magic - I'd like to become one." Shoto said "But I have yet to find a proper teacher. I've been forced to learn all of this on my own." His eyes looked over Himiko hopefully. "Are you a Magus?"
"Eww, no!" Himiko said as she slowly pulled the knife away. "I'm a vampire! Which makes me much better than those stuck-up assholes!"
Shoto's eyes widened as if Himiko just sprouted a second head. "You- you're a vampire?!"
Himiko giggled and let her fangs extend before she gave him a bright, fanged smile. "You're just noticing?"
"I knew it!" Shoto said with far too much satisfaction. "There's more out there than we are led to believe!"
Himiko blinked as she pulled away, frowning at the man in her grip. "You're weird, you know that! Most people would be begging for mercy or trying to escape right now!"
"Should I be scared?" Shoto asked curiously. "If Izuku is asking me to help you."
"Yes," Himiko growled before letting go of Shoto and turning around in a huff. "If it wasn't for him I could - should - kill you and two different groups would thank me. I'm surprised you've survived this long. You've got even more of a death wish than Izuku."
"Well then I'll be sure to thank him later," Shoto replied. "I've spent years trying to make contact with someone. Anyone. But despite my best efforts, you are my first success."
Himiko spun around and gave him an incredulous look. "No wonder! We all keep to ourselves for a reason! We do our thing, the Magi are off doing… whatever they're doing and we've collectively agreed that humans don't find out. Especially humans like you."
"But I'm not a normal human," Shoto said, unable to keep the hint of excitement out of his voice. "You said it yourself - I know how to use Magic. Wouldn't it be better to put me in contact with one of these Magi?"
Himiko rolled her eyes. "You don't even know the first thing about any of us, do you?"
"I've read plenty and put together several extensive theories… although admittedly I've never had confirmation which supernatural creatures are real and which are fictional before now…"
Himiko grumbles. "No wonder Izuku's kept you in the dark. Fine. I'm a vampire," She pointed to herself. "Your books on us only get about a third of it right, and we like it that way. We live in the cities and try to keep the undead under control. You." She pointed a finger accusingly at him. "Have the potential to be a Magus. They tend to keep to small groups and conduct research on… whatever attracts their interest. They also deal with the really weird stuff. I'm sure if you stick around long enough you'll find one, given that I'm pretty sure Ochako qualifies for that."
"Of course she is," Shoto said smugly. "I knew Izuku was keeping something from me. I just had to keep tabs on him and eventually-"
Himiko's eyes flared as she slammed Shoto into the wall again. "You were using Izuku?!"
Shoto's eyes went wide as he held up his hands. "N-no! He is my friend! I just-"
"Some friend," Himiko glared at Shoto, her eyes narrowing as she recalled all of her own 'friends' among the undead. "You know what, you're gonna fit right in with the Magi whenever you find them."
"It's not like that," Shoto insisted. "As much as I hoped something would come out of this, I would have helped Izuku either way. And it's not like I've hidden my intentions from Izuku either. I've been very upfront with him about wanting to have dinner with him and Ochako to talk about magic. But Izuku's been avoiding me, claiming she is sick."
"Sick- oh." Himiko threw her head back and laughed. "I get it. Come on, let's go talk to Izuku and Ochako."
"I checked there first to see if he was home," Shoto said. "Nobody answered."
"They didn't answer for you," Himiko said with a far too wide smile. "Let's see if they open up for me."
Not letting go of Shoto's arm, Himiko dragged him over to the island and collected her key before dragging him out of her apartment and down the hall. When they reached Izuku's door, Himiko began knocking on it. "Izuku, Ochako! I need something!"
Shoto looked at Himiko expectantly for about half a minute before they heard the locks being undone on the other side of the door. Himiko flashed a grin at Shoto before she turned her attention to the door as it was opening.
"What is it Himik– oh," Izuku paled as he saw Shoto standing there, trapped in the vampire's grasp.
"Izuku, we need to talk," Shoto said.
Izuku swallowed the lump in his throat as he looked at Shoto who stood there looking far too satisfied with himself despite his predicament.
"Izuku, who is-" Ochako stood up from the couch and turned around to face the door.
"Ochako, don't-" Izuku winced when he heard Shoto's gasp.
"Izuku, what kind of food poisoning is this?" Shoto asked. "I've never seen these symptoms bef-"
With a groan, Izuku grabbed Shoto's other arm and pulled both of them into the apartment before slamming the door shut. "Himiko, what did you tell him?"
"In my defense," Himiko said with a faux-innocent smile on her face. A smile Izuku could only imagine she used frequently around others of her kind. "You didn't warn me that Shoto knew how to use Magic."
"Shoto knows- I thought he was making that up!" Izuku threw his hands in the air.
"I've been telling you this for years," Shoto replied, crossing his arms and leaning against the wall.
"I-I thought it was a game at this point!"
"It was," Shoto said with a smirk. "But I was serious in my words."
"How long?" Izuku asked shakily.
"Remember when I borrowed that Ouija board from Tokoyami during our first year of high school?"
"The Ouija board…" Izuku's brows furrowed as he tried to recall the events before his eyes went wide. "You came to school the next day with your arm and face wrapped for burns! You said you were attacked-"
"But I never went into details," Shoto finished. "I had convinced myself for the longest time that it had to be something else. That I didn't summon a spirit out of the Ouija board that decided to attack me, despite the scars. Eventually…" Shota's lips curled into a satisfied smile. "I began searching for more and more knowledge."
"And you found it. You really found it?"
"It wasn't easy," Shoto admitted with a faint smile. "One of the perks of my position is I could spend a lot of time exploring old tomes and relics. Most of them were a waste of time but-"
"But you only needed it to work once." Izuku breathed as he remembered all of the research he had done with Ochako.
"Precisely," Shoto gave Izuku a far-too-satisfied look as his gaze drifted over to Ochako. "And while you vehemently denied it, it looks like you've found your own connection to the supernatural."
And there it is.
Izuku paled as he turned to look at his girlfriend, her gray skin and faint brown hair a giveaway that she wasn't exactly human.
"Izuku…" Ochako said as she turned to her boyfriend. When she saw his appearance she was thankful that her emotions were subdued right now. She did not like even the faint things she felt at the moment. "I am sorry."
"It's not your fault," Izuku reassured her before taking a deep breath. Walking over to his kitchen counter, he leaned on it to steady himself. "I just- it's a lot to take in."
"How is my learning magic any different than what is going on with Ochako or Himiko?" Shoto asked, his self-satisfied look being replaced with one of concern.
"Because of what it means," Izuku admitted. "Ochako's - Ochako. And Himiko's a vampire! But you-" Izuku took a deep breath. "If you could learn Magic, that means anyone can."
"I thought that was clear from our studies?" Ochako asked curiously as she stepped behind Izuku and wrapped her arms around him, pressing her face into the back of his shoulder. She told herself it was to keep him upright, but she still felt - shame? Exposed? Whatever the name of the feeling was, she did not like what she felt when she was under Shoto's scrutinizing gaze.
"Yeah," Izuku placed his free hand on top of Ochako's, savoring her cool flesh against his palm. "But it's different knowing one of my best friends-"
"This is why I made a game of it," Shoto admitted as he closed his eyes. "I was worried about how you would respond when you found out the truth. It was more prudent to offer the information and wait until you were really ready." Opening his eyes he examined the vampire standing nearby. "And for both of our safety, it appears I made the correct choice."
"I appreciate it," Izuku replied, his words genuine. "I just- even after everything that I've seen this is… hard."
A silence fell over the room as everyone patiently waited for Izuku to sort through everything. Himiko leaned against a wall enjoying the spectacle - after all it wasn't every day she got to witness such a breach of protocol where someone didn't end up dead. Shoto waited patiently for his friend to work through his feelings. And Ochako simply stood there and held him. Right now she knew that she wanted to support her boyfriend.
Izuku stood there, his emotions on full display as he tried to work through his thoughts. After what felt like an eternity, he finally closed his eyes and sighed. Without freeing himself, he turned around and faced his girlfriend.
"Ocha- I know I've told you that we need to keep this secret, but I- there's one more person I'd like to bring in."
"You know I trust you," Ochako reassured him.
"Who do you want to tell?" Shoto asked curiously.
Ochako released Izuku from his grasp and he spun around slowly to face his friend. "My cousin. Melissa."
"Why her?"
Izuku took a deep breath. "Because she's a scientist. And she's the one person I can guarantee doesn't have any supernatural abilities." He looked at Shoto and swallowed a lump in his throat. "Hopefully. I just - I think I need someone else to talk to. S-sorry."
"You don't need to be sorry," Ochako assured him. "I was merely keeping quiet for your sake."
"As long as you know the massive risk you're putting her in," Himiko said as her eyes drifted to Ochako. "Unlike you, she won't have anyone to protect her."
"Why not Tsu?" Shoto asked quietly.
"Do you think Tsu is ready to learn about you?" Izuku asked.
Shoto paused thoughtfully as he thought about it. "I don't know. It's been several years since I've seen her."
"Same," Izuku said sadly. Taking a deep breath, he retrieved his phone. "Alright. I'll… see if she's willing to talk. Ochako, can I ask you for a favor?"
Melissa Shield awoke to the sound of her cell phone going off. Half-awake and without her glasses, her hand blindly searched for the device until her fingers found it. Wrapping her hand around the phone she pulled it close to her face to see the number.
"Izu…" Melissa sighed before she hit the answer button. "What happened? Is it Auntie Inko or Uncle Toshi?"
"What?! No!" Izuku stammered on the other end of the line.
Melissa sat up as she heard the tone of panic in her cousin's voice. "You know what time it is, right?"
"I- yeah. Look I'm really sorry for calling so early, but it's important." Izuku replied.
"How important?"
"'Can you take a couple of days off of work' important?" Izuku asked nervously.
Melissa tensed up. "What? Why?"
"I- this is going to sound crazy but I want you to come to Japan for a few days."
"You want me to what!?" Melissa quietly poked herself with a fingernail to ensure she wasn't dreaming. She'd do it, of course. Something was up. But she wanted to make sure this was real first, and not some final dream before she woke up.
"I know. I'm sorry," Izuku apologized. "I just - I could really use someone right now."
"What happened?" Melissa froze. "Is it Ochako? I thought things were going great between the two of you!"
"Funny you mention her," Izuku laughed nervously. "This is the part that's gonna sound weird. How quickly can you get dressed and climb up to the roof of your apartment building."
Melissa felt a strange sensation in her stomach. Something was adding up - something was wrong and Izuku was trying to tell her and she couldn't figure it out! "Give me ten minutes, why?"
"Great. Call me back when you're up there," Izuku said hesitantly. "I- it'll all make sense in a bit, I promise!"
"I swear if this is some sort of elaborate hoax…" Melissa grumbled.
"It's not!" Izuku defended himself.
"Alright," Melissa said hesitantly. "I'll call you back when I'm ready."
"Thanks. I- well I'm going to owe you a lot for this."
"I'm sure I can think of a few things," Melissa replied. "Talk to you in a bit."
"See you soon."
Hanging up the phone, Melissa let out a resigned sigh as she saw her clock. Normally she'd be asleep for almost two more hours before she got ready for work, but right now sleep was the last thing on her mind. With a groan, she pushed herself out of bed. She just hoped whatever Izuku got himself embroiled in was worth it.
Eight minutes later, Melissa used her keycard to unlock the rooftop access and pushed the door open. Stepping out into the chill morning air, she wrapped her arms around herself and looked around at the lights of the early morning city skyline. Not seeing anything unusual, she finally fished her phone out of her pocket and called Izuku back.
"Hey Mel," Izuku answered, relief in his voice.
"Ok, I'm on the roof. Now what?"
"Can you look up?"
"Look up?" Melissa said as she turned her gaze skyward. "I see the sky. Not like I can see anything with the light pollution though."
"That's okay!" Izuku insisted. "Just- keep looking at the sky for a minute."
"Izuku," Melissa's voice grew concerned. "What is going on?"
"It's - I can't tell you on the phone," Izuku admitted. "Not that you'd believe me anyway."
"You're not instilling any confidence here," Melissa replied.
"I know," Izuku's frustration bled into his voice. "Things here are just- a lot and I need you right now and I promise this will all make sense… well it might not make sense but– ."
"And how is this going to help with that?" Melissa asked. "Shouldn't I be booking a flight to Japan instead?"
"Trust me I- hold on," Izuku said. Melissa recoiled as she heard a sound of glass shattering from the other end of the phone and was about to speak when he spoke again. "Where are you- oh there you are."
Melissa realized she was hearing Izuku twice and spun around - and screamed.
"Izuku! What the fuck is going on?!" Melissa shouted, thankful that she was outdoors.
Her cousin - who should be in Japan! - was standing less than twenty feet away from her! Behind him was a goth girl who appeared to be way too into it with the amount of gray body paint she was wearing.
"Hi Mel," Izuku said nervously as he rubbed the back of his head. "I um- this is why I couldn't tell you over the phone."
"You- but- how?" Melissa closed her eyes and took a deep breath before she counted to ten. Opening her eyes, she saw Izuku was still standing in front of her. "Ok, there has to be an explanation for this. Why are you in America?"
"Ehehe," Izuku looked at her before he turned and gestured to the girl beside him. "Let me introduce you to Ochako."
"Ochako? As in your girlfriend?"
"It is nice to meet you," Ochako greeted her. "Izuku has told me all about you."
"He did, did he?" Melissa's eyes darted between the two. "So what's that got to do with you being in America."
"Well… Ochako can create rifts that connect two points… anywhere in the world," Izuku explained.
"That is why I had Izuku tell you to look skyward," Ochako continued. "I did not know where you lived, so I needed to find you to hone in on my destination."
"You… were looking for me," Melissa said in disbelief. "How?"
"Yes," Ochako tilted her head skyward. "Once you stepped outside I was able to extend my sight and find you."
"That's… kinda creepy." Melissa shuddered.
"I promise I do not do it all the time," Ochako tried to assure the American girl. "But it was the easiest way to find you, and Izuku insisted that we hurry."
"Right," Melissa looked at her cousin. "So what is this about the 'create rifts that connect two points' thing?"
"That's what she does," Izuku insisted. "Ochako can tear holes in reality and use them to slip through different dimensions, effectively connecting two points together."
"Izuku," Melissa said with more than a hint of exasperation. "That's-"
"-scientifically impossible. I know."
"It is not impossible," Ochako stated plainly, "your experiences are just limited. Allow me to demonstrate."
Melissa heard a sound that was similar to glass breaking - but now that she heard it clearly she could tell that it wasn't quite right. Something was off about it. The next thing she knew she was staring at what looked to be a portal of some sort. And sure enough, Izuku's living room was on the other side. With Shoto sitting on the couch and some other girl she didn't recognize draped over his reclining chair.
"This- this is real," Melissa blinked as she stepped forward.
"Yeah," Izuku said softly.
Stopping, she saw the girl on the other side notice her. She gave her a huge (fanged!) smile and waved, causing Melissa to take a step back and whirl around to face her cousin. "Ochako isn't- there's more, isn't there?"
"Ochako was the easy part," Izuku admitted. "Himiko and Shoto were- I just needed someone else to talk to. Someone err… normal?"
"Izu, neither of us are normal," Melissa deadpanned.
Izuku laughed awkwardly and rubbed the back of his head. "I mean - not… supernatural. Just human."
Melissa sighed as her eyes turned back toward the portal. "This- this is huge! This could change everything we know about the universe!"
"Except humanity is not ready to accept it," Ochako pointed out.
"And there are a few groups who would kill us if we tried to spread the news around," Izuku winced.
Melissa's eyes went wide as she spun around to face Izuku. "And you're okay with all of this?"
"I- it made sense at the time! Up until it stopped making sense a few minutes ago!" Izuku said defensively.
Melissa sighed as she saw the look on her cousin's face. Crossing her arms, she gave him a fond smile. "That's just so- you. Fine, I'll come with you. But first I need a hot shower and a bag of clothes."
"Thanks, Mel," Izuku lunged forward to embrace his cousin in a hug. "I knew you'd do it."
"I just can't believe you actually found something like this," Melissa laughed softly as she returned the gesture. "We've always talked about it but those were always just childhood fantasies."
"That's what I thought too," Izuku admitted. "Then I met Ochako."
"Well," Melissa gave him a lopsided grin. "I guess I'll hear all about it soon." Pulling away she spun around to face Ochako. "When we're done though, I want to have a good long conversation about how this-" She jabbed a finger at the portal. "-works."
Ochako looked between Melissa and Izuku before she nodded. "I do not know if it will make sense, but I can try to put it in human terms."
"Good. Now then, let's go back to my place. I need to scream into a pillow and take a shower before we… go back to Japan."
Laughing awkwardly, Izuku took Ochako's hand as they followed his cousin back to the stairwell.