Welcome back! I hope you all have been doing well and are ready to enjoy another chapter!
As Izuku entered his apartment, he could hear his mom talking. Izuku gave a soft greeting which earned him a wave. With a smile, Izuku stepped into the kitchen as his mom sat talking on the phone surrounded by paper and pens.
"Hisashi, Izuku just got home. Do you want to talk to him?" Inko asked to the phone. Izuku could not make out the response but soon enough the phone was handed to him.
"Hello?" Izuku asked putting the phone up to the ear.
"Hi Izuku," the rough voice of his father greeted him.
"Hey dad, how are you?"
"I'm doing well, just finished up a big project. In fact, I'm coming back to Japan for a week."
Izuku's breath hitched upon hearing that.
"Really?" Izuku said, "Will you be able to visit us for a bit? Or is it a pure business trip?"
"Sadly, it will be mostly business but I'm sure I will be free during the evenings for dinner at least. I'd be staying at a hotel so I won't be able to see you in the mornings," Hisashi said causing Izuku to droop a bit. Not that he expected different really. "There is one thing I wanted to ask both of you though. At the end of the week that I'm there, I will be attending a Hero's Gala for business. I was wondering if you would be interested in going, Iuzku."
Izuku for his part was frozen shocked. A chance to go to a Hero's Gala was like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The shock was so strong that Izuku did not realize Inko took the phone from him until she was talking.
"What did you ask Izuku that caused him to go catatonic?" Inko asked into the phone amused. That amusement quickly shifted to shock. "Really? You can bring the both of us? Are you sure you want to be bringing your ex to such an event?"
Izuku was not sure what his dad said to his mom but from the gentle smile she wore, it must have been a good thing. Inko handed the phone back to Izuku.
"Dad? I would love to go to the Hero gala with you."
Izuku did not have to see Hisashi to know that he had a wide smile. It was clear from the pleased sigh Izuku heard from his dad.
000
Rumi was originally going to skip the event, but since the Midoriyas were going she would too. Inko proposes the idea of them all wearing matching colors which made Rumi excited to actually dress up instead of some basic slacks and a shirt.
000
"So what's got Mama Inko in a bustle for?" Rumi asked as she snacked on chips. Izuku and Rumi were watching some martial arts movies as Inko ran around in the background.
"My dad invited us to the Hero Gala in two weeks. So mom is busy trying to find her nice jewelry." Izuku said taking notes on the movie.
Rumi paused it forcing Izuku to look over.
"Wait, hold on, your dad? I thought he was not in the picture," Rumi said with a confused look.
"He's not. Maybe, I guess it's a bit more complicated than that." Izuku scratched his head. "He and mom's marriage did not work and instead of trying to make things work for my sake, they decided splitting was better. He apparently also had some past history of abuse and he did not trust himself around me. So dad works overseas and regularly sends us money. I know mom tried to talk him out of it when she started working again. He insisted though that he'll fulfill his duty of providing for me until adulthood. He may be a non-existent dad, but he at least has some sense of responsibility." Izuku shrugged. "He's been trying to make up for not being there for me as a kid and I'm not crazy enough to turn down a chance to go to a Hero Gala."
"How's he even getting you in there? Is he a hero or something?"
"No, he works for the Yaoyarozu Conglomerate. He said something about securing a number of up-and-rising hero merch deals and his bosses wanted him to meet with some of the heroes he secured the deals with. He apparently managed to talk them into getting us tickets too."
"That's nice of him, also means I can just hang around you and Mama Inko while I'm there too." Rumi sat back with a smug smile.
Izuku began to bounce in his seat.
"Wait you're going to? This will be great! Can you introduce me to some of the heroes that you worked with?"
"You're going to the gala too, Rumi-chan?" Inko asked stopping by the sofa. After getting a nod from the bunny girl, Inko also began bouncing. "Excellent, it'll be a nice family event. We should go see Mitsuki together and get some matching clothes. I think a green vest will look good for you Izuku-chan."
Rumi watched as Izuku tried to fight the green vest idea and just go in a green suit, a lime green suit. Inko was not having that and was sure Mitsuki would not either. Though Rumi was not even safe as Inko turned to her and was busy trying to figure out if Rumi would look better in a dark green suit or just a simple dark green shirt with black pants. When Izuku suggested the idea of getting Rumi's moon symbol on their clothes or accessories, Rumi was full-on blushing.
"You don't have to do that," Rumi stammered out, "I'm just glad you're planning on letting me wear clothes I like and have them match with you both."
Inko and Izuku merely shared a look before Inko said, "Right, it's decided, we're getting your moon somewhere near the heart. Cause that's where you will always be." Inko gave Rumi a cheeky smile.
The rabbit hero was blushing like mad, almost to the point her ears were also red.
"That's the corniest yet sweetest thing I've ever heard." Rumi buried her face in her hands.
Try as she might, Rumi could not hide her tears from Inko and Izuku. Who of course was close to being in tears as well.
000
"Dude, you're so damn lucky, to be able to go to the Hero Gala is like once in a lifetime chance," Kirishima said. "I wish I could go."
"Sorry Kirishima, dad was only able to get the few spots he did because he works for the hosts. Rumi might have been able to bring one person along," Izuku said.
"But it'd be unfair to whoever did not get to go," Kyoka finished with a sigh. "I admit, I'm jealous Green, but what can we do?"
"Train hard to be good heroes so we can go to the galas together in the future?" Izuku offered.
Mina pulled the three together, "That's a plan I can get behind! We just got to go plus ultra!"
"You're not even in U.A. yet." Himiko deadpanned, "why are you using their motto?"
"Because All Might quotes it all the time too, besides I think it's a good motto." Mina said crossing her arms in a huff. "Now are we going to help Izuku with his nonexistent dancing skills?"
"I'm not that bad," Izuku whined.
Everyone just looked at Izuku like he was dumb.
"Midori-kun, I don't mean to knock you, but like, even after all our games of DDR you still manage to trip over your own feet more than not."
"Yeah, Midori-bro, your un-gracefulness really shines anywhere outside of heroism."
Himiko and Kyoka said nothing as they simply nodded along.
Izuku sighed seeing them all against him.
"Do you even know how to do ballroom dances?"
Izuku's question stopped Mina cold. She wilted in defeat.
"Ugg, no I only know contemporary and break dancing. None of those formal ones," Mina said with defeated eyes.
"The lord has blessed me with an opportune moment to arrive them." A voice from the door said drawing everyone's attention.
"Shiozaki-bro! Do you know ballroom dancing?" Kirishima asked.
"I do," Shiozaki said pulling setting her bag down and pulling out some tape. "It is a blessing to meet all of you today. I hope that we may all get along." Shiozaki bowed in greeting.
"Aww you're so cute Shiozaki-chan!" Himiko said gushing.
"Yo," Kyoka said with a two-finger salute.
"Another green head!" Mina said cheering. "Too bad Tsu couldn't make it. We would have had a trio of green."
"Yeah shame neither Yanagi, Dark Shadow, and Tokoyami couldn't make it either," Kyoka said.
Shiozaki scratched her cheek.
"I'm a little grateful that there are not more here. I do not believe I could teach such a large class suddenly," Shiozaki said.
"No sweat girl! We're grateful that you're here to help this hopeless case," Mina said throwing an arm around Izuku's shoulder.
"I'm not hopeless," Izuku said with a pout.
"Allow me to be the judge of that," Shiozaki said as she began to tape the floor.
000
"You're hopeless," Shiozaki said staring at Izuku on the ground after he tripped over his own feet… for the fifteenth time in five minutes.
"Shio-chan," Izuku whined giving Shiozaki large puppy dog eyes.
Mina and Kirishima were dancing together in their own tape square while Kyoka and Himiko did the same. Their amusement was clear in their eyes as they watched the green pair.
"Let's take a break everyone," Shiozaki said turning off the music. While everyone else got water to drink, Shiozaki sat down next to Izuku. "I have seen you go through fighting forms without an ounce of hesitation or slip-ups. Is something bothering you today?"
Izuku brought his legs to his chest and curled in on himself. Shiozaki hesitated for a moment before putting an arm around him. Izuku leaned in close and laid his head against her shoulder. Shiozaki was blushing as she looked around the room but the others were simply giving the two space. Only occasionally looking over at them.
"I'm scared Shiozaki." Izuku finally answered, breaking the silence. "This could be so many future mentors and coworkers' first impression of me. What if I mess up, what if I embarrass or offend them? I couldn't forgive myself if I ruined things for Rumi or my Dad."
"We are children," Shiozaki said causing Izuku to look up. "We will not be perfect, we will make mistakes. But making mistakes is what makes us human. It's how a person acts after making a mistake that tells whether or not they are a good or bad person. So long as you own up to your mistakes and simply do your best to be the kind person you are then you have nothing to fear." Shiozaki squeezed Izuku's shoulder. "I consider myself blessed to have met you and call you my friend. Anyone who you'll meet there will feel the same. Of that, I have no doubt."
"Thank you Shiozaki-chan," Izuku said curling up against the girl once more.
"Of course, Midoriya-kun." Shiozaki laid her head against his. "Would you mind if I asked you to call me Ibara or Shio-chan?"
"Sure thing Ibara-chan, you can call me Izuku too."
The two sat together for a moment before Ibara gently pushed Izuku off. The boy let out a small whine but stood up with Ibara.
"Shall we begin our practice again?" Ibara said turning on the music and holding out a hand to Izuku. Izuku gave a sheepish smile before taking it and moving into position too. "Remember, one, two, three, four, one, two, three, four."
It took Izuku and Ibara a few minutes of making mistakes before they started to get into a rhythm. Soon enough the two were gliding across the floor. Well, Ibara was while Izuku was managing to not look clumsy.
The two had bright smiles as they continued to practice. They switched partners with the others as well and by the time the teens left, Izuku was confident he was not going to step on any toes on the dance floor.
000
Inko was fretting about in the hallway looking at her make-up mirror. Izuku watched quietly as she constantly made sure her hair was in place and her jewelry was clean.
A knock on the door interrupted her fretting. Taking a deep breath Inko opened the door to find Hisashi standing there dressed in a dark red suit. Which matched his own fluffy dark red hair.
Izuku was always told he inherited his father's hair. It was strange to him to see it confirmed.
"Hello Inko, Izuku," Hisashi said bowing slightly. "I am sorry I was never able to come over before tonight."
"We understand Hisashi, this was a business trip for you," Inko said patting him on the arm. "You managed to get your tie on right."
"Oh no, my manager was the one that made sure I looked presentable," Hisashi said embarrassed.
"They did a good job then, managed to make you look put together for once," Inko said jokingly.
"Not as good as Mitsuki did making yours and Izuku's clothes for tonight." Hisashi looked over Inko and Izuku. "You look very handsome Izuku."
"T-thank you," Izuku stuttered at being suddenly addressed.
Looking at his watch, Hisashi motioned for Inko and Izuku to follow him.
"If we wish to be there on time, we best leave now," Hisashi said leading the two down the apartment complex stairs. Izuku and Inko stopped short when they saw the limo waiting for them.
"A limo really?" Inko said nervously playing with her hair.
"My manager insisted that this was the only way to arrive. As a head up, she is waiting in there as well. She wanted to meet you," Hisashi said rubbing the back of his head.
"Oh? Have you found someone else?" Inko said walking forward, her nervousness being replaced with curiosity.
"Er, workplace relationships is frowned upon."
Izuku snorted, "That sounds like the most B-movie rom-com excuse ever."
Hisashi chuckled a little while blushing, "I feel seen through after that comment." Hisashi opened the door. As Inko and Izuku entered and took a seat they were greeted by a brunette foreigner.
"It is a pleasure to meet you both, I'm Sarah." Sarah's Japanese was very clear and could have easily been mistaken for a native. She reached out and shook Inko's hand. "I apologize for intruding on your family reunion."
"Depending on your answer to my next question depends on whether I can forgive you or not," Inko said with an innocently feral smile.
"Ah, um, what is it?" Sarah asked trying not to stutter.
"Are you and Hisashi together?"
Hisashi was frozen stiff and pale as a ghost. While Sarah blushed deeply.
"I…er… yes, yes we are together. I'm sor-" Sarah was cut off by Inko breathing a sigh of relief.
"I'm happy for the both of you." Inko gave the two a warm smile. "Honestly, I'm glad you finally found someone, Hisashi. How long have you been together?"
"It's been about two years," Hisashi answered shyly.
"I'm glad you're finally moving on," Inko said patting Hisashi on the shoulder. "Please take care of him." Inko bowed slightly to Sarah who was very panicked.
"I-I-I do my best," Sarah said completely befuddled.
Izuku watches all this silently. Unsure how to feel about any of this and simply observing.
Inko moved to sit next to Sarah as the two began to talk. Hisashi took this time to move closer to Izuku.
"After the gala, the business part of my trip will be over. Would you be alright spending the day with me? I believe we have a lot to talk about." Hisashi spoke softly with a lot of hesitance in his voice.
Hundreds of questions ran through Izuku's head but he only answered with a simple nod. Hisashi had a small smile.
"Inko said you enjoy analyzing quirks? Any that caught your interest so far?" Hisashi asked.
Izuku's eyes lit up, "One of my friend's quirk gives them prehensile earlobes with audio jacks at the ends. Through them, she is able to send out sound waves of her heartbeat. We've been experimenting trying to increase the frequency of her soundwaves and maybe cause a resonant frequency able to shatter different materials."
"That sounds very useful for heroics. Are they planning on going into heroics?"
Izuku nodded, giving Hisashi a wide smile.
"All of my friends want to be heroes and are training hard to do so." Izuku wilted a little in on himself. "I don't have strong quirks like them, but I'm going to train my hardest to be able to stand by their side."
Hisashi admired the determined look on Izuku's face before giving the boy a pat.
"I believe you will make a fine hero, Izuku."
Caught off guard, Izuku began to cry tears of happiness while smiling.
"It is a Midoriya trait to tear up easily," Inko explained to Sarah. "We believe it's infectious too."
Sarah laughed, while Hisashi tried to hide his own tears.
000
As the limo pulled to a stop before the hall hosting the gala. Izuku gulped as he saw the sea of press that waited for them.
"They won't be taking any pictures of any non-heroes. If they did and released it, the Yaoyarozu lawyers would rake them through the coals," Sarah said easing some of the nervousness from Izuku.
Hisashi and Sarah were the first two to leave the limo. Hisashi helping Sarah out. Izuku and Inko followed suite, with Izuku helping Inko.
Izuku felt his heart racing as he walked the red carpet but none of the reporters paid him even an ounce of attention. He could feel Inko tighten her grip on his arm but otherwise seemed unphased.
When they entered the hall, soft music from a live band greeted them. Everywhere Izuku looked a hero stood. Whether they were in costume or dressed up for the gala, Izuku had no trouble identifying them.
Hisashi and Sarah led them to a table in the corner of the hall. As they were sitting down, another person joined their table. Before anyone else could react, Inko was fussing over the person.
"Rumi, dear, how can you mess up a bowtie? A snap-on bowtie at that? Izuku, give me the spare tie I told you to bring." Inko took off Rumi's snap-on and stashed it away in her purse. Taking the extra tie that Izuku handed her, Inko wasted no time tying it around Rumi's neck.
"Mamadoriya, please, this is embarrassing," Rumi said blushing. "At least let me tie it myself."
"Do you know how to properly tie one?" Inko asked with a raised eyebrow.
Rumi looked away blushing, "No."
With a smug smile, Inko finished tying. After smoothing out Rumi's collar, Inko took in the rabbit hero's appearance. She wore a simple outfit, a dark green shirt, black slacks, and the newly added black tie. Over her heart was her moon symbol, which matched with Inko's and Izuku's placement as well.
"Mamadoriya?" Hisashi asked Izuku softly.
"Mom likes to mother everyone, so my friends often call her that. Rumi came up with it as well since mom all but adopted her." Izuku answered with a fond smile as Rumi was fussed over.
"You're okay with getting an older sister?"
"Yeah, Rumi is awesome, she's been helping me train to be a hero!"
"Miruko is helping you train?" Sarah asked slightly in disbelief.
"Not only him, but his friends as well. Dedicated bunch they are," Rumi answered for Izuku.
"Does that not take a lot of time out of your heroics to teach them?" Sarah asked.
"Oh it does, but it's hard to turn down those kiddos. In some way, they reminded me of how I was as a kid. I'm just trying to look out for them as I probably needed back then." Rumi leaned around Inko and ruffled Izuku's hair. "It helps keep this one from attracting trouble."
Izuku pouted but before he could say anything, Hisashi gasped as he pulled out his phone. It took seconds before he pulled something up and showed it to Rumi.
"Was this Izuku?" Hisashi asked as he played the video. The video showed a green-haired boy rushing to save a mousey redhead girl from falling debris. Before either could get hurt, Miruko ditches her fight and destroys the debris into dust.
"Oh, I didn't know someone got that clip on camera. Look at you Izuku, already famous," Rumi said causing Izuku to blush.
Inko sighed upon seeing the clip. She was well aware of what happened, but it still worried her to see it for the first time. Hisashi for his part looked both proud and worried as he put his phone away. Izuku had a good heart that was for sure, he just wished it did not put him in the way of danger.
"Don't worry about Izuku, I've made sure he learned from his mistake. Should he ever find himself in a similar situation, he knows how to handle it." Rumi gave Izuku a raised eyebrow, "right Teiboku-chan?"
"Yes, Usagi-nee," Izuku said with a crooked grin, "I need to roll myself and/or hostage out of the way or tackle with enough strength to clear the debris." Rumi nodded her approval while Inko and Hisashi shared a look. One mixed of pride and concern.
"Rumi, didn't you want to take Izuku to meet some of your co-workers?" Inko asked.
"Oh yeah, you ready?"
Izuku's eyes lit up as he was beside Rumi in seconds with a notebook out. He did not say anything as he rapidly nodded his head. Rumi laughed as stood up and put an arm around Iuzku's shoulder to go show him off.
"Well, I guess I wasn't really needed to introduce him to heroes." Hisashi leaned back but he had a warm smile. "I'm glad he's got good role models in his life."
"You know you can still be a part of his life," Inko said looking at Hisashi, "You may never be the father you wished you had as a kid. But you can at least be an example of responsibility."
"I don't think what I did was very responsible though," Hisashi frowned.
"You've provided for me and Izuku no matter what happened between us. While I doubt anyone is going to give you Father of the Year awards. You at least never failed to be there for us in your own way. And you're trying your best to do what's right now."
Hisashi relented at Inko's point. He failed as a father, but he hasn't failed as an adult yet.
000
Rumi and Izuku walked up to a pair of heroes that had Izuku bouncing with every step. Dragoon Hero: Ryukyu and Killer Whale Hero: Gang Orca, or Ryuko and Kugo as Rumi always called them. When she wasn't calling them dumb nicknames of course. Ryuko was in a red dress very similar to her hero outfit while Kugo was dressed up in a tux.
"Lizard breath, oversized fish, I got someone I want you to meet," Rumi said calling out to them.
"For the last time you damn bunny, whales are not fish." Kugo gave Rumi who just shrugged.
"Smell like one to me," Rumi said with a teasing smile. Kugo reached up like he was about strangle Rumi before Ryuko smacked his shoulder.
"You should know giving into her teasing only makes it worse," Ryuko said with a deadpan look. "Do you have to antagonize him everytime?"
"Of course I do," Rumi said with a mock offended voice. Ryuko only rolled her eyes as she turned to Izuku.
"Are you the Teiboku-chan that Rumi is always speaking of?"
Izuku blushed a little, "Did you really have to introduce me like that to them?"
"Of course I did! Ryuko, Kugo, this kit here is Izuku. He's one of the kiddos that I'm helping train."
"It's nice to meet you Izuku," Ryuko said bowing.
"It's an honor to meet you as well Ryukyu-san. I would be most grateful if you would be willing to sign my notebook." Izuku bowed low while holding out his notebook and a pen. Taking the notebook from the boy, Ryuko found the notebook to be on a page about her. She read through the thorough analysis of her. While the analysis often went off into tangents that Ryuko knew would not lead anywhere. She was surprised at how many questions popped up that Ryuko never thought to ask herself. Ryuko signed near the well-done sketch of herself and her dragoon form that she admired for a moment.
When Ryuko tried to hand the notebook back she found that Izuku was busy asking Kugo about his quirk and some of the different applications it could be used.
"Finally done reading?" Rumi said standing next to Ryuko.
"Yes, it was very insightful and has raised some questions within me that I now wish to seek answers for. He has a very inquisitive mind."
"He really does," Rumi agreed, "actually, I was going to ask if you could help me train him."
"You want my help? Truely? Miss Battle Bunny "teams hold me back" Miruko wants help?" Ryuko said teasingly causing Rumi to blush angrily.
"Yes okay, while I'm no slouch in investigative works and quick battle analysis. I know I'm not the best teacher to push his mind forward as well."
"You're really invested in him," Ryuko said.
"Yeah, he reminds me a lot of how I was as a kid. Before I said fuck it and just went full battle junkie. I want to show him that he doesn't need a powerful quirk to be able to go out and help people. That he just needs to keep wanting to do so."
"That's very respectable of you," Ryuko said. "I'd be happy to think of some lessons and activities that you can pass on to him."
Rumi gave the dragoon hero a small but warm smile, "Thanks Ryuko."
The two continued to watch as Kugo started to sweat underneath Izuku's ever-growing questions.
000
After getting Kugo to sign his notebook, Izuku was allowed to explore on his own. So with shining eyes, Izuku walked around excited to be surrounded by so many heroes.
As he was wandering around the gala, snacking on the hors d'oeuvres that the waiters offered. Trying to hide his disgust after eating one that had caviar, Izuku spotted a girl about his age sitting by herself. Her hair was done up in a large ponytail and the red dress she wore was very flattering. But the thing that really caught his attention was how she looked.
Bored and lonely.
Swallowing down his nervousness, and the horrible hors d'oeuvres, Izuku took a seat next to the girl. The girl perked up seeing him and put on a smile that did not quite reach her eyes.
"H-h-hi," Izuku said before clearing his throat. "I did not expect to run into someone my age here."
The girl's smile was less tense as she answered, "There are usually others our age that show up to these events. It just seems we were unlucky that they deemed not to show tonight." The girl held out a hand, "I do not believe we have met before. Is this your first gala?"
Shyly, Izuku took the offered hand, turned it, and gave a chaste kiss on the girl's knuckles. Izuku's face was fully red as he looked up, the girl's cheek was colored darkly but Izuku did not see any hint of repulsion or rejection.
"I was told it was appropriate to greet a lady like that at events like this." Izuku scratched his cheeks. "As you can probably guess, yes this is my first time being at an event like this. My dad was able to bring my mom and me as guests."
"Oh? What does your father do?" the girl asked as her blush faded.
"He works as an analyst for the Yaoyarozu Conglomerate." Izuku noticed that the girl wilted a bit hearing the Yaoyarozu name. He wondered if the girl did not like them or something. Moving the conversation along, Izuku asked the most important question. "Who's your favorite hero?"
"My favorite hero?" the asked blinking.
"Yeah," Izuku gave her a beaming smile, "We're at a hero gala! There has to be someone here or elsewhere that you look up to."
"Oh well…" the girl trailed off before answering, "I'm a big fan of Midnight. She's a big advocate of self-confidence and understanding of one's own image. That the you that really matters is the one you want to be."
"Ooh, I agree, Midnight is super awesome. Because of her first hero costume, new laws had to be created regarding decency. But I think she was definitely a hero that was needed to show that a person should not be afraid to simply be themselves."
The girl nodded as her eye drifted to the crescent moon that was on Izuku's breast pocket.
"That looks a lot like Miruko's symbol. Are you a big fan of hers?"
Izuku eyes shined, "You know of Miruko? Yeah, I'm a big fan of hers. And you're right, this is her symbol here."
"Miruko's climb up the ranks is very inspiring. Her no-nonsense attitude yet caring nature is one I can respect. There are days I wish I could be more like her," the girl sighed, "too many people only see me for my family. I wish I could simply ignore them."
"If you were to ask Miruko how to be more like her I know she will tell you something like, 'If they annoy you, kick their ass. If they insult you, serve their ass to them on a platter. If they try to harm you, you break them down to an inch of their life till they're begging you to just end them.'" Izuku said with a near perfect imitation of Miruko.
The girl blinked before giggling, "you even captured her mannerisms. I can certainly see her saying that too."
"It's probably because the runt was quoting me," an amused Miruko said from behind the pair.
The girl jumped up in shock and was blushing red while Izuku rolled his eyes.
"I was not, I was paraphrasing you. Quoting you would be novel of other quotes stolen from cooler people than you," Izuku said.
The girl gasped in shock at the blatant sass while Miruko laughed loudly.
"Calling me a bag of hot air huh? I'll kick the shit out of you for that later," Miruko said. If possible the girl seemed to go into deeper shock.
"You were going to do that anyways," Izuku said with a shrug. "I lose nothing."
"That's my little bro," Rumi barked out a laugh while patting Izuku on the shoulder.
"Wait, you are family?" the girl asked.
"In all ways that matter, I think of Izuku and Mamadoriya as family." Rumi ruffled Izuku's hair. "That's why we came wearing matching outfits. If they weren't showing up, I'd probably skip. Not enough action here for me."
"I thought you were having fun talking to Ryuko-nee and Kugo-nii?" Izuku asked.
"Eh, they're fine. Nothing against them, but I'd rather be kicking shit." Rumi turned to the girl. "Anyways, what's your name?"
"Oh, I'm Momo Yaoyarozu," Momo said bowing and trying to stand tall.
"Rumi Usagiyami, or as you know Miruko. Anyways, Izuku was right. Never take shit from anyone, don't give shit to anyone who doesn't deserve it, and always remember the reason why you're fighting. For me, it's the people I hold dear and those who can't fight for themselves yet. That's who I fight for."
"Oh, Izuku Midoriya," Izuku said bowing, "Sorry for not introducing myself."
"I should be the one apologizing. I was purposely trying to avoid introducing myself." Momo grimaced a little at the confession.
"Why?" Izuku asked tilting his head.
Rumi sighed and gently knocked on Izuku's head.
"Use some of your brains please, I know you have it."
Izuku continued to stare blankly until the realization hit him.
"Oh, Yaoyarozu as in the Yaoyarozu Conglomerate." Izuku thumped a fist into his palm. "That makes sense now. You probably didn't want some stranger trying to flatter you up." Izuku tilted his head to the side before bowing rapidly. "I'm sorry if I gave you the impression of trying to take advantage of you for your family name."
"It is quite alright," Momo said waving her arms flustered, "I'm sorry I was so suspicious of you in the beginning."
Rumi watched with an amused smirk as Momo and Izuku got into a loop of apologies. Her ears twitched as the band began playing once more. A song she recognized from Izuku's countless hours of practice.
Patting the two teens on the back snapping them out of their loop of apologies, how did they get to apologizing to each other about the weather, Rumi gave them a weird grin.
"Izuku, it seems the dancing has started. You should take Momo for a spin."
Izuku erupted into a blush as he turned to Momo. Clearing his throat and bowing with one arm behind his back and his right outstretched. Izuku hoped he was copying Mina's rom-com movies decently.
"Would you grant me a dance, my lady?"
Momo blushed before giggling. Taking the hand Momo gave him a genuine smile.
"I guess I shall honor your request," Momo said.
Izuku smiled as he lead the two out to the dance floor. As they were dancing, with a surprising bit of confidence, Izuku dipped Momo. The girl was surprised but she had a wide smile. Ibara deserved a really nice gift for teaching him. The two continued to dance together, eventually Momo taking the lead as Izuku used up all his knowledge.
Rumi watched with a proud smile as she made her way back to where Inko was gossiping with Sarah. Rumi was surprised to learn the man that came to her with merch deals was also the father of Izuku. Even if they were estranged, Rumi could see the likeness between the two.
Pausing, Rumi turned back to look at the dance floor to see that Momo was laughing at something Izuku said. With a soft smile she went to go find Ryuko and ask her for a dance. It would not be right for Izuku to have all the fun.
I hope you all enjoyed this chapter. Lots to talk about here, so feel free to skip this A/N.
So Hisashi made an appearance. I was inspired by how One for all and Eight for Nine handled Hisashi, and wanted to incorporate some of those ideas into this story too. I also wanted to show a take on how someone might be trying to change themselves to be better. Everyone faces their demons differently after all.
I was really happy with how the teens practicing dancing bit went. Introducing Ibara to a larger group of friends while still giving her and Izuku more chances to bond on screen. I know there are many other characters that need more screen time too, don't worry I get to them as well.
Ryuko and Kugo also got to make a brief appearance! They'll be showing up more in the future I think. At least I want them too.
Finally, Momo has appeared! There is not enough of Momo here for my taste. But dragging out this chapter anymore felt a bit much. I always thought Momo and Izuku would get along great if they got more chance to interact so I hope I get to show that here. That and Izuku clumsily stumbling over high-society customs here seemed like a fun interaction. At least I can appease myself with more Momo in the future.
Also, I swear I don't mean to write Rumi into everything but it's just so easy to write her and I enjoy just her and Izuku interacting as they do.
A few review replies that include things others might find interesting. Thank you to everyone that reviewed, it means very much to me and I greatly enjoy reading them.
Typomanical: This reply is to the on you did on chapter 11. I'm glad you're enjoying the story. It's funny how you complain about most how most quirkless Izuku make him like batman when that was kinda my plan to build this up too. Less of the fancy gadgets, cause others could fill that role, but more on the empathetic and compassionate character that batman is behind his dark facade. Which I agree is also a very Mumen Rider/Spiderman character trait as they too care very much for the everyman.
To the Guest review about chapter 16: To your point about Stain not seeing Izuku as a hero for accepting gifts. I think it's a difference of cultures. Now I'm not from Japan nor am I some sort of expert. There is a stereotype in Asian shows, both anime and other countries shows that if you are liked or popular then local merchants are likely to give free goods as gifts of appreciation. While you can try to deny it, in the eyes of Asian cultures it's very rude too. So Izuku would be someone to accept that. It's not like he is trying to take advantage of the merchants so I see no issues both story and culture-wise for Stain to raise a stink. But that is a point to consider more later.
To your point about Izuku and where he wears his bands. He has two arms, and I feel he would be someone to swap bands around. A collection that he picks and chooses from.
Update schedule will be irregular for a bit still, still rotating through my other stories as well and time is limited for me. But I hope you continue to enjoy regardless.
I hope everyone has a great day!
PK OUT!