You all thought this would be an All Might's chapter, huh?
Case file #16: Nezu
"Dear Diary, there's a phrase that I really like.
'You can't make the same mistake twice. The second time you make it, it's not a mistake. It's a choice.'
Ten years ago, the head of Hero Public Safety Commision made a mistake, threatening the wrong person which he paid dearly for it.
If they're really making the same choice again, I'm afraid they deserve it this time."
"I understand you wish to talk to Midoriya-kun about [One for All], Yagi-kun." With his usual indifferent smile, Nezu looked down at the number One Hero, who was kneeling on the floor. "But I do not believe stalking the young man is the right way to go. Even Kayama-kun was weirded out by your actions."
Behind him, Chiyo and Sorahiko rubbing their own faces tiredly as they watched their old student being chewed out. The Heroic Foundation teacher only managed to nod as Nezu continued to speak.
"Now, instead of stalking him before classes start, ongoing, and end, have you tried approaching him during his working hours with Shuzenji-san?" Nezu asked. "I believe she is more than understanding to give you both some privacy."
"I did try that." Toshinori dejectedly answered. "But young Midoriya's friends are always with him. It's a different student everyday..."
"This I can confirm." Chiyo nodded, before she drove the sharp point of her cane onto Toshinori's back. "But have some decorum, would you?! That's my student you're stalking there!"
"Please stop calling it, 'stalking'!" Toshinori pleaded. "It's just difficult to ask the young man to speak privately with someone he doesn't know!"
"You're the number One Hero, you blonde oaf!" Sorahiko kicked him on his back. "Your face is everywhere! It's infuriating!"
"Now, now, Shuzenji-san, Torino-san. I believe Yagi-kun has learned his lesson." Nezu cackled as he was satisfied with the lecture. "Let me have a talk with the young man. It's a good opportunity to get to know the possible holder of [One for All], after all!"
"Nezu-sensei-"
"I will not reveal [One for All]." Nezu addressed the issue before it was even brought up. "I believe that's fit for the current holder. I'll just have a quick chat with the young man before setting up a meeting for you, Yagi-kun. Does that sound good?"
"Better than this one following him around!" Sorahiko grunted.
"I agree with the Goblin." Chiyo sighed.
Toshinori nodded.
"Excellent!" Nezu clapped his paws together. "I believe that concludes our meeting here! Good job, everyone!"
'He will make us millions!'
'I don't give a shit about money! This thing will put our names in history books! Quirk Animal, man!'
'One with Intelligence Quirk and an extended lifespan...!'
Nezu shook the memories away from his head as he once again gulped down the cup of coffee. The scar on his left eye itched. It always does whenever he has one of these awful nightmares...
Awful memories.
Setting down the cup of coffee with a growl, Nezu peaked out of the curtain. The sunlight immediately attacked his eyes. The realization that he had slept through the entire morning hit him as hard as the strength he used to pull the curtain closed.
With yet another groan, Nezu slowly made his way towards his laptop. However, before he could comfortably settle on it, he could hear his doorbell ring.
'Ding!'
Probably just some deliveries. Nezu opened his laptop and started typing.
'Ding! Ding!'
Maybe it's the HPSC with yet another proposal? That just makes it easier to ignore.
'Ding! Ding! Ding!'
Those kids down the hallway are persistent today. Nezu thought he scared them off quite surely last week.
'Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!'
Those CRC members are going aggressive today, huh? Maybe it's best to get some blackmail's materials on them after al-
"NEZU! IF YOU DON'T OPEN THIS DOOR RIGHT NOW, I'M GOING TO KICK IT DOWN!"
Dagnabbit, it was someone worse. Closing his laptop, Nezu made his way towards the door and opened it calmly.
"Shimura-san." He slightly bowed. "What brings you to my humble abode?"
"So you like Ultraman too?"
"MM!"
"Nonono, let me guess... Ultraseven?" Izuku thought for a moment.
"MM!"
"I knew it!" Izuku snapped his finger. "That season was peak Ultraman."
"Mm...?" Yui poked her index fingers together.
"Of course I'll watch it with you, Kodai-san." Izuku showed her a beaming smile. "When is good for you?"
"Mm?"
"If it's Friday, I can probably ask for a projector to use in here. Otherwise, we'll have to watch it on the computer which we might have to sit quite close together to wa-"
"MM!"
"Any day except for Friday? Got it." Izuku nodded.
Chiyo watched the conversation go on with absolute confusion. She shook herself off the shock and turned to her assistant.
"Are you... telepathic?" Chiyo asked.
"Erm... nope." Izuku held his head for a few seconds before answering.
"Then how the hell did... she didn't even... what?!"
"She talks fine." Izuku tilted his head confusingly, an action Yui mimicked. "What are you talking about?"
"I'm too sober for this..." Chiyo groaned. "Go home, Kodai. It's getting late."
"Mm." Yui crossed her arms.
"No, you are not using that tac- Oh hey, I can understand you, after all." Chiyo blinked in amazement. "Anyway, go home! It's an order!"
"She's right, Kodai-san." Izuku turned to Yui, who was tilting her head yet again. "I think I'll leave in... 15 minutes? Are you sure you want to wait."
"Mm."
"We'll meet at the front gate, then. I need to talk to Shuzenji-sensei a bit and then I'll pack up."
Yui gave him a thumbs up before exiting the room.
"That girl's a real mystery, huh?" Chiyo whistled.
"I don't see it, though." Izuku scratched his head thinking. "She doesn't talk but her body language conveys all her thoughts. She's very expressive."
"Maybe we should just agree that you operate on a level that mere mortals like me couldn't comprehend?" Chiyo declared. "We still need to address the notebook thing."
"What notebook thing?"
"Later." Chiyo interrupted. "You have a guest."
Before Izuku could voice his question, something... or rather, someone dropped from the ceiling. The creature in the suit stood proud on the chair with a cheerful smile as he introduced himself.
"Am I a dog, a mouse, a bear, or human? It's me, U.A.'s one and only principal Nezu!" Nezu cheered.
"Good afternoon, principal Nezu." Izuku slight bowed. "Shuzenji-sensei said you want to speak with me?"
"That is correct, Midoriya-kun!" Nezu cackled.
"May I ask what it is about?"
"Worry not, student of mine!" Nezu assured as he sat down on the chair and gestured Izuku to sit down on the one in front of him. At that cue, Chiyo quietly left the room. "I thought it is already past time I have a conversation with the school's first nurse! How are you today, Midoriya-kun?"
"There's the exam incoming, so just dandy, I suppose." Izuku shrugged as he brewed the tea. "But Shuzenji-sensei said I can help her with the Hero Course's treatment so there's that to look forward to."
"It's good that you are passionate about this job, Midoriya-kun." Nezu nodded. "Would you prefer to continue this after you have transferred to the Hero Course?"
Izuku froze in the middle of handing the cup of tea to Nezu. The chimera took it himself from Izuku's hand.
"You are here for a chance to transfer, after all." Nezu continued. "And I believe you are more than qualified for that transfer!"
"This is a bit... sudden." Izuku admitted.
"I agree. But the end of the day, it's your choice." Nezu pointed out. "Let's play out a scenario, then! Say I am giving you the transfer right now; Yes, or No, Midoriya-kun! If so, why?"
"I... I don't know." Izuku muttered. "I thought being a Hero was the fastest way to do it. But now... doing this... I just- it's different. I don't have to hurt anyone while still helping others. I've only ever wanted to help people. Doctor or Hero... it just doesn't matter anymore."
"What about Shuzenji-san? She's both." Nezu studied Izuku's expression. "There's that route for you to pursue."
"But Shuzenji-sensei can fight. With or without her Quirk." Izuku argued. "I would just be a... liability. What good can healing one person bring when another one collapse?"
"... I understand. Then please, take all the time you need to consider your options." Nezu conceded, reminding himself to have a talk with Nemuri and Chiyo. "I must apologies for dawning this on you so suddenly."
"No, please, it's not." Izuku chuckled sheepishly. "You just... gave me a lot to think is all."
"That's great to know, then!" Nezu clapped his paws together before jumping down from the chair. "I'm afraid I have taken enough out of your time today! I have someone who wishes to talk to you, and I believe he might be able to help you with your choices, if you would like?"
"That's fantastic, Nezu-sensei. Thank you."
"Great! Shuzenji-san will inform you about the details tomorrow! I believe Kodai-kun is waiting for you?"
"Ah, right!" Izuku quickly grabbed his bag and headed out of the room. Before he closed the door, he turned to Nezu.
"As for your first question... I might be wrong, but you always give that honey badger vibe."
Nezu showed a swift shocked expression before it turned into a nostalgic smile.
"You're still alive? Good." Nana firmly nodded as she welcomed herself inside. "Then I can personally kill you myself. You miss your first day at U.A."
"I start next week, Shimura." Nezu sighed as he closed the door.
"Teacher needs orientation too, Nezu!" Nana scoffed as she sat down on a chair. "I would've thought you're doing this to get fired if I didn't know you any better-"
Nana then proceeded to slam a letter with the word 'Resignation' on Nezu's table. The chimera took a look at it and just sighed.
"-which I fucking did." Nana glared at him. "Do I need to ask you to explain to me why?"
"It doesn't concern y-"
"Don't fucking use that on me." Nana rolled her eyes. " Why? "
"Because as I've told you multiple times before, I am not suitable to be a teacher!" Nezu snapped back at Nana. "In fact, I am the last... thing on this planet suitable for that job! What good can intelligence do when the person giving it is so... unhinged, Nana?! I don't eat, I barely sleep! Every time I do, I was back at that... place ...! The children aren't safe around me, Nana! No. One. Does!"
Nana stayed quiet throughout Nezu's outburst. Even when he was done and gasping for breath, Nana stayed quiet as she gently guided him into a chair. She still stayed quiet as she held his palms in her hands, guiding his breath with her own.
After Nezu had calmed down, Nana handed him a cup of water which the rat gratefully accepted. As Nezu slowly drank from the cup, Nana spoke in a soft, gentle tone.
"You remember Kotaro's birthday? The first time I took you to see my kids?"
Nezu nodded.
"Then you must remember how happy my daughter was when he played with you. Hell, you took over as her favorite uncle. Sorahiko was flabbergasted." Nana chuckled as Nezu also smiled slightly. "That's when I realized you should be a teacher. It's just... right."
"Nana, you know what happened to me." Nezu mumbled. "How can I be sure they'll be safe around me?"
"Because I saw it when you were playing with them. Your smile." Nana grinned. "A kind, soft and genuine one."
She then grabbed Nezu's resignation letter and handed it to him.
"I know you will be a great teacher, Nezu. Please, just give it a chance." Nana pleaded. "The children need someone who's been through darkness to guide them to the light."
Nezu shakily took the letter from Nana's hand. He stared at it for a few minutes in silence. With a tired sigh, he rubbed his eyes blackened from losing sleep.
And he tore the letter to pieces.
A/N: I think I forgot to put in 2 sections for the side story. I've already updated it so check it out if you want.
A/N #2: I don't like how I go for the conversation between Izuku and Nezu, though. I might update it if I can think of a better one.