Case file #18: Shiozaki Ibara
"Dear Diary….
Holy shit she has the childhood friend subplot and she might actually win this war."
"I'm heading out now~." Izuku announced with a low voice. "Be back before dinner."
"Are you sure going out now is a good idea, Izuku-kun?" Rei concernedly asked. "It's only been 2 days-"
Shh! Shh! Shh!" Izuku quickly shushed her in a panic. "Mom and sis are still sleeping. This is my only chance to sneak out!"
"Right, sorry." Rei whispered at the same volume as Izuku. "But shouldn't you still be resting? Just 2 days ago, you were bleeding from…. Well, everywhere."
"I was knocked out before the bleeding, so it wasn't like I remembered anything." Izuku shrugged.
"What about those voices you said you heard before you were knocked out?" Rei wondered. "7 different voices, wasn't it? I was a patient at a psychiatric hospital, Izuku-kun. I know what is concerning and what's not. That's definitely in the 'concerning' category."
"It's probably the teachers' voices." Izuku waved it off. "I was pretty much a bleeding mess at that point."
"So you admit you were made a mess, thus admitting that you should rest?"
"..." Izuku gulped. "You are surprisingly scary, Rei-san."
"I am a mother of 4, Izuku-kun." Rei grinned. "I know how to deal with kids. Now, either rest or help me with breakfast. Or lunch, for the two sleeping ogresses in there."
"Rei-san~." Izuku pouted. "It's the weekend! I promise I'll be back before dinner. I'll even get some groceries on the way back!"
Rei was locked in a staring competition with Izuku's puppy eyes for a rough 5 minutes (for her). Then, with a defeated sigh, Rei conceded.
"I'll call you to check up. If you don't pick up, I'm bringing Inko."
With a beaming smile, Izuku nodded and left the house. Rei had to wonder how Fuyumi was able to deal with her students.
Speaking of, she should tell Izuku about her children coming to visit next weekend.
"Moving? Why all of a sudden?"
Izuku sat up from his bed, tiredly answering his mother. Even though it's been almost a year since Izuku became like this, the pain and guilt that Inko felt just kept getting worse and worse.
"It's…. complicated, honey." Inko steeled her heart and answered. "But to put it simply, I have a bad feeling about this area. Besides, the area we're moving to is pretty quiet and calm. The neighbors seem really nice, too. It'll be good for you. It's also closer to my job."
"... So I have to say g- goodbye to the Bakugou's? To aunt Mitsuki and uncle Masasru? To Kacchan? To Kai-nee?" Izuku asked with a shaky voice.
"... For now, yes." Inko nodded, not daring to meet his eyes. "But you can still see them from time to time! I promise! I'm sure little Katsuki would be thrilled to come over and visit us!"
Instead of responding, Izuku only nodded sadly. Holding his hands up, Inko noticed Izuku's sadness turned into one of conflict. Ever since this Quirk came in, Izuku's life has completely changed. Izuku was only allowed to even go to school all thanks to his extreme stubborness. Even then, he could only watch as his friends went out and played among themselves while he couldn't even run. He had to endure people giving him a look of annoyance or pity.
Inko had to watch her son who was so full of energy, happiness and innocence-ness being slowly taken away by his Quirk.
"Izuku?" Ibara looked up from her book and smiled upon seeing a familiar tired face. "I did not expect to see you today."
"I had to sneak out." Izuku explained with a smile as he put on the apron. "Mom was very adamant about me resting up for the rest of this weekend."
"Considering the event that transpired from what I heard, I must agree with her, Izuku." Ibara clasped her hands together. "Though I am grateful that you are here to help us, I am inclined to wrap you up and tie you into a bed."
"What happened to no Quirk use in public?"
"That does not seem to deter you throughout our whole childhood, does it?" Ibara smiled.
"What happened to the rule-abiding Ibara that I know and love?" Izuku dramatically gasped. "What have you done to her? Where is she, you harlot?"
"Clearly, she is incapable of making you understand the importance of remaining healthy." Ibara flicked Izuku's forehead.
"Boo~." Izuku booed. "I liked her more."
Ibara giggled. "Fine, you can help me with distributing the food. The children like you more than me, anyway. I'll take care of the rest."
"You sure?" Izuku raised an eyebrow. "That's a lot of work for one person to handle."
"My vines can help me. I'm allowed to use my Quirk within the church's premises." Ibara explained. "It's good practice for the upcoming exam."
"There's my rule-abiding friend!"
Izuku giggled, before a vine softly smacked him on the head.
"Nice to meet you, Midoriya-san!" Ibara smiled as she greeted the new addition to her class. "I'm Shiozaki Ibara, but you can call me Ibara!"
"Midoriya Izuku. Nice to meet you." With a tired smile, Izuku greeted his seatmate back before slamming his head onto the table.
Undeterred by the weird action, Ibara continued. "May I ask why are you joining us so late, Midoriya-san? School has already been going on for a week."
"We just moved here." Izuku tiredly replied without even looking up. "We had to move all our stuff first."
"So you are new to this area?"
"Mm."
"What a wonderful opportunity the Lord has bestowed upon us!" Ibara cheered. "I can walk you around town, introduce you to a few popular places if you wish, Midoriya-san!"
"... I can't." Izuku dejectedly declined.
"Oh my, what a shame…. Do your parents not allow you to venture after school?"
"It's more of a ' I' can't…." Izuku turned towards Ibara with a sad smile. "My Quirk makes me tired all the time. It's…. difficult for me to do any strenuous activity. Or any activity."
"What is your Quirk, if you don't mind me asking?" Ibara asked. "Mine is [Vine], as you can see."
"Here I thought that was just a cool hairstyle." Izuku chuckled. "Mine is…. let's just call it [Healing Contact], and it uses my own energy to heal others."
"That's a wonderful Quirk you have been blessed with, Midoriya-san." Ibara replied honestly.
"I know." Izuku grimly chuckled. "I just wish it didn't make me feel so tired."
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"... Midoriya-san? Class is still going." Ibara whispered to her new friend, who had his head on the table.
"... 5 more minutes, please." Izuku groaned through his breath.
"School ends in 5 minutes, Midoriya-san." Ibara pouted at Izuku's unresponsiveness. "Fine, then! I'll just leave without you!"
"But you said that everyday, Shiozaki." Izuku finally turned towards her with a pout. "You always end up walking home with me!"
"Maybe I won't today!" Ibara looked away.
The two got so engrossed in their argument that they didn't notice the whole class was looking at them.
"Shouldn't you stop them?" One of the students pointed at the scene while looking at the teacher in charge.
"They can flirt all they want as long as they understand the lesson." The teacher casually replied as he continued to write on the board. "Which they do. They're my top students."
"Aren't you supposed to notplay favoritism?" Another student asked.
"It's more of a suggestion." The teacher shrugged.
"It definitely isn't, though…." The student mumbled under his breath.
"Too bad, then." The teacher whistled. "Alright, class's over. Everybody go home. Remember to hand up your homework on Friday."
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"Good morning, Shiozaki-san." Izuku bowed and greeted.
"And you, Midoriya-kun." Kiba greeted back. "Ibara is still preparing. Do you want to come in?"
"Thank you for the offer, Shiozaki-san, but I'll just wait out here." Izuku respectfully declined. "How's the garden?"
"The tomatoes are growing quite well, I believe." Kiba took a quick look at his garden. "Too well, in fact. I might have to give some away. I'll tell my daughter to bring you here whenever it's time to harvest."
"Can't wait." Izuku chuckled.
"Sorry for the wait, Midoriya-kun!" Izuku glanced over to his friend jogging towards him in her new middle school uniform.
"I hope this won't be an everyday thing from now on, daughter." Kiba chuckled. "You're going to be late if you take this long to prepare everyday."
"I just had a rough hair day, father." Ibara calmly replied while twirling her hair. "It takes a moment to comb them."
"You look great." Izuku complimented her.
Kiba had to suppress a laugh as his daughter looked away with a red face.
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"..."
"..."
"..."
"Shiozaki-"
"God forbids me from saying this, but what in the hell of Earth are you wearing, Midoriya Izuku?" Ibara glared at Izuku's T-shirt.
It said, 'Pants'.
"I think it's funny!" Izuku pouted.
"I am not letting you wear that to your own celebratory dinner, Midoriya-kun!" Ibara grabbed his hand and dragged him to the direction opposite from their destination. "Why would you even wear that outside baffles me!"
"Now you just sound like my mom…."
"Inko-san is a wise person. You are blessed to have her fashion opinion." Ibara continued to drag him towards a clothing shop. "Listen to her next time, I beg of you."
"It's not even that big of a celebration….." Izuku rolled his eyes.
"Maybe not to you, Midoriya-kun." Ibara countered. "But as your friend, it sparks me joy to see you are no longer burdened by the downside of your Quirk."
"It's still not that big of a deal…." Izuku nervously looked around the shop.
"It is to me. Now," Ibara raised the T-shirt to Izuku's chest to measure. "Try this on."
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"4th place!" Izuku whistled. "I might have thought twice before making fun of your hair now."
"These vines have been carrying you ever since we were children, Izuku." Ibara replied with closing eyes while relaxing her body. "You should be thankful for them instead of fearing them."
"I remembered them wrapping me up like a mummy." Izuku twirled his finger on one of Ibara's vines.
"You've only yourself to blame for that event, I'm afraid." Ibara giggled. "Which class are you in?"
"1-C." Izuku replied as he continued to style Ibara's hair.
"I didn't know U.A. is opening another Hero class!"
"They…. aren't, though?" Izuku tilted his head. "I'm in General Education."
"Eh?" Ibara turned around.
"Eh?" Izuku leaned back, keeping distance from Ibara's approaching face.
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"Oh hey, Ibara!" Izuku turned towards the sound of his hospital room's door being violently opened. "How's school tod-"
Izuku was cut off as Ibara jumped towards him and tackled him into a hug.
"Thanks Heavens…!" He heard Ibara's sob. "I thought the worst when I heard about what happened at the USJ…!"
"You of all people should have known, shouldn't you?" Izuku sheepishly chuckled as he embraced Ibara. "I told you I'm like a cockroach. Once I got into your life, you're not getting rid of me that easily."
"I've told you plenty of times that that is a terrible comparison." Ibara chuckled. "At least compare yourself to a leech."
"Isn't that just Himiko-nee?"
"I'm inclined to think she's more of a vampire. She always hides behind you whenever I come by."
Ibara turned to her right at the sound and found Izuku leaning his head against the bench while snoring softly. With a smile, Ibara gently set Izuku's head on her thighs, patting his head slightly. Despite all the years they've been together, Ibara never got sick of the sight of her friend nodding off. She quietly guided her vines to a playing speaker nearby and lowered its volume.
"After all those years, I will admit it feels strange to not have you in the same class as I do anymore, Izuku." Ibara chuckled.. "If I say that to you while you are awake, I'm afraid you will tease me for a long time."
"I can't imagine how different I would be if I had not grown up with you. Maybe I would be a lot colder and reserved. Maybe I would be very narrow-minded, susceptible to placing judgment on everyone else." Ibara whispered. "But I do know one thing:"
"I will never let go of this special position, being by your side." With her finger, Ibara poked Izuku's cheek. "Unsurprisingly, you are quite a popular individual. But that doesn't mean I'm going to give this up to anyone else."
"May we continue to be together from here on out, just as we have been for the last decade, I-zu-ku."
She closed her eyes, drifting off to sleep with her most important person by her side.
A/N: Merry belated Christmas and a Happy New Year to everyone!
I planned to drop this on Christmas, but it's been pretty crazy these past few days of moving onto 2024.
I think I turned this chapter into a rom-com light novel. Dear God…. Next thing you know, a blond girl from a foreign land is going to fall in love with him….
…. Oh no, there's 2 blond girls from a foreign land.
By the way, Izuku moved to Ibara's area when they were 6.
Not me giving Ibara the childhood friend plot that was hinted somewhat in Case #11 and Case #14.
