Waking up one Tuesday morning, Izuku felt the familiar rush of an emotional cocktail of excitement and anxiety as he got himself ready to leave Hiroshima. Yesterday he finally got his hands on the property title of the run-down Numata River apartments he's had his eye on since he could remember, Izuku would have to find out which Monday would be best for Uraraka-San to come to inspect it.
But that would have to wait for later as Izuku had a lot to do today, he's scheduled to see two properties in the Mugishima district and he's already arranged so that he'll jump into teaching there for the day, today will also be the final day of the E.M.T course he and Osamu-Kun enrolled in and there were a bunch of garbled texts from his fellow two-toes about his anxious excitement.
Embarrassingly, Izuku wasn't just going to be finished with the E.M.T course, he mistakenly hadn't been paying attention to his progress with his teaching degree and so he was thoroughly surprised to see he was close to graduation... again.
So Izuku has to arrange his finals on top of everything else he has going on today. Izuku swore if he goes to college again, he'll pay more attention because he doesn't want this to become any more of a thing than it already has.
So, a good part of Izuku's drive was dedicated to mentally cataloging what he'd have to get done that week. He had a viewing in Kouchi, and he was going to close the deal on an old but still in good condition duplex, a few counseling sessions with various people and he was going to check up on Iguchi-San's progress in the technical school he chose.
For as intense as his schedule was, Izuku couldn't say he regretted any of his choices, especially not when he got to the university and saw Osamu-Kun pacing back and forth muttering to himself waiting by the bench they always meet up at. Having been in Osamu-Kun's place more than once, Izuku couldn't blame the boy for being so wound up.
"Osamu-Kun." Izuku softly called and the boy jumped then turned to Izuku red-faced "H-hi Mido-Senpai! Sorry f-for not noticing you sooner!" Osamu-Kun quickly apologized, his embarrassment causing his voice to crack but Izuku brushed it off and decided to change the topic for Osamu-Kun's sake "C'mon, Rein-Sensei will chew us out if we're late." He commented and Osamu-Kun swiftly nodded "R-right!" The boy agreed speed-walking towards the University.
Izuku had to bite his tongue to keep from chuckling as he followed Osamu-Kun, his laughter wouldn't help with the boy's nerves and Izuku needed to be the kid's rock today.
The E.M.T finals were overseen by another three doctors to ensure their certification was an impartial decision. With three new people judging them and being the ones to decide whether or not they could be certified, Osamu-Kun needed Izuku's calm facade to keep from having a breakdown.
Izuku wished he could give Osamu-Kun more than just emotional support for the physical portion of the exam but that could make both of them fail the course. At least he could stay in the room to watch Osamu-Kun, but Izuku had to remain very still so neither were accused of cheating.
Izuku couldn't help smiling, a touch of pride mixing in with his fondness at watching Osamu-Kun perform CPR and stitching up an orange like he had practiced. Risking a glance at the doctors, Izuku couldn't help feeling the bitterness of uncertainty coating his tongue, the 'what if' of them barring Osamu-Kun because of his age or the fact he was quirkless had him tense.
He wouldn't mind if he failed as this certification would just be another paper for his mom to frame, but this was possibly the only way for Osamu-Kun to achieve his dream.
Even if Izuku hadn't studied with Osamu-Kun every Tuesday for five months, just talking about it with the boy made his passion for medicine clear. Passion aside, Osamu-Kun worked his butt off every day studying every medical textbook he could get his hands on.
Osamu-Kun would prattle off all the little things he's learned about the human body if you'd let him. Honestly, if that was how he looked when he rambled about quirks and heroes it was no wonder his mom and Auntie would encourage it.
Once Osamu-Kun finished he silently stood off to the side with Izuku away from their course mates. Osamu-Kun's hands were trembling so bad Izuku would have thought he'd held hands with Yuri-San, Izuku placed a comforting hand on Osamu-Kun's shoulder and hoped the doctors weren't quirkist.
Half an hour after the doctors left to discuss who'd pass, they returned with their certificates to be signed. Izuku has never felt so relieved to have his name called by a teacher "Midoriya Izuku, Taira Osamu." Rein-Sensei called motioning the two of them over.
Walking over to the counter Izuku and Osamu-Kun were both given a certificate to sign "Congratulations on finishing the course." Rein-Sensei said offering them both a pen "Thank you Rein-Sensei." Izuku replied taking the pen and signing his name onto the certificate then offered the pen to Osamu-Kun, the boy stared up at him "Here." Izuku prompted and Osamu-Kun took a deep breath and then proceeded to sign his paper.
Finished the two boys walked out of the building with their certificates in hand. Izuku huffed wondering if his mom would be proud, he got E.M.T. certified and looked towards Osamu-Kun to congratulate him but noticed that the boy was staring at his paper "Osamu-Kun?" Izuku said and the boy's lip trembled "S-sorry Mido-Senpai i-it's just... I-" Osamu-Kun's voice was heavy with emotion.
Tears building in the corners of his eyes "I... did it." Osamu-Kun said out of disbelief, his words barely above a whisper "I-I can do it!" He exclaimed, his exhilaration overwhelming him to the point of tears "I'm going to help people!" Osamu-Kun cried clutching his certificate to his chest as joy and disbelief bubbled over into tears and breathless laughter.
Izuku watched on unable to feel anything less than pride and relished in his fellow two-toes happiness. Osamu-Kun had worked hard and had earned every moment of his joy... And maybe if Izuku was living vicariously through the boy well, it wouldn't make the moment any less special for either of them.
Osamu-Kun launched himself at Izuku hugging him and Izuku laughed along with Osamu-Kun not at all bothered when he was soaked in tears and covered in snot, he and his mom often cried buckets more than Osamu-Kun ever could.
Osamu-Kun also seemed to recover from his emotional maelstrom faster as well pulling away from Izuku only a couple of minutes later and wiping away his tears "S-sorry about that M-Mido-Senpai, I j-just-" Osamu-Kun tried to apologize his cheeks turning red from shame but stopped when Izuku ruffled the boy's hair.
"You just finished taking the first step to live your dream, that's amazing and you deserve to be happy about it." Izuku assured and Osamu-Kun looked so relieved when he said that then beamed up at him "Y-yeah... " he muttered.
"Aw... That was so sweet, it makes me want to throw up." Someone said making them both jump, but they relaxed once they realized it was just Zuki-San. Osamu-Kun ran up to him immediately happily presenting his certificate "Papa, look! I did it! I'm going to be an E.M.T!" he excitedly proclaimed, and Zuki-San gave him a grin in return "You're gonna have to find someone crazy enough to hire you first little bastard." The man corrected flicking Osamu-Kun's forehead.
Osamu-Kun laughed rubbing his head "I'll find someone! Even if I have to go to the other side of Japan!" Osamu-Kun told him only to be pulled into a headlock "Oh, does the bastard think he can just abandon the person that's fed you, bathe you, and put clothes on your back?" Zuki-San teased giving the kid a noogie "P-papa!" Osamu-Kun shrieked trying to beat Zuki-San off of him.
Izuku felt his heart being painfully constricted looking at the two interact so playfully and he tried hard to ignore it. Resentment was an ugly emotion that Izuku loathed feeling because it was envy's bitter sibling and both of those made a... Part of Izuku that he strongly disliked about himself rear its ugly head, mainly because it pushed such negative feelings onto people Izuku knew didn't deserve it.
Izuku was brought out of his thoughts by someone flicking his forehead "Oi." Zuki-San said and Izuku could feel his face burning "Y-yes Zuki-San?" He asked resisting the urge to bury his head in the ground "C'mon Dill weed, we're getting lunch, my treat so you better be fucking grateful." Zuki-San told him in the way Izuku knew meant he was better off not trying to turn him down.
"We're going to my favorite restaurant!" Osamu-Kun said grabbing his hand to lead him to where they were going "It has the best dumplings." The boy excitedly commented before launching into telling Izuku everything he could about the restaurant, Zuki-San dutifully following along behind them snickering at the greenette.
The restaurant was a comfy little surf and turf bar and grill by the river, Izuku found himself sitting with both of the Tairas enjoying stir fry and fried shrimp and Zuki-San was nursing some sake, but he had a high enough tolerance that Izuku didn't feel uncomfortable with it.
"Maybe I can even afford to get some of those Swiss shoes. You know the ones that have good traction and arch support. I'll need those things when I start working... " Osamu-Kun muttered since Izuku had mentioned he should be looking into getting his gear together before applying, Izuku was relieved to hear Osamu-Kun was going to be getting some different shoes.
As nice as primordial shoes were, they were too identifiable in the medical field and Osamu-Kun would undoubtedly be harassed by both sides for being a two-toes, Osamu-Kun would face problems because of his age and didn't need to have heroes and his co-workers alike questioning his every move.
Osamu-Kun wrapped up in his excitement had accidentally spilled his drink on himself "S-sorry, I'll be right back." the boy promised before running off to the bathrooms leaving Izuku and Zuki-San by themselves. Zuki-San downed the rest of his shot then sighed and turned his attention to Izuku "I'm shit with words, but I have to thank you, the bastard might actually have a chance." Zuki-San suddenly told him, Izuku laughed awkwardly rubbing the back of his neck.
"I didn't do that much Zuki-San, Osamu-Kun put the work in himself after all." Izuku corrected making Zuki-San scoff as he poured himself another shot "Kid, I'm self-aware enough to know I've been a massive piece of crap for my entire life. The only time I've ever not been a complete dick is for that bastard. For as much as I do for him, the squirt would never have gotten up the nerve to do half the shit he's done without you encouraging him." Zuki-San told him.
Izuku was going to argue but Zuki-San flicked his forehead "Don't fucking try bitch. I was an unruly brat until my parents had enough and kicked my ass to the curb. I was a total scumbag to the dumbasses idiotic enough to be in a relationship with me. The only person I've ever done right by is the kid my ex ditched and even then, I ain't anything close to a role model, so don't you dare try telling me I'm not a piece of shit." Zuki-San warned pointing a threatening finger at Izuku.
*Well, you could be worse... * Izuku defiantly thought, people like that weren't as uncommon as Izuku would have hoped, the fact always sat bitterly on his tongue and would easily become outright sour if he couldn't do anything about it.
After Izuku remained silent Zuki-San continued to speak and asked, "Do you remember when I first told you that two-toes should keep moving?" Izuku could have scoffed, how could he ever forget that? People don't easily forget learning about ancient evils out to destroy them for existing.
"Well, I'm planning on packing our crap and getting the bastard out of dodge. He's at the prime age where two-toes end up "disappearing"... Plan on telling the squirt it's so he'll have better job opportunities," Zuki-San informed him and Izuku felt a lump form in his throat at the thought of Osamu-Kun just... Vanishing one day without anyone to hear him crying for help.
As sad as it would be to not see Osamu-Kun every Tuesday, Izuku would never be so selfish as to risk Osamu-Kun's life for something so minor. Izuku balked almost choking on his drink because Zuki-San suddenly whacked him on the back of the head "We'll stay in contact, Dill weed. Do you think I can afford to live anywhere other than a shithole?" Zuki-San scoffed at him.
Izuku shouldn't be so happy to hear his student would be living somewhere so "unsafe" but knowing the Tairas were still going to be in the red-light districts freed the lump from his throat. Zuki-San tsked "Even if I could, red-light districts have more anonymity and fewer bigots." The man spat and Izuku couldn't help agreeing, he could only remember meeting someone openly quirkist in the districts on two hands.
The number of quirkists in the "safe" neighborhood he grew up in was, by comparison, utterly ridiculous. Following that thought, Izuku briefly wondered just what his life might be like if he had grown up in the South Side instead of Musutafu. However, the thought was easily tossed aside as Osamu-Kun rushed back to their table, not that Izuku was too invested in it.
He was far happier with where he was in his life now, sitting in a sketchy bar with a convicted criminal and the man's son enjoying some (questionably) legally locally caught shrimp...
Yeah, Izuku would much rather be here than sitting in a middle school classroom.