Hey, guys! GOTA, here, with another installment of 'Cross My Heart.' Before you read, this story is more drama than our usual works. Be prepared if there are certain topics that will trigger you. Discretion is strongly advised. In this chapter, Ryuko is attempting to do damage control after the incident between Momo and Izuku was reported to Nezu. At the same time, Ryuko demands answers from Izuku's father if he is or isn't her father. Later, Izuku faces another bombshell after getting caught in an ambush. What will happen? Read and see! This is an OOC Izuku x OOC Ochako story. Enjoy!
Ryuko pulled out a cigarette, put it in between her lips, and lit it with her lighter. Unfiltered as they didn't have any of her filtered at the nearby convenience store. She was at the kitchen table and on the telephone. She was one of several, if not few within the prefecture who still had a home phone. She would like to tell herself that her reason for keeping a home phone was in case there was danger, the 911 operator could pinpoint a landline. She could also tell herself that she didn't like many people having her cell phone number. She could also say that she was too lazy to call the phone company to remove the service. Either way it went, the variety of reasons didn't matter or wouldn't matter to the thirty-something year old.
Blessed to be ambidextrous, she held her cigarette in her right hand and had a pen with her left hand. She was scribbling something on an envelope she pulled from the bills drawer. Her eyes were squinting, probably due to her dry eyes after removing her contacts. She was grateful that she remembered properly placing her glasses in her nightstand. When one was busy being a Pro Hero, an idol, and now a surrogate parent, anything can be misplaced.
Or in this instance, misunderstood.
"I can understand your disposition, sir." She lightly tapped the cigarette in the coffee cup. "Under any circumstances do I not condone abuse of any nature. However, understand that Izuku wouldn't do anything to convey or encourage such acts of violence. That isn't in his nature, sir."
It wasn't long when word got back to Ryuko about Izuku's recent suspension from school. It was yesterday afternoon when Inko called Ryuko to inform her of the recent incident involving her son and a female student. Inko informed Ryuko that Izuku was accused of engaging in a physical altercation with the student. There was even video evidence showing the event-in-question. The following day, Izuku was called into the office and was immediately put on suspension. The suspension was indefinite until the investigation concerning the incident was concluded. He wasn't allowed to be within a thousand yards of school grounds and he couldn't make up any assignments.
Adding insult to injury, the nearby police precinct has picked up the case. The student was sent to the hospital for an examination. Anything showing abuse was to be photographed and sent to the police. It will be then a follow-up investigation will be conducted. If an investigation is conducted and evidence shows Izuku being in the wrong, then charges could be filed.
However, it wasn't the suspension from school or the possibility of failing the semester concerning Ryuko. It was the concern of Izuku's wellbeing.
It has barely been forty-eight hours since Izuku was forcibly evicted from his home. Suddenly, he is engaged in trouble with a student. His state of mind, if not his temperament, was wearing thin. Being introduced to a new world without his family. Then, he has a child on the way with Ochako. Now, an accusation of fighting a female student. The lies from the rumor mill will misconstrue anything about Izuku. She knew Izuku. That wasn't his nature. If a fight did occur, then he was on the defense. Nevertheless, she was familiar with Yaoyorozu and her family. Her mother owned a portion of the media conglomerates in the city. She was manager/owner of various music and television studios in town, particularly the very studio that was feeding, furnishing, and providing her with funds to take care of herself, Izuku, and Ochako.
Her heart wept for him.
"Sir, check the cameras. We can't just take the words of students witnessing this. Everything must be fact-checked before making your conclusion. Look at his record! You know that Izuku hasn't done anything abrasive like that before. It isn't like he punched or kicked her." She was becoming defensive. Heart-piercing words to hear the false allegations of Izuku's altercation was demeaning and belittling. She had to keep her composure as the principal threatened to not only involve the authorities, but the possibility of expelling him from the school.
"Yes, sir! I understand that protocol must be enforced. But understand that I won't be taking this sitting down," she said matter-of-factly. "I will see to it that I will inquire with a lawyer if this gets further than it already has." A bluff, she admitted to herself. She could barely afford legal services. Nevertheless, if she had to work extra shows or asked her teammates to loan her the money, she would do whatever it takes to protect Izuku's reputation. "You do what you have to do and I will do what I have to do. We will be in touch."
She clicked off the phone without saying goodbye. She took small breaths, asking God for clarity as she gently placed her phone on the table. Placing the cigarette into the coffee cup, her mind was going in multiple directions at once.
She looked at the piece of paper where she was scribbling notes. List of things she needed to do to prepare for Izuku if this goes further than his suspension from school. The list also included taking Ochako for a screening, gathering paperwork in case this temporary custody becomes permanent. Also, the phone number to contact a laboratory about conducting a DNA test about the identity of her father. Oftentimes, she viewed fate as a bitch. Fate was certainly playing its role as the very boy she was helping could possibly be her younger brother.
Everything was going too fast. She felt she was trapped in a bottleneck - being squeezed side by side by the pressure of life. Wasn't sure which part of her body was going to give in. She had to put herself last. Her needs were to be secondary. She has lasted this long without a father. And she needed to do anything in her power to be sure that the little child in Ochako's belly could see him.
She turned around to face the living room. Two figures were staring at her as she was on the telephone. Izuku sat on the floor with his back against the couch, staring at the blank television screen. Ochako was lying on her back. Her right hand was cradling Izuku's hair while her left was stroking her stomach. Ryuko knew that high levels of stress were detrimental for the baby. She didn't want them to hear her conversation with Nezu.
She took a strong sigh. Lessening of stress and tension for herself. "Quick to hear. Slow to speak. Slow to anger." A sing-song she heard from a passerby one day in the train station. If she recalled, it was a quote somewhere in the bible. More of a believer and not so an avid reader of the good book, those words were absolute as she needed to play the role of supporter.
"Stay off social media, both of you!" Ryuko discarded the cigarette butt into the coffee cup. Grabbing the pack and hitting her wrist with it, she remained attentive to the two. "I'm serious! The last thing I need to happen is adding fuel to fire." She looked at Izuku. "No matter how much you defend yourself, people are going to hear and believe what they want to hear and believe."
She then put her hand on her right cheek. She pursed her lips before parting her mouth. "Just so you know, Izuku, I believe everything that you have told me." She nodded affirmatively. "Everything that he had said about you isn't true."
Izuku lowered his head. Ochako dug her fingers deeper into his hair, wanting her best to soothe his worries. Since being suspended, he has been restless. He hasn't eaten, he hasn't slept. He cried the last couple of nights on the couch to the point that his pillows and comforters were saturated in tears. "Then why does it hurt so bad?"
"You were falsely accused, sweetheart," said Ryuko. "Anyone in that circumstance would have done anything to escape that."
"It isn't like I wanted to push her," he said. "She was cornering me like a wounded animal."
"I know. I know," said Ryuko.
"Just like that," retorted Ochako. "She gets away with it and we are the ones that face trouble?"
Earlier in the conversation with Ryuko and Principal Nezu, a meeting was arranged about the future arrangements of Ochako and her child-to-be. Nezu was informed about Ochako's pregnancy after Momo used it as a claim for Izuku's altercation.
"God is the vindicator. What we can't see now, he will make it work soon." Ryuko proceeded to light another cigarette. "Let's not worry about Yaoyorozu. The bed she will make, she will lie in it soon. Trust me on that."
"Then that bed must be silky, soft, and plushy," retorted Ochako. "Because I don't see anything showing Momo's being remorseful or caring." She crossed her arms. "If anything, she knows how to play the role of victim quite well." She cursed under her breath. "Fucking actress!"
Ryuko snapped her fingers as parental mode set in. "Hey! I know you're upset but I don't condone cursing from you guys. Plus, you don't need to do anything to stress the baby."
"Not if that bitch is the cause for this stress."
Ryuko knew Ochako was angry. She had every right to be. Be that as it may, Momo wasn't there during the conception. It was understandable yet saddening how people like Yaoyorozu would use Ochako's self-esteem and naivete as a weakness. Izuku is also in the same category as he, too, succumbed to peer pressure. Ryuko decided nor to think further about the consequences of events, for she, too, was having troublesome thoughts.
She ran her finger through her hair. An aspirin was needed to go along with her cigarette. "Listen, Ochako honey. I've said what I've said. Yaoyorozu is going to have her day in court. We may not see it. We may never see it, but she will have her day." She pointed at her. "We can spend time plotting on getting back at her, but what would it accomplish? She likes it. She feeds into it. That is what makes her powerful - preying on the poorest and the neediest, defecating on the weak. She is insatiable, seeking out weak people as she is weak herself. She just knows how to wear it better than anybody else."
It was words that Ochako didn't want to hear. Nothing would make her feel better than to combat the very woman that was ruining their high school careers. She was angry, enraged. Her fists were gripping tightly to the point that her knuckles were white. It was the touch from Izuku's hand on her shoulder that interrupted her crestfallen grief.
"Auntie is right, baby." Izuku prompted her to sit back on the couch. Tears continued to fall down her cheeks. "What good would it do?"
"But baby," she said as she began choking up.
Izuku used his shirt to wipe the tears from her flushed cheeks. "Was Momo wrong for lying about me? Yes! Was she wrong to expose us? Yes!" He gripped his pants. "She played us. Okay? She had played with us. However, no one put a gun to our head to have sex."
He took sullen breaths, trying his best to keep himself from crying. "We are not blameless victims. We could have easily said no. You didn't force me to not wear protection. I could have protested but decided against it. I know you did this to prove yourself that you are important. But this isn't the way to prove ourselves."
"Izuku."
"Our bed has been made. Did I expect our parents to throw us out in such a way? No, I didn't," he said. "It hurts. They are hurt. No matter the degree, no one was prepared for this bombshell."
"I agree with Izuku." It was Ryuko that entered the living room. She accompanied the teens as she sat next to Izuku on the couch. "Pregnancy is not a game. It is certainly a game changer. People are going to have various reactions. This isn't easy for anyone." She turned to Ochako. "I know, honey, that your parents were terrible to leave you high and dry." She touched Ochako's cheek. "I know it hurts, darling." She kissed her. "Never worry as you have your auntie here for support. As for your parents, well...I can't say if they will change. Only time would tell."
She grabbed Izuku's hand. "Thank you, Izuku, for finally accepting responsibility. This isn't easy and the consequences aren't either. I know you're also hurt about your parents as well. Look at it from their perspective, they are hurt as well."
"That still doesn't mean leaving your children high and dry and to fend for ourselves," interjected Ochako.
"Right...and yet, and I know it sounds macabre, but this, too, is a shocker and people will react differently," retorted Ryuko. "Like I've said, only time will tell."
"What do we do?" Ochako looked pleadingly at Ryuko like a child would do to a parent.
"We'll wait it out," she replied. "Look at this as a vacation." She also took Ochako's hand. "You guys have gone weary and worrying too much. Unhealthy for teens like yourselves." She looked at the kitchen. "And judging that my kitchen is fully stocked, you guys haven't eaten."
"How can I eat when…" Ryuko put her finger to Ochako's lip.
"You're eating for two. If not for yourself, then the baby," she replied. She turned to Izuku. "Go to the fridge and pull out last night's dinner that was barely touched." She grabbed his cheeks. "I may not be the best cook, but what I've said, I meant. Home Cooked meals from now on." She released his cheeks. "Now, mister!"
For the first time, he produced a smile. "Gotcha, Auntie!"
She turned back to face Ochako. "After we eat some grub, your aunties are going to get you."
"For what?"
"Did you forget, you silly goose? We were supposed to go clothes shopping for you. Remember?"
"Oh, yeah." Ochako bowed humbly. "Thank you, Auntie."
"Think nothing of it. It's coming out of Shino's wallet." She looked at Izuku as he was reheating the dinner on the stove. "Uncle Yawara didn't forget about you either, young man."
"Yes, ma'am."
"Just take some deep breaths, you guys," she said with enthusiasm. "Don't look at this as a setback, but as a setup." She slapped her thighs. "Enjoy this time off. Take a breather. Go for a walk, go to the zoo. I know the guy that could get you in for free." She was on a budget, but she wasn't going to let them know that.
"Everything will be okay, Ochako, Izuku! I am telling you this. This storm shall not last forever," she said to them. She stood up the moment she felt her cell phone vibrating. "Excuse me, kiddos. An important call from the office. Maybe a gig," she said as she winked at them.
Ochako stood up as she went to the kitchen to aid and assist Izuku with cooking leftovers. Seeing this as an opportunity to depart, Ryuko walked and grabbed her cigarettes on the way as she stepped out of the apartment.
She exited the apartment and walked down the hallway before finding a suitable spot comfortable enough so she wouldn't be disturbed. She reached into her pocket and saw the missed call. She didn't even have to speculate as this particular caller she has been trying to contact for quite some time.
"Hello?"
"It's about time that you have called me back."
"That doesn't matter or concern me. However, this isn't a social call. We need to talk."
"I don't care. Either cancel or reschedule as what we need to discuss is very important."
"And I don't have time for games either. I'm not the one to trifle with. I am not in a playing mood."
"I am going to meet at our usual spot. You know the one. You definitely know this spot."
"I will be there tonight. 8PM. Come alone."
"I won't be discussing the matter on the phone. Someone could be listening and what I am gonna say may violate your affairs."
"Better figure it out or else, a certain party is gonna decide for us. 8PM. No minute after. If you aren't there, then the decision has been made."
Ryuko hung up without saying a goodbye or a farewell to the receiver. This was business. Ryuko pulled a cigarette from the pack. She got irritated that she had forgotten her lighter. She returned the pack into her pocket. She was overlooking the afternoon sky. She grabbed the phone and decided to contact another caller whom she didn't want to contact. Nevertheless, this was business and related to the previous caller.
"Hello," asked the caller.
"Mitsuko. It's Ryuko. Can you talk?" Ryuko could already hear the pressed sighs coming from the receiver. Ryuko didn't care about irritating the egg donor that was her mother. The only thing Mitsuko provided for her was her very existence.
"You caught me in between breaks, Ryu. What do you want?"
"I got in contact with him?"
"Who?"
"Him!"
"Him?"
"Him...Him!"
A momentary pause ensued. Ryuko could hear her mother cursing under her breath. "God...why would you do that?" She made a loud hacking noise. "Why would you start trouble? What's done is done."
"Look, Mitsuko. The fact I am calling you shows that I, at least, somewhat give a damn," she retorted. "I was just letting you know what I am preparing to do."
"And for what, Ryu? To tie your shoes? Do your homework? Learning how to ride a bike? You are in your thirties now. What are you trying to prove?"
"Listen, you fucking hick," she barked to her mother. "God, damn it," she exclaimed. "I just wanted answers. Fucking answers, you hear me?! You may not give a damn about yourself, but, I for one need answers." She stomped her foot. "I got a boy in there that could possibly be my little brother. A girl that is pregnant from this said boy. And, if I find out that he is my father, then I want my restitution one way or another."
"And what makes you think he would comply?" Mitsuko spoke with agitation. "He casted me aside like dirt. 2,000,000 yen was all of my worth to him. And what makes you think that he is the father? He wasn't the only guy I was with prior to my pregnancy."
"I won't know. And I won't know until we speak. He will comply. And once I get a DNA test from him, he is going to comply," she shot back to her mother. "We may have similar pasts. We might be birds of a fucking feather. But when the going gets rough, I don't quit. I made my mistakes and here I am redeeming myself."
"Well, good for fucking you, Mary Magdalene," said Mitsuko.
"Yeah! Good for fucking me," she darted back to her mother.
"If you're done playing saint, I would like to get back to the real world." Ryuko heard the phone click. She didn't care. Honestly, why would she call the egg donor? She didn't owe Mitsuko anything. The only thing she could validate was Mitsuko was her mother. Even then, did she deserve that title?
She looked at her watch. It was a few minutes after five. She knew that Shino and Tomoko would pick up around six, leaving Izuku alone for the time being. She knew Izuku wouldn't venture far. Prior to the phone call with Principal Nezu, she urged Izuku not to edge far from the apartment. People like Yaoyorozu have sympathisers, people who would do anything to support her cause.
She needed to go back to the apartment and shower. She wanted to look her best for Hisashi. Hisashi has plenty to explain for himself. It, now, didn't surprise the blonde if he could abandon this pregnancy, then how simple it was to cast away his son.
She headed back into the apartment. Izuku was lying on the couch and eating leftovers. Ochako was in the neighboring room changing clothes as she was preparing for Shino and Tomoko to take her shopping. She told Izuku that she was going to shower and to not enter the hallway as she could be passing through naked - a habit of hers. Izuku gave her the thumbs up and complied with her orders.
Later that evening….
She wore her Sunday's best - a long, darker-than-black evening gown and a diamond choker. The type of outfit in which she knew she would be going home with a man after a dinner or an evening gala. It was nights like these that she used to miss. In her former life, life was a bit simpler. There were many names that Ryuko was adorned in that life - lady of the night, streetwalker, harlot, whore, slut, the list goes on. Like her mother, she made due with what she had. To them, she may have been a toilet, but to herself, she was a hustler.
It was a path that she wasn't proud to walk. Nevertheless, a necessitated path that was forthcoming to become the woman she was today. Fortunately, she won't need any of her skills to woo a man tonight, as it wasn't necessary.
For once in a while, she just wanted to know the feeling of being wanted, appealed, desired.
The Booming Jack was the name of the saloon. The restaurant represented an old, western theme. Anything to depict places like Texas, Kansas - anything from the wild, wild west. This place has a rich tapestry, history as this was one of her main stomping grounds when she wanted to obtain a man.
Upon entering, the waitress didn't even have to ask, she pointed her to her usual spot. It was always at the far end corner of the restaurant. She always faced the door. With the life she lived, she wanted to make sure she could be covered in case of a quick exit or being certain that she wasn't being tailed. Housewives, angry girlfriends, mistress, shysters, shylocks, anyone that wanted to get her hands on her. Sometimes, she wished it would happen, giving her reason to stop.
The same waitress came with her drink, a gin and tonic minus the ice. The blonde retrieved her cigarettes. Conway Twitty was playing in the background. She flickered the lighter as she could some of the patrons walking to the dance floor to be serenaded by old, American country tunes.
Placing the lighter aside, she went for her drink. With one eye on her drink and the other eye on her phone, it was a few seconds before zero hour.
As a woman of her word, what she meant, she meant.
As the clock struck eight, her eyes pointed at the door.
"Good evening! Welcome to the Booming Jack. How many for your party?"
Meanwhile….
Izuku was mindlessly flipping through a magazine. He was lying on the couch. He was alone in the apartment. Ryuko was out and so was Ochako. It was weird to him as this was the first time in a while he was without the company of his girlfriend or his aunt.
The television was off. Aside from the turning of the magazine, it was pure and utter silence.
No longer enthused with the periodical, he slid it back on the coffee table. He blew a raspberry as he looked at the ceiling. He was trying to tell himself that he wasn't bored. But, he knew he was lying to himself.
As promised, he wasn't going to go on social media. His classmates, peers, and so-called friends were probably advocating his expulsion from the school. It had amazed him - no phone calls, text, anything from anyone to proclaim his innocence. It was hard to admit, but his Auntie Ryuko was right when knowing his true friends during his time of need.
He sat up and lined his back against the couch. He reached into his pocket to see if he had any pocket money. Going into his wallet, he had a few dollars. In the mood for a snack, he thought a quick trip to the convenience store could cure his boredom as well as his hunger. He didn't dislike Ryuko's cooking, but acting, performing, and being a Pro Hero was more of her expertise than being a chef.
Still hungry and now craving a katsudon bowl, he stood up, grabbed his keys, and headed out to the corner store.
He locked up and proceeded down the hallway. Although a bit chilly, a jacket was unnecessary. He didn't have his earbuds and plus it was drawing near night, he wanted to remain vigilant.
He was feeling eerie, still heeding to Ryuko's words.
Are my classmates capable, if not willing to come after me?
A chill ran down his spine. It was worrisome, nevertheless, that he must stay on his toes. He took the elevator instead of the stairs. Upon exiting the elevator, he headed toward the corridor.
As he walked, silence filled the open area. He was a bit concerned. Around this time of evening, a few passersby would go to and from the apartment. College students, a salaryman - sober or drunk, a married couple, and the like. His stomach dropped and his hands were twitching.
In his gut, he knew something was wrong.
Pondering on whether he should go to the convenience store or return to the apartment, he heard a sound.
A sound similar to running footsteps.
He didn't get a chance to turn when he felt something grabbing his shoulder. He became frozen. His gut dropped once more. His senses were alarmed. Fight or flight was definitely apparent. He looked to his right and saw what he had confirmed.
"H-h-h-hey...Todoroki!" Izuku was stunned but knew it was the boyfriend of Momo and his so-called friend. He looked around and saw that Shouto wasn't alone. Accompanying him were his two older brothers - Natsuo and Toya.
Shouto kept a calm demeanor as the duo joined their leader. They, like their brother, displayed the same look on their faces. Izuku looked to the ceiling for this was the very day he didn't bring his brass knuckles or his pocket knife with him. Shouto gripped tightly on Izuku's shoulder.
"Midoriya! Are you going to come easy or we are gonna beat your ass on this spot?" It was Toya that spoke. Shouto was silent, only the strong and firm grip indicated his anger. Izuku's eyes then darted to Toya's pocket.
It didn't take a genius to know that he was brandishing a weapon.
Knowing he didn't have much options. He extended his arms in the air, alerting the others that he didn't have any weapons. Shouto backed away. Natsuo stepped forward. While he was scratching his hair, reached around and patted Izuku's jacket.
Natsuo let out a tiny smile. "He's clean. Come on, guys."
Izuku looked at Shouto. "Todoroki, man. We can talk. But not like this."
Toya interjected, shoving Izuku forward. "Can't talk shit now, can you? Think you are bold enough to hurt my brother's girl?" He slapped his chest. "Talk that same shit with us."
He looked at Shouto. His eyes were unmoved, unopposed, indifferent.
Toya pushed Izuku again. "You say you wanna talk. Let's talk." He produced a cheeky grin. "Let's talk about making a penance for messing with my brother's girl." He whistled at the others. "Let's skedaddle."
Shouto and his older brothers surrounded Izuku as they exited the apartment corridor. For anyone that was passing by, they would think they were a group of friends on a destination. Izuku was worried, but he didn't have many options.
He could try to run, but wouldn't make it far. Toya had the agility to outrun him, Natsuo had the girth, and Shouto, when agitated, could easily wipe the floor with him.
They approached the parking lot where Izuku saw a Range Rover with its emergency lights on.
"Could you at least tell me where we're going," asked Izuku.
He was met with a slap to the back of his head. "Your questions are useless. We don't wanna talk. We wanna act." Toya shoved Izuku into the backseat. He turned to Natsuo. "You drive. Shouto is riding shotgun."
"Where are we taking him," asked Natsuo.
"Remember that industrial area we passed by on the way here? We won't be disturbed." Toya entered the backseat, accompanying the scared Izuku.
Natsuo jumped in the driver's seat. As soon as Shouto closed the door, his brother put the key in the ignition.
The radio began playing. 2Pac's "Hail Mary" was playing. Izuku let out a silent prayer as he was accompanying three strangers into the unknown of the night.
To be continued….
BD: Revenge is fluent and peace is foreign to Momo. Just like her to send people to do her dirty work.
GOTA: The drama continues. This is making quite a turn. Only thing is, for better or for worse.
BD: It's up to you since you are in charge of their fate.
GOTA: True. Anyway, stay tuned for more works in this series.
BD: If you haven't already checked it out, me and another writer, Sora Sentry, are collaborating on a MHA x RWBY story called "Emerald Rabbit's Warren." It is a harem and his first and my second collaboration on a project. Please check it out.
GOTA: Stay tuned and as always, team Greenshade!