Something is different with his desk. As he inspects it, Midoriya reaches the conclusion that something's missing and something's not quite there.
"I bought you a new plant," Tsukauchi tells him from behind him. "It's a tillandsia called Medusa's Head. You have to water once a week and soak it entirely once a month."
Midoriya blinks, taking in the strange plant with snake-like leaves mounted on a wooden branch. It doesn't look like a plant, more like an awkward cactus reaching out in every direction.
"I'm not sure I'm capable of taking care of it, Tsukauchi-san," he admits. "The previous plant I had was supposed to be easy to take care of and it died under my care."
"That's why I won't only be your plant but also Todoroki-san's."
From the other side of the desk, Todoroki glares at them. "What did you say?"
"You heard them. You two are going to work together taking care of this plant. Friendship's born from striving for a common objective. Here's your goal."
Tsukauchi gives one of the leaves a small pat before taking off, his steps a little too springy that betray his amusement. Both Midoriya and Todoroki are left alone in the office to stare at each other, nonplussed.
"I say we let it die," the Pro Hero declares.
Midoriya stares at the plant, then back at his partner. "No."
He caresses one of the unfurling leaves, surprised to find it so soft despite its rough appearance. He's not sure if the plant received the name 'Medusa' for the mythological woman or for the jellyfish.
"It's a burden," Todoroki grumbles.
"It's still life."
"So you want to take care of it?"
"With your help, of course." Todoroki doesn't answer, even avoiding looking at Midoriya. "You were the one who called a truce when we first became colleagues."
"You were the one who destroyed it when you called me Ice King."
Midoriya bites his lower lip, bowing his head. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have ignored your request. Still, Ice King sounds impressive, no?"
Todoroki swirls around, facing him with cold eyes. "Midoriya, do you really want me to hate you?"
"Because you don't already?"
Before Todoroki could answer, a shrill ringing comes from Tsukauchi's desk. They turn to stare at the black phone across from them, paralysed. They didn't even know it could work. After all, as far as they know, important calls are always transmitted on Tsukauchi's personal phone.
"We should answer," Midoriya hears himself saying.
"Then go pick it up," Todoroki evenly replies.
The two don't move until the ringing stops. When they do rise, however, their motions are synchronised as they rush towards the phone, a red light flashing beside the caption 'Voicemail'. Todoroki doesn't hesitate as he presses the button, Tsuragamae's voice filling the silence.
"Tsukauchi, we have someone claiming to have information Tozawa's murder waiting in Interrogation Room 4. I want you to go there as soon as you can."
Midoriya blanches but next to him, Todoroki looks rejuvenated. Midoriya doesn't like the zealous gaze he receives from him.
"Do you want to conduct an interrogation?"
Midoriya shakes his head vigorously. "T-That's a bad idea, Todoroki-san. If Tsuragamae wanted Tsukauchi-san to do it, then we shouldn't interfere."
Besides, if this person has an inkling on who killed Tozawa, I may be recognised.
"That's odd. I thought you would jump on the occasion."
"And face Tsukauchi-san's wrath? That's a no."
Todoroki shrugs. "It's your loss."
He rises, smoothing nonexistent wrinkles on his white shirt. His gait is confident as he strides to the door, leaving Midoriya behind him, still battling with his conscience. The fight is short.
"Wait!"
He's standing on his feet before he realises it, one hand reaching out to Todoroki's receding figure. Moving on instincts, he jogs up to the Pro Hero.
"I'm coming with you."
Todoroki glances over his shoulder, offering him a wry smile. "That's what I thought."
Rooms dedicated to interrogation are usually located in the lower floor, but since the fire some dusty rooms on the first floor were cleaned and replaced the original ones. Number Four used to be a storage room, a maze of crisscrossing lines consisting of shelves going up to the ceiling. Now it's devoid of its ancient police records, the few pieces of furniture inside being three chairs, one currently occupied, and a table.
The woman sitting inside straightens as the two men enter, eyes making a beeline on Midoriya. The latter swallows down his uneasiness as he settles down on the left chair. Her gaze shifts on Todoroki a second after without her piping a word. Midoriya's glad his partner is such an eye-catcher with his hair, his eyes and his impressive demeanour.
"Liliana Schmidt?"
She nods and answers in a chopped Japanese, "Yes. You must be Detective Tsukauchi."
It has to be a miracle that she doesn't recognise Todoroki's two-toned hair and heterochromatic eyes. However, the main concerned doesn't miss a beat as he settles on one of the interrogator's chairs, offering the woman a courteous smile.
"Yes, I am. This is my partner, Midoriya Izuku."
Of course, Todoroki can't lie for him and had to tell her his true name.
"Before we start, I have you to confirm that you came here willingly."
"I did."
"Excellent. This meeting is recorded by two cameras. One here and the other one, here," Todoroki indicates the device behind Schmidt and the one in his own back, "There's nobody on the one-way mirror's other side. You have the right to remain silent. Is this clear?"
"Yes, Detective."
Midoriya's mouth twists, bordering on a grimace. Impersonating one of the Police Force's most reputed detectives is almost synonym with instant demission but Todoroki's nonchalant, as if he doesn't realise what consequences their fraud could have.
"We heard you had information concerning Tozawa Anri's murder."
"Y-Yes, I'm her neighbour. I'm living at number 709, or rather I was living there."
"Where are you living now?"
The address she gives them is an hotel room in Chiyoda. Todoroki nods, as if he already knew the information and sought for validation.
"When are you going back to England?"
Midoriya startles, eyes shifting to the two of them. It's like Todoroki's privy to something he doesn't know. The Pro Hero must've done intensive research, beyond the frame of Tozawa Anri's murder, when Midoriya was wallowing in his bedroom.
"Next week. I already bought my tickets."
Todoroki cocks an eyebrow. "Tickets?" He repeats.
"I'm leaving with my fiancé."
"His name?"
"Natsuhiko Arata."
"Was number 709 under his name?"
"Yes. We're going back to my family's house in Devonshire."
"Why the sudden need to go back to England? I'm sure your building was insured and offered you some compensation. I understand the transition to the hotel as necessary, but there are nice apartment blocks near where you lived that could fit."
"Todo– Tsukauchi-san," Midoriya intervenes, "I think we should focus on Tozawa's murder."
"I first want to solve our guest's case."
"I'm not involved in a case, Detective Tsukauchi," Schmidt laughs nervously. "I'm going to England with my fiancé. Is that a crime?"
Todoroki's eyes narrow down. Midoriya's convinced he's not going to let go but instead, Todoroki leans back on his chair, folding his arms.
"What was your relationship with Tozawa Anri?"
"We were neighbours. She was living down the corridor. On each Wednesdays, we saw each other at the embroidery workshops on the first floor. She was quite talented."
"Talk to me about her personality. Was she a person who could cause trouble?"
"Not at all. She was very kind. She helped me during our first workshop because I kept on sticking my needle the wrong way. Besides, as Pro Hero, she always looked for others before herself."
Midoriya's fists curl. Wrong, he thinks, or perhaps his body language broadcast it because Todoroki turns to him.
"It seems that my colleague is opposed to your statement."
Schmidt's hazelnut eyes settle on him, judgmental. "He has no reason to. Mrs Tozawa was a benevolent person, I tell you."
"Allegations of weapon trafficking have been made against Tozawa," Midoriya retorts. "Do you wish to change your opinion?"
"I know who Tozawa was," the Englishwoman replies, eyes spitting venom. "I have no doubts concerning her kindness and her integrity."
"No need to anger ourselves," Todoroki sighs. "I think none of us knew Tozawa Anri very well if we were unable to prevent her murder."
Schmidt pales, stuttering, "M-Murder? So it's official? She's been killed by the Judge?"
Todoroki learns forward, unmovable. "I think you're the one who's going to tell us about it, Mrs Schmidt. After all, we already collected testimonies from the residents, including yours. If you came here today, it means you have information you didn't want to disclose, information that would've put you in the spotlight, information, perhaps, that is crucial for this case."
Schmidt's lower lip wobbles, her eyes riveted to the floor. Midoriya notices her hands, laying on the table, trembling ever so slightly. The gleam of a silver ring on her fourth finger catches the light.
"I assume you came here to talk to us about Tozawa's own crimes."
Midoriya's eyes go wide in shock. How does he know…?
"Crimes?" Schmidt gasps. "What crimes?"
"It's useless to lie."
Todoroki's leg twitches, clearing every suspicion in Midoriya's mind. The Pro Hero's bluff a double-edged sword. If Schmidt knows, then she might succumb to the pressure of Todoroki's cold eyes and reveal everything. However, if her words are sincere, then Schmidt would know the man interrogating her isn't True Man, Tsukauchi Naomasa, but an impostor who's as guilty as herself.
Schmidt refuses to meet their eyes, her breath hitching ever so slightly.
"I don't… I don't want my fiancé to be involved."
"Of course," Todoroki almost purrs. If Midoriya knew better, he would think he was trying to seduce her. "We're ready for your confession, Mrs Schmidt."
She draws a shaky breath before whispering, "I'm working in an art gallery in Ueno but he doesn't know that I'm… that I'm selling the paintings on the black market."
The truth spills out of her mouth like a cascade, in a rush barely comprehensible. Midoriya's mind spins. Was this the link connecting Tozawa and Schmidt, their involvement with the criminal world? They may be working together, heading towards the same goal, or perhaps they never meddled with each other's illegal business.
"Money laundering. How unoriginal," Todoroki mumbles, receiving confused glances from both Midoriya and Schmidt. "I assume your husband— oh, pardon me, your fiancé doesn't know about it."
"I started before I met him," Schmidt admits, shoulders shaking as she suppresses sobs. "He doesn't know anything. I didn't… I didn't have the courage to tell him."
"So you're a coward." Todoroki leans forward, resembling to a wolf in his predatory stance and his smile full of canines. "How about you start being brave for once?"
"I just— I didn't want to tell you all this. This old life of mine is done. I'm done telling lies to Natsuhiko, I'm done being scared of the police knocking on my door to arrest me, I'm done… I just wanted to tell you about the night Tozawa was murdered."
"Then tell—"
"Was Tozawa forcing you?"
Todoroki glances at him in anger, Midoriya cutting short his question streak. The latter has to give it to him: Todoroki's an investigator who has no qualms exploiting weaknesses and twisting the knife in fresh wounds. However, 'playing bad cop' can't solve everything, as useful as it is to pry out information.
"What are you—?" Todoroki hisses under his breath but Midoriya cuts him off again.
"Mrs Schmidt, what I'm about to tell you is secret information not yet revealed to the public, but we recently have been investigating Pro Hero Knowledge. We discovered she might be involved with the yakuza in weapon trafficking as well as money laundering. That's why I'm asking you, in the light of what you confessed to us, if Tozawa Anri forced you in this business."
Silent tears stream from her eyes. Not a hiccup escapes her throat as she speaks.
"I came to Japan as an artist, not as a business manager, but I didn't… it didn't work. I had no money and my parents had cut ties with me since I've failed. I was about to get kicked out of my apartment. That's when Tozawa came to me. She offered me work. I didn't know what it entailed, only that I was well paid to work in an art gallery. It was a miracle. I must've known it was too good to be true…"
"When did you start working at the gallery?"
"It was six years ago. I don't know what position Tozawa holds but she was high in the hierarchy. With her death, the system didn't crumble but it offered me enough time to slip away. I've been waiting for this moment for a long time, the opportunity to disappear. I know I'm never going to escape my past but it's my only chance."
"Your tickets are next week?" Schmidt nods, wiping her tears, and Midoriya tells her, "Cancel them. You won't be leaving Japan."
"Midoriya?" Todoroki whispers in disbelief.
Even Schmidt doesn't believe it. "Mister?"
"If everything you told us is true, and I believe it to be true, then you're next on this organisation's killing list. Fleeing to England seems reasonable but you're a witness now."
"Midoriya, a word with you."
Todoroki's chair screeches as the Pro Hero rises, grabbing Midoriya by the sleeve and dragging him out of the room. As soon as the door shuts, Todoroki bends over until they're face to face, one hand gripping Midoriya's tie knot.
"What are you babbling about? We're not qualified to make this sort of statement."
Midoriya pushes Todoroki away, scoffing, "And do you think we're qualified to make this interrogation when Tsuragamae requested Tsukauchi?"
"I had it under control until you butted in. Schmidt was about to—"
A stifled scream startles them, their head whipping towards the room. Neither loses time to barge inside, ice already creeping on Todoroki's right arm. They both stop in their tracks when they realise Schmidt isn't alone, or rather what's left of Schmidt. Her neck is crumbling, then the curve of her mouth falls prey to the disease-like Quirk until there's nothing left. Her eyes roll in their orbit and mere seconds after, Schmidt's entire face has disappeared.
Tomura glances over his shoulder. "Oh, it's you," is all he says.
Midoriya remains frozen on the threshold. The villain didn't specify who he was talking to, but his gaze is crushing Midoriya. Next to him, Todoroki doesn't waste time and lunges at Tomura. For a second, Midoriya believes his attack will connect, but Todoroki's arm is swallowed by one of Kurogiri's Warp Gate. His attack does connect, in the end, for Midoriya feels a cold sensation down his chest, prickling him. He looks down and finds the end of Todoroki's hand outstretched in front of him, emerging from the gate's other end, and ice piercing his chest.
Immediately, Todoroki removes his hand, snarling, but his eyes never waver from Tomura. The villain is waving at them, stepping back in another portal that materialised behind him.
"Stop!" Todoroki shouts, hurtling ice spikes.
"We'll see each other soon," Tomura declares before the portal vanishes, the spikes embedding themselves in the wall.
Deafening silence fills the room. Todoroki yells in frustration, kicking down the chairs. Midoriya stares at Schmidt, who is nothing more than a pile of dust.
"Todoroki..."
The Pro Hero whirls around, growling, "What do you want?"
His eyes are brimming with rage but they lose some intensity when they take in the ice protruding from his chest. Midoriya opens his mouth but he's not sure if he speaks. He can't hear his voice above the thundering of his heart. When he next opens his eyes, the ground is far too close to him and Todoroki looks alarmed.
Midoriya doesn't know what he's telling him and frankly, he's not sure he cares. It hurts when his chest expands to take air and its contracts as he breathes out. It must be the ice.
When he next opens his eyes, he realises Tsukauchi is there as well. He looks furious, as he's supposed to be, but he's also worried if the lines wrinkling his forehead are anything to go by. Both Todoroki and him owe him explanations and perhaps apologies. Liliana Schmidt did die during an interrogation they were conducting, after all.
Let Todoroki do the explaining. It was his idea, after all.
Midoriya closes his eyes.
"So let me start again," Tsukauchi sighs through his nose, his nostrils flaring. "You decided it would be intelligent to usurp my identity and my authority for an interrogation concerning a case I'm supervising and during said interrogation, a key witness was killed by Tomura Shigaraki, leader of the League of Villains, because you were busy bickering outside. Did I get everything right?"
Midoriya and Todoroki glance at each other, daring the other to say something.
"It was his idea," Midoriya mumbles.
"It was his fault," Todoroki grunts at the same time.
Tsukauchi rolls his eyes. "I guess I was living in utopia to think you two would bond over a plant."
Midoriya stares down at his lap, cheeks burning in embarrassment. His chest's a reminder of their relatively failed interrogation with Schmidt, the wound he got now cleaned, stitched and bandaged in white gauze. Gingerly, he brings his fingers to the strips, rubbing at its faint crimson spots.
"You two are grown men and should recognise that both of you were wrong in your actions, Todoroki-san for instigating the action and Midoriya-kun, for going along with it. Prove to me that I'm dealing with adults and not children."
Todoroki doesn't hesitate falling in a low bow. "I apologise for my irrationality, Detective Tsukauchi. It shall not happen again."
"I'm sorry, Tsukauchi-san," Midoriya adds from his hospital bed.
Tsukauchi must've felt with his Quirk the sincerity of their excuses because he breaks into a smile. "Good. Even if I can't praise your action, I must recognise your interrogation skills. You still managed to uncover an illegal business and find what Tozawa was guilty of. We finally have a lead."
And what a lead it is, given by the Judge himself, Midoriya growls inwardly.
"Are you sure that it's the Judge's motive?" He asks, feigning ignorance. "After all, the League of Villains intervened, not the Judge."
"Who's to say the Judge doesn't work with the League?" Todoroki replies.
Shut up, wouldn't you?
"I don't think so. The League and the Judge have different views on Heroes," Midoriya insists.
"And how do you know that?"
Because I'm the Judge and if you don't stop acting so arrogant you'll be next on my list.
"I've studied the League's motives before. They want to annihilate all Heroes, regardless of their past, their accomplishments and their Quirks. From what we've seen with the Judge, he chooses them using a principle only he knows."
"Alliances exist for this reason, Midoriya," Todoroki ripostes. "Are you familiar with this concept? Or perhaps it's just like truces, you don't understand anything at all?"
"Todoroki-san, that's enough."
It doesn't come from Tsukauchi but from a lower, gruffer voice coming from the entrance. Chief Tsuragamae enters, taking a chair and sitting beside Tsukauchi, on Midoriya's left side. His wrath oozes out of him in the form of a menacing aura. As much as he refuses to be intimidated, Midoriya shrinks against his pillows.
"Here they are. Midoriya Izuku and Todoroki Shouto. Tsukauchi told me about your potential but it seems you both decided to waste it."
The comment stings but Midoriya's had worse, as sad as it is for him to say it. He eyes Todoroki, expecting a flicker of emotion, but instead meets a stoical face.
"Midoriya, you and I had our disagreement in the past, so I wasn't surprised when your name came up in the disaster that you called interrogation. Todoroki, however, I expected much more from a Pro Hero. Didn't your father teach you to know your place?"
"He tried."
Tsuragamae's eyes darken. "He didn't try enough, it seems. Even if you're a Pro Hero, you're not in charge here. If you think you can make reckless decisions without consequences then you're mistaken. What you did won't be left unpunished."
"I understand, sir."
Todoroki's eyes were glassy, his lips moving as if he had prerecorded the sentence. Perhaps interpreting Todoroki's passiveness as submission, Tsuragamae turns to Tsukauchi.
"We'll have to talk about your recruits. You seem to be starting a troublemakers streak."
"Chief, I believe in their potential. You have to understand youths tend to be hotheaded."
"There's a difference between impetuosity and stupidity. I want you to report before six."
"Understood, Chief," Tsukauchi nods but the man's already left the room.
The detective sighs, turning to Midoriya and Todoroki. "Don't worry too much about the punishment Tsuragamae was talking about. He'll have to understand that you couldn't predict Tomura's intervention and that it isn't your fault Schmidt died."
A lump's stuck in Midoriya's throat as he hears his superior's words. As much as he's right, because for once Midoriya's not responsible for a disaster befalling the Police Force, Midoriya can't shake the feeling it was his fault — their fault — Schmidt was murdered.
"But if you were there instead of us, Tsukauchi-san, you wouldn't have left her alone."
"Tomura might've appeared anyway. He has no way of knowing when Schmidt would be left alone. It was sheer bad luck that he had to appear when she was alone."
"But you would've done something, you would've protected her."
"You did something. You two rushed inside without thinking to defend her. That was the right thing to do given the circumstances."
"Perhaps you are right…"
Midoriya doesn't understand how Tsukauchi can smile so easily when trying to convince him he didn't kill this woman.
"Did you get your hospital leave, Midoriya-kun?"
"Yes, an hour ago. The doctor told me I was lucky the ice didn't hit vital organs."
"You two can go home. I'll settle things with Tsuragamae."
Tsukauchi rises, patting Midoriya's head before leaving. Midoriya touches his hair, unsure, and swings his legs over the bed's edge. He'll have to ask a nurse for his clothes before leaving. He resigns himself to put on slippers, adjusting his hospital gown.
He made a few steps towards the exit before realising Todoroki hasn't moved from his spot since Tsuragamae left. He's staring off into space, his back stiff and his jaw locked.
"Todoroki?" Midoriya calls, backtracking to him. "Did you hear Tsukauchi-san? We can go back home."
Todoroki doesn't react. Midoriya frowns, waving one hand in front of his face yet it doesn't elicit any response. Definitely not feeling concerned, Midoriya moves to put one hand on his shoulder. As soon as his fingers brush Todoroki, the Pro Hero recoils from him.
Midoriya equally jumps back, asking, "T-Todoroki-san?"
"I'm fine," he replies but once again, it's like his answer was already rehearsed.
Midoriya's lips purse but he doesn't say anything. He watches Todoroki standing up, eyes burning with new resolve focused on him. They're different from when they shine with irritation, the glow less aggressive. It's only when his gaze settles on the gauze wrapping his chest that Midoriya understands.
"I'm sorry for your wound," Todoroki murmurs. "I didn't pay attention to the surroundings or else I would've sensed the other villain nearby."
"He wasn't nearby," Midoriya hears himself answer. "This villain possesses impressive teleportation powers that don't always demand his presence. He can create a warp gate here but stand miles away."
"Why are you telling me this? Is it to ease my conscience?"
"We both blame ourselves for what happened. Yours is double since I was injured. I just wanted to lessen your burden."
"I don't need your pity."
"Excellent because I'm not pitying you. What I'm offering you is camaraderie."
Todoroki seems to consider it before inquiring, "What's there to gain from such a fickle partner?"
"Tsukauchi-san already paired us together so we're probably stuck together. I know I wasn't the nicest when I talked to you but here we are, both fighting for justice."
Midoriya extends his hand, remembering how a few days ago it was the opposite. Todoroki stares down on it but ends up shaking with reluctance written across his face.
"You better do something with that attitude of yours."
So do you, Midoriya thinks, or you'll be the Hero I'll frame for the Judge's crimes.
Of course the thought is farfetched and will need intricate manipulation, but for now Todoroki proved himself to be smart, capable of leading and ruthless as shown during the interrogation. It fits how the Judge's portrayed by the Police Force. Midoriya thinks it'd be a shame not to exploit this.
Todoroki's about to leave when Midoriya realises something. He calls after him, the Pro Hero glaring at him yet stopping in his tracks.
"What is it again?"
"I know you're going back to the office, so don't forget to take care of Medusa."
"Medusa?" Todoroki repeats, puzzled. "There's no one in the Police Force answering to this name or to this alias, no organisation using this acronym and no—"
"The plant, Todoroki, the plant. Don't forget to spray water on our plant."
He spins on his heels and exits, but Midoriya considers his quietness as a small victory. Todoroki didn't correct him on the plant's name or that it's their plant.
Maybe they do live in utopia after all.