Izuku's heart was heavy as they returned to the protective confines of U.A., each step echoing with the weight of recent events. Beside him, Kacchan's presence was a silent reminder of the support they now openly shared. The air was thick with the dust of their confrontation, settling into a tense silence that stretched uncomfortably among them until Shoto finally spoke.
"I know I messed up," Shoto began, his voice laced with frustration. "Chasing after Dabi was stupid—I let my emotions take over."
Aizawa, who had been quietly observing the group, responded with a stern yet understanding tone. "It was a risky move, Shoto. But it's done. What matters now is focusing on what comes next and not letting those emotions cloud your judgment again."
Izuku glanced at Shoto, seeing the mix of regret and resolve in his eyes. He knew all too well how it felt to be overwhelmed by personal feelings in moments of crisis. As the group dispersed, the sudden blare of the alarm jolted everyone into high alert. Izuku's heart leaped to his throat, the sound igniting a primal alertness in him. Over the loudspeakers, Midnight's voice rang out, urgent and commanding. "Aizawa, to the entrance, now!"
They hurried through the echoing hallways, each step amplifying the seriousness of the call. As they rounded the last corner, the sight that greeted them made Izuku's stomach churn—a group of menacing figures stood just beyond the school's fortified security wall. At the forefront was Chisaki, his infamous beaked mask giving nothing away from his emotions, yet the mere sight of it sent a wave of unease through Izuku.
Aizawa cursed under his breath as they approached. "Chisaki," he said tersely, "what do you want this time?"
Chisaki's voice was unsettlingly calm, almost pleasant, as if they were merely discussing trivial matters instead of the tense standoff. "Aizawa, I've allowed this... institution to stand because you've been like roaches, scurrying and hiding. But even roaches come out, eventually."
Kacchan tensed beside Izuku, his muscles tightening like a coil ready to snap. Izuku placed a hand on his arm, a silent plea for restraint. The insult from Chisaki had hit deep, but now was not the time for outbursts.
Chisaki's voice carried across the divide, calm and unsettlingly pleasant, as if they were mere acquaintances discussing mundane affairs. "Your efforts to stay under the radar have been... quaint. And I even let it go the last time your kids got in the way of my men," he said, his tone laced with faux amiability.
Aizawa's response was measured, his face betraying none of the strain Izuku knew he must feel. "They're inexperienced, but we've kept out of your way otherwise. There is no reason for this."
Chisaki chuckled, a sound that made Izuku's skin crawl. "It's come to my attention that Eri was last seen in this vicinity. You've always been one to pick up strays, haven't you, Aizawa? Compassion is such a predictable weakness."
Aizawa's jaw tightened, his eyes narrowing slightly. "We don't have what you're looking for."
Izuku felt a twinge of guilt pierce through him at Aizawa's words. He knew the truth that lay heavily within him, hidden from even Aizawa. The mention of Eri stirred a deep unease, fear threading through his veins as he contemplated the consequences of their actions.
Chisaki's smile never reached his eyes, hidden behind the beaked mask. "Oh, but I think you do. She belongs to me, Aizawa. It's time you returned her to where she belongs."
Izuku's grip on Kacchan tightened, his heart pounding. The casual cruelty in Chisaki's voice, the way he spoke of Eri as though she were nothing more than property—it was all too much. He felt Kacchan's arm tense under his hand, ready to react at any provocation.
Aizawa remained unmoved, his voice cold as steel. "Your threats don't change the facts. We don't know where Eri is. You're wasting your time—and mine."
"Don't say I didn't warn you."
As Chisaki spoke, two imposing figures stepped forward. Izuku recognized one as Rappa. His large, muscular build and fierce demeanor were unmistakable from their last encounter. Beside him stood a man whose features were less familiar to Izuku, known only from Aizawa's briefings—a tall figure clad in traditional garb, his presence almost as menacing as Rappa's.
Without a further word from Chisaki, the two launched a sudden, coordinated assault on the wall. The force of their attack sent shockwaves through the ground, bits of debris and dust billowing into the air, as cracks spider-webbed across the once-sturdy barrier.
From behind the safety of the windows, the frightened faces of students and civilians watched, their expressions mirroring the terror that gripped Izuku's heart.
"Enough!" Aizawa's shout cut through the chaos, his voice sharp as a blade.
To Izuku's surprise, Chisaki raised his hand, and his men halted immediately. The abrupt stop to their aggression was as disconcerting as the attack itself, underscoring Chisaki's control over the situation.
"I'll give you some time to think things over, Aizawa," Chisaki said, his tone still wrapped in that unsettling pleasantness as he retreated. "Consider this a courtesy, but my generosity has its limits."
As Chisaki and his gang receded, the tension briefly held before dissipating like the dust settling around them. Aizawa remained composed, his back to his charges as Chisaki disappeared from view. Once sure of their departure, he turned, his expression unreadable.
"Midnight, Mirio, gather the senior heroes. We need to talk," Aizawa instructed, his voice devoid of the earlier calm, now edged with urgency.
Izuku watched as Aizawa walked away, his mind racing with the implications of Chisaki's words. The guilt of hiding Eri was a heavy shroud around his shoulders, made all the heavier by the innocent faces peering down from above, their eyes wide with a mixture of fear and confusion.
As Aizawa marched briskly towards the emergency meeting with the senior heroes, Izuku hurried along a parallel corridor, his mind racing with the outcomes of the gathering. The gravity of the situation was palpable, each of his steps heavy with worry. He wasn't officially invited, but the need for information was too pressing to ignore.
Just as he rounded a corner, Izuku collided with a figure rushing from the opposite direction—Chieko. She stumbled into him, her expression one of alarm and urgency.
"Did you hear?" Izuku asked quickly, steadying her by the shoulders.
Chieko nodded, her eyes wide with panic. "Yes, everything. It's all happening so fast."
"Come with us. We need to find out what's going to happen next," Izuku urged, his voice low. He glanced back to ensure Kacchan was following. Kacchan was unusually quiet, his brow furrowed, absorbing the tension that hung in the air.
They quickened their pace to catch up with Aizawa, weaving through the maze of hallways until they found a suitable spot to listen in on the meeting, where they could remain unseen yet close enough to hear the senior heroes' deliberations.
As Aizawa and the senior heroes gathered for an emergency meeting in a room thick with tension, Izuku and Chieko found a narrow, shadowed gap between two buildings from which they could overhear the proceedings. They could hear the muffled but discernible voices inside the room, each tone laced with urgency and concern.
Through a slightly ajar window, Izuku could make out the figures of Ochako and Kirishima, their faces serious as they leaned in to catch every word. They were not alone; Shoto was also there, his posture rigid with anxiety. It was clear they were not part of the official discussion but, like him and Chieko, were desperate for information.
Izuku knew that others, like Jiro, were likely hidden nearby, using their abilities to stay less conspicuous while still keeping close to the meeting. The younger heroes' presence underscored the weight of the situation—everyone felt the gravity of the decisions being made within those walls.
Inside the meeting, the debate was heated. Voices rose and fell as strategies and potential repercussions were fiercely argued. Some of the senior heroes suggested they might have to find Eri and hand her over to Chisaki to avoid an escalation into outright conflict—a proposal that visibly split the group. Izuku felt an icy dread at the thought, his gaze flickering to Chieko, whose expression was a mixture of fear and resolve.
As the voices from the meeting ebbed and flowed through the thin veil of the wall, Izuku drew closer to Chieko, ensuring their conversation remained just between them. His words were a cautious whisper, barely stirring the air, "Could we trust him, though? With her?"
Chieko's eyes flickered with uncertainty, her reply just as muted, the words cautious, "No, Izuku. We can't be sure they won't decide to hand her over."
Izuku's eyes darted back towards the slight gap in the wall, then back to Chieko. The weight of their secret pressed heavily on his shoulders as he considered their options. "But if he knew, maybe he could help. We aren't just protecting her; it's everyone here, too."
Her response came quickly, tinged with a hint of frustration, with the undertones of fear. "And what if he decides the safety of the school is more important than her? We know how that turned out last time for me. What then, Izuku?"
Before Izuku could respond, a shadow loomed over them. Kacchan stood there, his gaze piercing and suspicious. "What are you two whispering about?" he demanded, his voice a low growl.
Caught off guard, Izuku stumbled over his words, the weight of Kacchan's stare unsettling him. "Kacchan, it's just—"
"Spit it out, Deku," Kacchan interrupted, his patience clearly wearing thin.
Izuku's heart raced, his initial resolve wavering as he glanced over to Chieko. Her face mirrored his alarm, but after a tense moment, she gave a small, almost imperceptible nod. Heart pounding, Izuku turned his attention back to Kacchan, steeling himself.
The voices from the meeting room still filtered through the air, Aizawa's tense expression etched in Izuku's mind as he turned away, gesturing for Kacchan to follow. "There's something you need to see," he murmured, the urgency of the situation lending weight to his words.
Kacchan resisted at first, planting his feet firmly. "Where are we going, Deku? What's going on?" His voice was a low growl, demanding an explanation.
Izuku reached out, his fingers intertwining with Kacchan's in a gesture meant to both reassure and implore. "Just trust me on this, please," he whispered, pressing forward with a gentle tug.
Reluctantly, Kacchan allowed himself to be led, his steps hesitant as he shot a wary glance between Izuku and Chieko. The uncertainty in his eyes was clear, but after a moment, he nodded slightly, acquiescing to their silent plea for trust.
As they navigated the familiar passageways, the weight of every decision, every secret kept, seemed to converge upon Izuku. He knew that revealing Eri's presence to Kacchan was the best choice, but his reaction to being kept in the dark still left him anxiety ridden the closer they got to their destination.
As they approached their destination, Izuku's grip on Kacchan's hand tightened momentarily, a silent message of solidarity and apology for the burden he was about to share. Kacchan, ever perceptive, responded with a firm squeeze, his earlier irritation giving way to an unspoken support that bolstered Izuku's courage.
Izuku opened the door, his hand trembling slightly from the weight of what he was about to reveal. Chieko slipped in first, her expression a mix of resolve and anxiety, followed closely by Kacchan, who trailed behind with a cautious, questioning look.
"Don't be mad, Baku," Chieko began, her voice steady but soft, hinting at the seriousness of the situation.
"Why would I—" Kacchan started to ask, his tone edged with confusion, but he stopped mid-sentence. His eyes widened as Eri, small and tentative, peeked out from behind a stack of boxes in the room's corner.
Izuku watched, his heart pounding, as Kacchan's face flushed with a mix of anger and shock. His gaze sharpened, turning to Izuku with a piercing intensity that made Izuku flinch.
"I... Kacchan, she was outside the campground on our first day here," Izuku stammered, his words tumbling out in a nervous rush. "Chieko found her, and I only found out recently."
Kacchan opened his mouth, seemingly ready to unleash a torrent of questions or perhaps rebukes, but then his eyes fell on Eri again. Her wide, fearful eyes locked onto his, and something in Kacchan's demeanor shifted. The visible struggle to maintain his composure was palpable as he clenched his teeth, forcibly reigning in his emotions.
Chieko stepped closer, her hands resting protectively on Eri's shoulders. "I asked Izuku to keep it quiet for Eri's safety," she explained calmly. "I didn't trust that the heroes here would prioritize her well-being over the school's security or their own interests."
A heavy sigh escaped Kacchan as he slowly sank to the floor, his anger seeming to drain away with the gesture. He looked up at Eri, his expression softening. "You okay, kid?" he asked gently.
"Yes…" Eri, tentative voice, was timid, but honest.
"Have they been feeding you regularly?" Kacchan asked.
Eri, still hesitant but sensing the genuine concern in his voice, nodded. "They bring me breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day," she replied, her voice small.
Kacchan nodded slowly and extended his hand toward her, giving her the choice to accept or reject the offer. Eri glanced at Izuku, who offered her an encouraging smile. With a shy but brave little smile, she placed her hand on Kacchan's.
"I promise we'll keep you safe," Kacchan vowed quietly, his tone sincere.
"Thank you," Eri murmured, a faint smile crossing her face as Kacchan patted her head gently.
Looking up at Izuku and Chieko, Kacchan's expression was firm. "Alright, you two. Sit down and tell me everything you've been hiding from me."
Relieved, Izuku and Chieko joined Kacchan on the floor, beginning to share the full story of how Chieko found Eri and the details of Chieko's new quirk ability.
As they discussed their situation, Eri, who had fallen asleep in that time, lay quietly on a makeshift bed in the room's corner, her chest rising and falling rhythmically in sleep. The tension among them was palpable, but they kept their voices low and moved away from Eri's resting place, careful not to disturb her fragile peace.
Kacchan leaned against the far wall, his gaze intermittently shifting to Eri to ensure they hadn't woken her. "We should tell Aizawa," he suggested quietly, his voice barely above a whisper, "but only Aizawa, nobody else."
Chieko's response was immediate and sharp, though she too kept her voice hushed, mindful of the sleeping child. "We can't just trust him, Kacchan. They might not prioritize Eri's safety the way we do."
Izuku, standing between them, felt a familiar knot of anxiety in his stomach. He trusted Aizawa deeply, yet the magnitude of their situation made him consider all consequences. "Chieko, Kacchan might be right. Aizawa has always guided us well. We don't have to decide anything right now, but maybe talking to him could give us a new perspective or a better plan."
The frustration in Kacchan's tone was clear as he countered Chieko's resistance. "We're running out of time. If Chisaki attacks and overruns the school, it ends the same way—everyone's in danger, and Eri gets taken anyway."
Chieko, visibly upset by the implication, shot back, "Are you suggesting we just hand her over to avoid a fight? Is that it, Baku?"
Kacchan's voice grew tense. "That's not what I'm saying. But maybe Aizawa can help us find a middle ground, a plan that keeps everyone safe."
Their shared fears and frustrations charged the air in the room, but as they continued to debate, they remained acutely aware of Eri's presence, making sure their voices never rose enough to disturb her.
Finally, Kacchan's tone softened, his words measured. "Look, I don't like this any more than you do, but we need to think about all our options. "
As Kacchan's measured tones tried to bridge the tension, Chieko interjected with a note of worry, "I'm worried this will backfire on us." Her voice was tense, reflecting the gravity of their decision.
Before they could delve deeper into their fraught discussion, the room suddenly shook, startling everyone. Eri, who had been sleeping quietly, sat up in alarm, her eyes wide with fear. Chieko was by her side in an instant, her hands gently reassuring the frightened child.
Another loud boom resonated, more intensely this time. The building vibrated under its force, and small pieces of plaster rained down from the ceiling, dusting their hair and shoulders with white.
"I'm going to check what's happening," Izuku announced urgently, turning to Kacchan. "Stay here with Chieko and Eri."
"No, I'm coming with you," Kacchan insisted, his expression set. Together, they rushed out, leaving Chieko to comfort Eri.
Peering through one of the school's windows, Izuku and Kacchan could see clouds of smoke and debris clouding the air outside, the aftermath of a violent assault on one of U.A.'s outer walls.
"They're already back." Kacchan said.
From the doorway, Chieko peeked out, her face stricken. Izuku met her gaze, the remorse in his eyes deep and palpable as he made a silent decision. The sight of the ongoing destruction was a brutal reality check.
"We can't do this on our own," Kacchan finally said, his voice losing its earlier defiance as he turned to face Izuku and Chieko. "We have to trust Aizawa."
The acknowledgment of their need for support was a turning point. As the sounds of conflict escalated outside, the Izuku understood that the time for secrecy and hesitation had passed.
With a heavy heart, Izuku nodded in agreement. "Let's go tell him—now."