AN: Hey guys just wanted to give you a heads up that this Chapter does contain some small spoilers if you haven't read the manga just a quick FYI. And just to let you guys know there's many more surprises ahead and as for out favorite One for All user's relationship status...you'll have to read about it ;) Don't worry everything will eventually be explained. Again thank you all for continuing to read this story.
X
As the next day rolled around, she found herself frowning as she scanned over her work on her desk next to her helmet. Although she did have a rather long shift with Jirou that day, nothing compared to the piles of paperwork that awaited her in her office that needed to be filled out and signed after every arrest. And that was just on a normal day, she didn't even want to think about the work that had to be done if there were any unexpected incidents.
Every detail had to be written down and then again on the computer before it could be completed. Glancing at the clock on the wall she pursed her lips and forced what little energy she had left to finish up.
"You know staring at that damn clock isn't going to magically make time move faster."
Pressing her lips together she slowly raised her head to see Bakugo still comfortably sitting on the chair on the other side of her desk with his feet resting on a smaller pile of papers that she still had to get to. His own work lay resting on his lap as he looked through the paper in his hand while thoughtfully tapping the end of his pen against the side of his head, no doubt double checking that everything was done to his liking.
He'd been sitting here in the same position for the last hour and a half without any explanation as to why, but he was sure to comment on anything she did even if she didn't say anything. He just let himself in and sat in the chair like he owned the place.
Deciding that instead of giving him the satisfaction of a respond she silently shook her head and forced her eyes back down. The sooner she could finish this the sooner she could go pick up Kiseki and be home.
After their little spat the other day things have gone semi-normal with the exception that she still successfully kept her distance unless it was work related, which she knew he would appreciate. So, it was quite a surprise when she found him still sitting here.
"Could you not do that. That shit's getting annoying."
Pausing in the middle of her writing she looked up to see him still concentrating on his work. "You're kidding right? My writing is annoying you?" she confusingly blinked unable to comprehended as to why. "Didn't think that was possible." She muttered to herself when he didn't respond and continued working.
"Neither did I, but congratulations you successfully managed to do it." He lazily twirled the pen in his hand, never removing his eyes from the paper in hand.
Clearing her throat, she continued to try and ignore the very fact that he was still here.
Discreetly he watched her silently as she worked from his place on the other side of her desk, finding enjoyment in the fact that his presence here was obviously distracting her. With a hint of a smile, he began to drum his pen against his paper while mouthing some words to a song he'd been practicing with the band.
Gripping the pen in her hand she frustratingly continued to work while glaring up at him every chance she had. "Do you have to do that?" she finally snapped which made him turn his head in her direction.
"Do what?" he asked and she could have sworn she saw a barely noticeable smirk trying to form on his lips "Do you mind Round Face? I'm trying to work here."
"Y-you're the one making all that noise!"
"Funny coming from the person shouting in my ear right now." He disappointingly shook his head before resuming drumming his pen.
"That! That right there!" She pointed out. "Do you have to do that?"
"Mm-hmm." Nodding he couldn't hide the smug smirk growing on his face any longer.
She knew it. She knew he was doing this on purpose and now she was only fueling his amusement. "Why are you even here instead of your desk in your office where you won't have anyone bothering you?"
"Because instead of being in the warm quite confinement of my own office-which is at least organized…" he quickly added receiving an eye roll from the brunette. "I figured I get to stay here and bother you." Hearing her disbelievingly scoff he gave one final smirk before refocusing on his papers.
"But…but your office-"
"Is great I know." He mumbled.
"Well, if it's so great then I'm sure you would be much more comfortable there." She forced a smile while she played with the pen in her hands. "You can't possibly be comfortable here." She eyed the stiff chair he sat on.
"Actually, now that you mention it…" Playfully tapping his pen on his paper he slowly shook his head. "The chair in my office hurts my back."
Slowly blinking back Uraraka was pretty sure that the one time she had been in his office with Mina and Kiseki -however brief that was- she saw he had the same chair as everyone else. And anytime she sat in it felt like this chair had been specifically made for her and had on times debated on taking it home with her. "They're comfortable."
"Still hurts my back." He argued back.
"Ok well I'm sure if you talk to Todoroki-"
"Have." He tilted his head watching her carefully.
"Bakugo we all have the same chair and it's the best chair I've sat in."
"It's uncomfortable."
"How?"
"Already told you it hurts my back." Dropping his papers on her desk he smugly placed his hands behind his head.
"But this chair-"
"I can deal."
Narrowing her eyes she slowly nodded. "Well, if you like it so much then I'll let you borrow it."
"Said I can deal." He shrugged. "Doesn't mean I love it."
"Well then I think you can do the same for yours-back in your office."
"It's also itchy." He fully grinned when he heard a low growl coming from the girl. "And makes this weird squeaking noise too."
Dropping her pen along with her patience she dangerously stared at him, and he had the feeling that with just the right push she would jump over this very desk and strangle him. Leaning forward he gave a light chuckle. "Do I make you nervous?" When she didn't respond, only settling with an unamused expression he raised his lips in a halfway smile. "Well it's just I couldn't help but wonder that me being here really bothers you."
"Gee whatever gave you that idea." The words sarcastically dripped from her voice.
"And here I thought that we were getting along." Stretching his arms above his shoulders he looked back at the clock, realizing what time it was. "Tell you what Round face, I'm sure that my back will feel much better if someone were to give it a nice quick massage."
"What?" Snapping her head back in surprise she felt her mouth drop open with a painfully obvious blush while he just remained unfazed by the suggestion.
Did he think she would do it? Hell no, he'd be lucky to make it out alive after this and it's not like he wanted her to either way. But the way she seemed to react whenever he was around, especially now made him curious to know why.
"You're kidding right?"
"Maybe I am maybe I'm not." Leaning forward with his elbows now resting on the desk he regards her for a moment before his eyes narrow. "Call it payback for the fucked-up shit you pulled the other day."
Snapping her mouth shut she quickly got to her feet aware of the way he slightly jolted back. She wasn't sure whether it was out of instinct in preparation of what's to come or that he hadn't expected her to actually do it. "I already apologized for that."
"Doesn't change the fact I had to walk around with fuckin wet pants until I got it to dry." He fired back before getting up.
"Forget it."
"Thought so." That smug grin of his reappeared when he realized he'd been right. "Figured it be too much for you anyways." He lowly chuckled when he saw her puff out her cheeks. "Alright look if you must know Shitty hairs been on my ass about working doubles."
"So, you're hiding here?" she wanted to clarify.
"Not hiding just tired of hearing that shit. But yea that's part of it." He admitted.
Sighing, she snatched up the rest of the papers before lifting her bag over her shoulder.
"Where you going?" He glanced back at the clock knowing she had at least a good half hour left.
"Here, make sure you lock up." She tossed him the keys as he effortlessly caught them in one hand as she walked right past him. If she could make it now, she wouldn't have to deal with the bad traffic on her way to the daycare. Not giving him the chance to speak she quickly walked out of her office and down the hall leading to the elevator.
Hearing the Ding of the elevator made her eyes snap in that direction curious to see who it was before her eyes instantly lit up.
Pausing once outside the elevator Hitoshi Shinso let his eyes bounce around the place with Deku next to him. Now dressed in his hero suit which consisted of a short sleeved black shirt and pants with purple straps around his thighs and calves, white and purple boots with mini speakers on the sides. He looked very much the part, but still held onto the scarf Mr. Aizawa gave him as well as the artificial vocal cord mask.
"Like I said nothing big." Deku sheepishly rubbed the back of his head after coming across the familiar face in the lobby.
Raising a dubious brow Shinso turned to him. "When you guys said this place was big you weren't kidding."
"Yeah well…." Grinning, they both stopped talking once they heard a friendly voice call out to them.
"Uraraka?" Widening his eyes Shinso could see the eagerness in her eyes as she picked up the pace. Even though this was the whole point for his visit he still couldn't stop the shock from crossing his face after a year of not seeing her bubbly face.
"Shinso hey!" Forcefully grabbing him in a hug she giggled when he jolted back in surprise before smirking down at her.
"Hey Uraraka, been a while."
"Yup!" She smiled when he returned the hug. "What are you doing here?"
Smiling, he was just about to respond when another rather loud gruff voice echoed down the hallway.
"Oi I'm not your damn maid!" Gripping the keys in his hand after locking the door Bakugo angrily stomped his way down the hall.
"Bakugo?" Shooting his brows up in surprise Shinso's eyes snapped to both Deku and Uraraka before stopping at Bakugo who now stood in front of him.
"Here." Quickly tossing the keys back to her made her instantly release her hold on Shinso to catch them while Bakugo now turned back to him. "What are you doing here eyebags? Aren't you a long way from whatever it is you're doing?" Keeping his suspicious eyes on the purple haired guy in front of him, he couldn't shake the feeling that although only catching brief glimpses of him at Iidas agency or the quick meetings that were mandatory when the police were involved, he hadn't really talked to the guy but yet somehow felt like that wasn't necessarily true.
"Well as Bakugo has kindly pointed out, this is my first time here. Since I'm usually at Iidas or helping out Mr. Tsukauchi." Shinso explained as he nervously rubbed the back of his neck. "But after hearing that you're back I guess I couldn't help but see for myself."
"So, you came to see me?" she timidly smiled reconfirming it when she saw the hint of a blush on Shinso's cheek.
"I told him you were up here when I saw him downstairs looking for you." Deku said.
Rolling his eyes Bakugo impatiently folded his arms over his chest. "Don't you have somewhere to be Round face? You seemed in a big hurry a minute ago."
Pressing her lips together she shot him a small glare before apologetically smiling at the other two. "Sorry to cut this short but…"
"It's alright." Shinso nodded before adding. "But do you think we can catch up sometime?"
"Sure I'd like that."
Watching her wave goodbye had Bakugo wondering why the hell he was still standing there instead of getting ready for his next shift. "Whatever I'm out of here."
"Me too, I've gotta hand in some work to Todoroki who's downstairs, but you can come with me if you want." Deku said to Shinso.
"Ok I'll meet you downstairs." Shinso watched as Bakugo continued to walk further down the hall before jogging up to him. "Hey Bakugo!"
"What now?" Groaning the blond turned only to freeze in place.
"Sorry about this." Stepping sideways Shinso only stopped when he was directly in front of him watching as Bakugos eyes became cloudy as if in a trance. With intense concentration he pushed and pulled open his mind like a door following the familiar path of his mind the way Daichi taught him. It wasn't anything as impressive as his old mentor could do but it was enough to check in on his old classmate to make sure everything still remained in place and that the door to his hidden memories was still locked tight before opening his eyes and finding the two of them still standing in the hall.
.
To anyone else the interaction only lasted mere seconds but to him it still felt like he had been dragging his feet for hours, the thought of still digging in someone's mind like this continued to weigh heavily on him as the days went by. But he had made a promise, and this wasn't about him but about saving lives and if this made him the bad guy then he'd take responsibility for it if it meant keeping them safe.
Dropping his eyes to the floor he had to keep reminding himself that this was for the best. She knew it, he knew it, heck everyone who still remembered what happened knew it. If Bakugo realized what was a good chance of happening in the future, then they would have failed at preventing it and all of this would have been for nothing.
"Shinso?" Uraraka voice came out small as she continued to silently stare at his tired form. When he finally looked up, she could see the toll this was taking on him.
"W-we were wondering what kept ya." Deku quietly said next to her by the elevator.
"Must've missed the elevator." He somberly said before looking back up at Bakugo and brushing past him. "Time to wake up Bakugo."
Blinking once then twice Bakugo only saw Shinso walk past him before hearing the elevator door close shut. "The hell?" rubbing his head with his palm he thought about what he was meaning to do before he remembered needing to get ready for the second shift.
X
"So, I'm guessing you're not hungry." Deku quietly said once they stepped outside. He had been meaning to talk to Shinso about this for some time but never found the courage to bring it up since this was still hard to think about but decided right now was as best time as any. "How is he?"
"Good. Or as good as can be expected from what I can tell." He only said squinting his eyes up at the sun. "But I could still use a good meal after that."
"That intense huh?" Deku nodded in understanding his green eyes flicking over to Uraraka who stood silently next to them. "Uraraka?"
"Sorry I um…" Clearing her throat she forced and failed to keep the small smile on her face.
"It'll be ok." Deku fondly wrapped a stiff arm around her which she appreciated. Even after all these years the One for All user still had a nervous habit when it came to things like this, but nonetheless she appreciated him for trying. "We'll find a way Uraraka. I know we will."
Nodding Shinso gestured for them to keep walking to avoid any unwanted attention since the media were always scouring the building in hopes of getting an interview with someone.
They were about to part ways when Deku suggested for them to pick up something quick to eat before going with her to pick up her son, then they'll be able to enjoy their meal while catching up which was how they ended up sprawled on her apartments carpeted floor with Kiseki happily playing with some of his toys while they ate.
"Sorry about this again, just got word that everything won't be arriving until a couple of days from now." She embarrassingly said hoping they'd accept her apology.
"It's fine." Deku grinned down at Kiseki who was staring at his hair in awe before he pushed his meal aside to carefully pick him up. "That way we can all eat together, right Kiseki?"
Smiling Uraraka nodded with her mouth full of food before quickly swallowing. "Deku just be careful with your-"
"Ow!"
"…hair." She helplessly finished a second too late since her precious son it seemed was currently trying to pull his hair out. "Here let me." Getting on her knees she carefully detangled his grip from his hair before holding him and sitting back down.
"Kinda scary, isn't it?" Shindo snorted after swallowing down his food with some water. "The way he just reminds you of Bakugo."
"Well he does seem to have some of Kacchans habits." Deku awkwardly grinned while rubbing the sore spot on his head now.
"Think so?" Uraraka gently looked down at him. "I think he's precious."
Smiling, they both silently watched as she quietly played with her child knowing that she was great at being a mother.
Looking down at what remained of his food, Shinso slowly began putting it away careful not to make a mess. "So, how's things going with him anyways? I've spoken to Kirishima from time to time and from what he tells me he's doing good."
"That's what I gather." she admitted. "Although I wouldn't really know since I try not to get too involved."
"Oh?" Raising a questioning brow Shinso remembered the interaction in the hall earlier.
"Don't worry, I'm keeping my end of the deal." She reassured him. "For all I know he just thinks of me as another dumb extra he went to school with."
"What-Uraraka no." A deep frown tugged at the corner of Deku's mouth knowing that was the furthest thing from the truth. "You know that's not true."
"Yeah? Well how much easier would it be if it were." She let her eyes bounce between the two before lowering her voice as she once again stared down at her baby. "I'm not even sure what he remembers..."
"You know…I've been thinking about something." Deku thoughtfully rubbed his chin the same way he always did when something puzzled him. "It's been actually bothering me for some time now."
"What is it?"
"Well, you remember that incident with the Shie Hassaika? The one where Sir Nighteye…" when he saw Uraraka give a faint nod he continued knowing that that was still a sensitive topic for some of them. "Well, that got me thinking…he was so sure that the future was set and that there's nothing that can change it right? Well, he was wrong about that, so what makes you think that this isn't like that?"
"I'd be lying if I said I haven't thought about that…" she admitted. "But…I can't risk it knowing that it could come true Deku."
"But we'll find a way like we always do." he insisted. "Like we managed to save All Might remember?"
"Say that's true. Say that by some miracle we could stop the future from happening." She said looking between them. "What then? Do I just show up and tell him that I've been lying to him all this time? That we have a child together? That everything he's worked for so long gets taken away again all because we can suddenly be together? I can't do that. I can't just disrupt his life like that. I can see that he's truly happy right now, so close to getting everything he's ever wanted since the moment I met him. So, I have no right to do that."
"Uraraka…"
"He's already made a life for himself Deku." she quietly said. "A life without me. So please…I can't do that to him. Not again. Not after I…"
Wiping his eyes Deku couldn't think of anything to say. He of all people could relate what it meant to try and keep people he cared about from harm even if it meant trying to shut them out of your life like he thought he had to do during their first year at UA. But he came to understand that that wasn't always the way. Sometimes you had to accept the hand that was being offered to you and that's exactly what he'd do for her as well as any of his friends. But he couldn't do that unless they found a way to stop this for sure. "Well find a way to save them Uraraka. I know we will."
"Always trying to safe everyone." She warmly smiled at her best friend.
"Sorry it's what I do." He grinned back.
"Well in the meantime…" Shinso trailed off unsure of how to ask. "Everything will be fine as long as you remember your promise."
"I do." she determinedly nodded before nervously pressing her lips together. "But can I ask you something?"
"Sure, what is it?"
"How much does he remember?"
"Hmm." Leaning back on his hands he thought about it for a while as he glanced at the ceiling. "Everything…well everything except the idea of you two ever being together. In his mind it's like first year except he would consider you to be a good friend since like Daichi said; you made quite the impression on him. So, to completely remove you would be hard given the three years of school, the festivals… anything really would be hard to fully remove. Or at least that's what I've been told." Upon seeing their confused faces, he elaborated. "Daichi was the one to gather them all up -if that's easier to understand- and locked them up in the deepest parts of his mind, one he cannot get through. I just check in on him daily to make sure everything's still that way."
"Like you did back in the agency today." Deku nodded in understanding.
Nodding Shinso remembered the vigorous training he had to go through for months to finally get to this point, only finding he had more to his quirk after the fight with Hanna when he received a quirk awakening was hard to swallow. Never in his wildest dreams did he ever fathom the thought of being able to do more with his quirk. It both scared him and pushed him further to find everything he was capable of doing with his quirk.
Dragging his eyes back down her he slowly sat up straight. "I've been calling him every morning from an unknown number because that's when I feel like his emotions run the highest, to avoid the door from accidentally opening."
Knitting her brows together she quizzically stared back. "But you said that it was locked."
"It is. But if something where to trigger it…" he trailed of before shaking his head. "But that's not possible. Not with the way it's locked. There's no way it can be tampered with we made sure of that."
"Well, that's good I guess..." Deku said but his tone said otherwise.
"So, you've been giving him a hard time huh?" Shinso attempted to somewhat lighten the mood feeling like he was responsible for ruining their small dinner plans.
"Kind of." She gave a faint smile remembering their little disagreement the other day.
"That's good, that guy could use to be brought down a peg or two." He chuckled when she threw a napkin at him.
"And here I thought this dinner wasn't going to get messy." Deku defeatedly smiled when he felt something hit him in the head.
X
After Deku and Shinso helped clean up the mess and say their goodbyes, Uraraka laid out Kisekis pajama on her makeshift bed on the floor of her room when she heard the front door close. Curiously she picked him up and peeked her head out of her room to see Kenzo taking his shoes off. "How did it go?" she asked but upon seeing his angry expression could tell they hadn't made any progress. "That bad huh?"
Shaking his head he made a bee line to the kitchen holding a small plastic bag. "Got hungry after not getting anywhere with the police. Picked you up something in case you got hungry."
"So, there is a sweet side to you after all." She smiled as she walked in to join him.
"Don't get the wrong idea mouse, that no good brother of mine forced me to bring you something from the bar." He growled as he held it out to her.
"Oh well I'll make sure to thank Riku too next time I see him." She said as she placed it in the fridge. "Deku and Shinso were here earlier so I already ate, but I'll leave it here for tomorrow. It'll be nice to actually have a good meal for breakfast instead of picking something quick from one of the places near work."
"It'll be fuckin better once all our shit gets here." When he saw her covering Kiseki's ears he rolled his eyes. "Let the boy get used to it now, god knows he'll hear it later and it'll make him tougher that way."
"How?" She frowned as he brushed past her after playfully ruffling Kisekis hair in greeting. Only pausing to eye the small blue bracelet he still wore around his tiny wrist before he looked up to see her raise her own wrist in confirmation.
Nodding he continued exiting the kitchen mumbling about the moving company.
"About that…I talked to them, and they said our things won't be here until two days from now."
"Well that's one hell of a delay."
"I know, I can't wait to finally sleep in my bed." She softly giggled down at her baby. "And I'm sure I'm not the only one."
Putting his shoes back on Kenzo quickly opened the front door. "Going out to see if anyone will talk."
"Did you check in with Tsukauchi?" she asked, watching as he pointed at his ankle monitor before closing the door behind him.
Exhaling loudly Kenzo tried his best not to remove the damn thing from around his ankle. But as much as it bothered him, he understood why they were still wary about trusting someone like him, but this felt more like a damn leach than anything. He knew that given his history with the law this was the best he could hope for. Now if only he could bring those Ipponmichi guys down he would finally be able to rest knowing all of this was at least worth it. That his little brother's death would finally be avenged and could move on with his life. Finally, do right by Riku and be the older brother he deserved.
With that in mind Kenzo quickly made it out of the building and into the night hoping that tonight would help get them closer to what Hana and the Ipponmichis end game really was.