Chapter 25: Izuku Midoriya and Kei Karuizawa

Time passed by and before I knew it, I found myself in the room assigned to me, Karuizawa and the others in my class who were part of the aforementioned 'Rabbit Group.' However, we were not alone, there were several other students from the other classes who were assigned to our group. But I expected no less after Chabashira's explanation this morning. The Rabbit Group consisted of fourteen people (Including me and Karuizawa, as well as Sotomura and Yukimura, two people that I've barely interacted with other than the occasional 'Hi.')

As for the rest of the group, I didn't recognize five of them. (The five other guys in our group who seemed to be part of Class B and D.) However, that was not the case for the remaining five who I had become acquainted with one way or another. For starters, there was the girl with short dark blue hair, who I recognized as being part of Ryuuen's class and one of the main members of his gang, back on the island. (Though I don't know her name.) Continuing on, all three of the girls who harassed Karuizawa were here too. I couldn't believe how awful my luck was.

"Hey, Deku." Ichinose said while waving her hand at me with her beautiful smile. Nope. I take it all back. I'm truly lucky to have Ichinose here. That's what I genuinely thought as I walked over to Ichinose before high fiving her.

"I'm so glad you're here, Ichinose." I replied with a smile of my own while closing my eyes in delight over this turn of events being a good thing for once. Ichinose replied with a 'No prob.' I then took the available seat to the left of Ichinose.

'Hmm… I wonder if she would like Mochi… like Uraraka does… wait! No! I can't be thinking these thoughts! I need to remain faithful to Uraraka until I get back to my old world and figure out if she really thought about me the same way I thought about her! She's done so much for me that I can't just betray her! Even though Ichinose's voice is so easy on the ears, not to mention that the way she smiles warms my heart every time I look at it, there's also the fact that she has plenty of physical features that I find-NO! I need to stop thinking these thoughts! I need to look anywhere that's NOT at Ichinose!' But while I thought internally, I noticed someone tapped me on the shoulder to the left of me. I turned my head to look at the other person sitting next to me, Karuizawa.

"Oh, hey, Karuizawa. What's up?" I asked as I regained my composure in front of her. But even though I was as cool as a cucumber, Karuizawa was looking at me like I had something on my face. It was a weird kind of stare that confused me. But before I could say anything more, she beat me to the punch.

"W-When did you and Class B's leader become so chummy?" Karuizawa whispered in my ear as my eyes went wide upon hearing her finish and particularly the word 'chummy.'

"I-I mean I wouldn't go that far. Though we have known each other since the first day I started attending classes and we've also hung out a bunch of times since. Usually during lunch. Why do you ask?" I asked while maintaining the confused look on my face. But in turn Karuizawa grew even more confused as she stared at me and Ichinose. And since I wasn't a mind reader, I couldn't tell what she was thinking. So, unbeknownst to me-

'H-Huh?! T-The first day?! That long ago?!' Karuizawa thought internally with a speechless look on her face. To be fair, she wouldn't normally care who Midoriya of all people is friends with. But the difference here is that he's friends with the leader of the class just behind them! That's a big deal because they have the biggest chance of taking the title of Class A away from them! Not only that but Karuizawa assumed wholeheartedly wasn't one where they held mutual respect for each other. Which led her to believe-

'I-Is she using Midoriya in a similar way to how I'm using him?!' Karuizawa realized internally with a dumbfounded look on her face. Kei was using Midoriya much to her benefit as a second shield that she can use to block herself from any and all harassment. But on the flipside, she hasn't heard anyone or much less seen anyone badmouth Ichinose before. In stellar contrast to Karuizawa, she has encountered several girls who have tried to bully her before, not just counting her middle school but here in AN too.

However, everyone seems to respect Ichinose. And while that surely can't be 'everyone' because there's surely someone out there who holds some semblance of a grudge with her. (If Karuizawa's past taught her one thing is that there will always be someone who won't like you and will try to remind you of that fact constantly.) But none of the gossip she's heard about Ichinose even suggests that someone dislikes her in any shape or form.

This led her to the question: 'Why would she even want to get along with Midoriya before he became part of the new Class A?' It genuinely didn't make sense to her. But to her utmost surprise, Ichinose caught Kei looking at her out of the corner of her eye. But before Karuizawa could say another word-

"My name is Honami Ichinose. It's nice to meet you." Ichinose said with a bright smile on her face while introducing herself to Karuizawa and extending her hand toward the latter. Kei had no choice but to accept this as they shook each other's hands while Midoriya was sitting between them.

"Likewise. I'm Kei Karuizawa." Karuizawa replied while smiling back at Ichinose. But just before this had occurred, (Specifically while Karuizawa and Midoriya were whispering to each other, and the former was in deep thought.) She witnessed the whole thing play out from the corner of her eye. This led her to this theory-

"You must be one of Deku's friends, is that right?" Ichinose asked while maintaining her smile. This made both Midoriya and Karuizawa's eyes go wide out of shock. In this brief interval of time both of them did not know how to respond to Ichinose's statement. But this didn't last for too long-

"Friends?! I-I mean I- Midoriya spoke while stuttering a bit out of embarrassment over having to correct Ichinose of her misconception. But before he could-

"Of course. Me and D-Deku have been close for a while now. Isn't that right, Deku?" Karuizawa asked but all Deku could do was look at her with a confused look on his face. Before saying-

"Um, what are you ta-ah!" I spoke but before I could finish, I gasped much to Ichinose's surprise. This was due to the fact that someone was pinching my back aggressively. And the only person that could have been was none other than-

"Oh, don't be alarmed. He had a spicy bowl of Mapo tofu in the cafeteria. If you aren't feeling well, then why didn't you say something earlier, Deku?" Karuizawa asked with a considerate tone of voice and a look that matched it all the while she was pinching Midoriya even harder than before to make sure that he got the message. Which was 'Go along with this or else.'

"Y-Yeah. That's right. My tummy has been upset ever since this morning. Probably should have stuck with regular ramen. H-Haha." I replied with was certainly an awkward laugh as I had no choice but to comply with Karuizawa's wishes. In the meantime, Ichinose stared at the both of us until-

"Well, if you say so. Feel better soon, okay?" Ichinose replied with her usual beautiful smile as I realized then and there I was screwed. But before I could say another word-

"Oh, he will. He just needs some water. I'll get you a glass of water." Karuizawa replied before reaching the door to the room and saying, 'Be right back.' With a smile on her face before exiting the room. Not even five seconds later, I grabbed out my phone and texted 'What was that about?!' to Karuizawa. (All of us in Class A exchanged phone numbers with each other, it was all Kushida's idea if I remember correctly) It didn't even take a second for her to reply with 'What do you mean 'what was that about?!''

'What I mean is why did you pinch me?! That hurt! Also, you made me lie in front of Ichinose! Why would you make me do that?!' I texted back while hiding my phone from Ichinose's view (Or anyone else for that matter) By using the table that we were all sitting at to obscure the view of my phone. I didn't have to wait long for Karuizawa to reply as only a few seconds later-

'You didn't leave me much of a choice, you know that?! If I let you have your way, then Ichinose would have surely been suspicious of us. I'm sure she noticed us whispering. If a rumor got out that we were in some 'secret relationship' then both our reputations would be in jeopardy! Trust me, I did you a favor.' Ichinose replied as my eyes shot wide open out of utmost surprise after reading her text.

Now, that I think about it she's probably right. (I mean it wouldn't take much for a rumor like that to go viral. Especially if Onodera found out about it. Just thinking about how reminded me of the fact that I'm still encountering people from time to time who think me, and Sakura are in a relationship over that video. Though the rumor is more or less dead.

But even still, if Ichinose thought me and Karuizawa were dating for whatever reason that could really make me look bad! Especially if people come up with a theory such as I dumped Sakura for Karuizawa! My reputation would be utterly ruined! I didn't exactly want to thank Karuizawa, (Especially because she pinched me) But she did raise a good point. So, I didn't really have a choice but to show my gratitude.

'Thanks. I owe you one.' I replied but a few seconds later Karuizawa replied with 'It's whatever. What's done is done. So were even. You did help me out earlier. So, just forget about it.' But after reading her text, a smile returned to my face. Karuizawa is definitely rough around the edges but that doesn't mean she's a bad person. She might be using me like Horikita said but I'm sure that she has no intention of hurting me down the line. (Because if she did, she would have probably let such a rumor become wildfire as my reputation is burnt to ashes because of it.)

However, Karuizawa prevented that from happening. In a sense she saved me, (In her own way.) So, I couldn't help but smile as my thoughts about her being someone I could place my trust in were reinforced by this. But just after my phone's screen turned off it lit up again as I got another text by Karuizawa.

'Anyway, why was Ichinose calling you 'Deku?' Now, that I think about it, Horikita did that too, didn't she? What's up with that?' Karuizawa's texted me back as I read her response. I then replied with 'Please don't think get the wrong idea. They don't call me it because it means useless. I requested them to call me Deku because a good friend I knew told me that it sounds like Dekiru which means 'You can do it.' I miss having that friend of mine around, so it makes me feel better about myself, if other people call me it. Does that sound weird?' I replied.

However, I didn't get a response, as my phone remained off for the remainder of the time that Karuizawa was outside of the room. But unbeknownst to me, she was standing just outside of the room with a glass of water in her hands. It was a mystery to me why she was standing there. But for Karuizawa-

'You can do it? … Huh. That must have been a good friend to have around. I would have killed to have someone like that in my life.' Karuizawa thought internally while biting her lip before entering the room once more.

"Here's some water, Deku." Karuizawa spoke as she wasted no time putting back on her fake smile while greeting her fake friend. Midoriya replied with a 'Thank you.' Before taking the glass of water and drinking it.

"Haah… that hit the spot. Thanks, Karuizawa." I replied with a smile of my own as I realized that I barely drank any water today because I was so preoccupied with what happened before with Shiina and Sakayanagi. (I wasn't able to find the former, no matter how much I looked for her, while the latter made it crystal clear that I wouldn't be seeing the last of her any time soon.) so, I couldn't help but feel refreshed over taking in some good oh H2O. But only a few seconds later-

"I think that it's time we get this meeting underway. Our goal here is to find out which of us is the VIP. Of course, there's the rule stating that the VIP can't admit that truth. However, people showcase noticeable 'ticks' when they are lying. So, here's my proposition. We ask each of us if were the VIP. That way we can find out between the lot of us which one seems the most suspicious. Any objections?" Yukimura (Who's features consisted of grey hair, red eyes, and round glasses) asked as me and the others nodded in agreement.

However, there were others who kept to themselves and didn't exchange in any shape or form with this discussion, those being the girls from Class C. Yukimura immediately noticed this and focused his attention on them before saying 'Are- But was cut off right after starting to talk by-

"No. I can say with one hundred percent certainty that I'm NOT the VIP. I don't really like repeating myself twice. So, don't bother asking me again." The girl with dark blue hair spoke decisively as she cut off any way that the conversation could continue with her as if she had scissors in her hands. I still had no clue what her name was and what her agenda was. (But the fact that she's working for Ryuuen doesn't paint a pretty picture.) But she was keeping to herself even when around her classmates so there wasn't much I or anyone else for that matter could do there.

"What about any of you? Oh, and I'd also appreciate it if you were to introduce yourselves to us. It's common courtesy after all." Yukimura spoke while readjusting his glasses. The girl who accused Karuizawa wasted no time responding to Yukimura's question.

"Shino Manabe. Nanami Yabu. Saki Yamashita. Mio Ibuki. And I can say attest that neither of us are the VIP." Manabe declared while pointing at her friends and the girl with dark blue hair as I learned their names in one swift response. However, this caught the attention of the girl named Mio Ibuki as her brow furrowed with noticeable anger.

"Hey. I didn't ask you to introduce me." Ibuki replied while glaring daggers at Manabe. The latter's friends Yabu and Yamashita noticed this and were caught off guard by it. But in stellar contrast to her friends, Manabe didn't seem to care.

"Too bad. What's done is done. Or do you expect Ryuuen to come here and teach me a lesson?" Manabe replied while not looking at Ibuki for a second as the latter's eyes went wide as she stood up from where she was sitting. (Which was at the far back of the room in one of the corners while everyone else was sitting at the table in the center of the room.)

"Care to repeat that?" Ibuki asked as her tone of voice made it crystal clear that she was pissed. This made Yabu and Yamashita scared of getting caught in the crossfire as they held hands out of an overwhelming sense of fear. (This was because the way they were positioned had them in front of Manabe where Ibuki was sitting. This meant that if Ibuki wanted to give Manabe a piece of her mind she would have to get through the latter's friends first.) All the while I noticed this, and I wanted nothing more than to stop this from escalating any further.

"That's enough. We're here to discuss who we think the VIP is. Not talk about other things that irrelevant to th- I spoke but was cut off just before I could finish speaking.

"Sure thing. I mean it's not like Ryuuen is going to do anything about it. His days as Class C's leader are officially over. So, don't expect him to save his princess. Hahaha." Manabe replied with a devious smirk on her face. It was then that I had come to a realization due to her words. If I were to believe her, (And there really isn't a reason why I shouldn't with her acting so cocky) then right now there is a power struggle going on in Class C. If I were to go further than Ryuuen most likely abandoned his position as Class Rep for a specific in mind. That reason being…

… To get revenge on me at all costs. But just as I was realizing this fact-

'BAM!' Ibuki kicked the chair she was sitting on down onto the ground. The loud noise it made reverberated out of everyone's ears as we were completely caught off guard by this. But that was Ibuki's intention as she used this momentary distraction to make her way toward Manabe.

"Out of my way." Ibuki declared before knocking down Yamashita and Yabu like bowling pins. And if that was the case then Ibuki would none other be the bowling ball as she collided with Manabe not even a moment later.

"You bitch. Take that back." Ibuki continued with a threatening voice that sent shivers down Manabe's spine. In the midst of that Ibuki was gripping Manabe's hair to the point that the latter was letting out grunts of pain. It was made clear to me that Ibuki was using excessive force and if she pulled any harder than she would inevitably rip out a clump of Manabe's hair. The latter realized this as she attempted to defend herself.

"How dare you touch me?!" Manabe snapped back as she tried punching Ibuki in the face only for the latter to evade the attack with ease and grab the fist that was used against her. Ibuki then twisted Manabe's fist behind her back as she got behind her and put the latter's arm along with Ibuki's own hand around Manabe's stomach in quick succession much to the surprise of the latter. Ibuki noticed this and it brought a smile to her face.

"Did you honestly think such a pitiful punch would have been enough to best me? Oh please, I'm well versed in many martial arts. What I'm performing on you right now would be considered the 'rear bear hug.' This allows me to do one of my favorite moves. I hope you'll enjoy it." Ibuki replied with a smug smile on her face before lifting up Manabe much to the surprise of everyone watching the scene unfold. My eyes went wide as I instinctively knew where this was going. Not only was this a famous move used frequently by experienced wrestlers, but it was also a move taught to Uraraka when she learned Gunhead Martial Arts! This move's name is-

'BAAAAM!' Ibuki then arched her back before throwing Manabe off her shoulder as the latter landed on her back and onto the table before falling to the ground.

"And that one's called the suplex." Ibuki spoke while maintaining her smug smile. However, all of this was being recorded due to the security camera placed in the room. Which meant that it didn't take long at all for the security guards to bust through the room. (Only moments after Ibuki had used the 'suplex' on Manabe.) The security guards wasted no time in restraining Ibuki as the latter did not put up a fight in the slightest. She was then forcibly led out of the room while I heard her mutter 'Worth it.' Just before being escorted out.

Everyone (Including me for that matter were left dumbfounded by this turn of events.) As we looked at each other with confused looks on our faces. In the midst of that I heard some of the people in the room mutter 'What do we do now?' and 'How do we even continue after that?!' Yukimura noticed (And heard) This.

"This meeting is adjourned for the time being. We can all meet up once more before nine so how does seven sound?" Yukimura asked before readjusting his glasses as everyone nodded in agreement. But just after he finished speaking, I noticed Yamashita and Yabu help Manabe back up to her feet as I saw the latter glaring daggers in my direction. Except, I noticed that it wasn't me and it was the person to the left of me, Karuizawa. Shortly after that, we all left the room and barely said as much of a word to each other. Karuizawa was in front of me, so I tapped her on the shoulder.

"What?" Karuizawa asked with an unamused look as said look on her face made it crystal clear that she had better things she wanted to do than converse with me. So, I naturally cut to the chase.

"Manabe was glaring at you and after happened to her, I think it's a bad idea if we go our separate ways now. I suggest we hang out together till seven." I whispered but my response made Karuizawa scoff.

"Are you joking? You do realize if people catch us hanging out together that could create rumors? You might not know gossip cause you're not a girl. I am. So, I know how fast that stuff can travel. And before you know it, it's already too late. So, no. I'll be doing my own thing until then. If something happens, I'll send out a text." Karuizawa whispered back as she was about to leave but before she could-

"See you later, Deku. You too Karuizawa." Ichinose replied as Karuizawa stood in place for a moment next to me.

"It was a pleasure to meet you today, Ichinose." Karuizawa spoke while using the cheerful tone that she was using before. Now in hindsight I just realized how fake it was now that I heard her real tone of voice in short succession between each other.

"Same! Let's try and meet up again. By any chance are you free during summer vacation? If so, we could all go to the school pool together." Ichinose replied while closing her eyes and holding her hands together. My eyes went wide as I imagined going out to the pool with Ichinose. This is bad. Even if she wears the school swimsuit that would leave very little to the imagination. And if she wears her own…

'… I'll die.' I thought internally with a nervous smile as I refused to imagine Ichinose in anything other than the school swimsuit. Mineta might be a huge pervert but I'm not! I respect women!

"Of course. I'm sure me and Deku will both be free. Here's my phone number, we can figure out a date that works for both of us later tonight." Karuizawa replied as she unknowingly casted my death sentence.

"Perfect! Well, I'll be going now. See you both at seven." Ichinose finished before taking her leave. Karuizawa did the same thing after saying 'See you later, Deku.' In the same tone of voice that she has been using throughout the conversation. You know, I was glad that she was trying to be nice to me, but knowing how fake it is didn't exactly make me feel all that better. I understood where Karuizawa was coming from when she didn't want people catching us talking to each other because that was a rare occurrence that was limited to the classroom. But at the same time, I thought she was overreacting.

However, I couldn't be more wrong as we were being watched by a certain person who was peering at us from behind the opposite direction of the hallway we were in. It was none other than Kanji Ike. Or should I say the imposter using Ike's face as a disguise to hide his true identity. That being…

… Kiyotaka Ayanokoji.

To Be Continued…

Next Chapter: Izuku Midoriya and Kei Karuizawa: Part 2

Go Beyond!

Plus Ultra!