Chapter 32: Tooru's one-up.

A few days after the interview, there has another boom in public perception of Izuku Midoriya. He was described as an aspiring hero whose abilities were bordering on reality warping. Time control was a power that could make or break almost any situation at hand. Strangely, there were no mentions of green head's stance on quirkless, despite mutants being mentioned. Turns out, Kizuki was promoted from one of the leading journalists in the agency to the CEO. The killer exclusive was certainly a big help in that regard.

If Izuku was sometimes recognized before, now he'd certainly be in everyone's mind. Girls at the love hotel and blood donors all wanted his autographs, not to mention trying to get closer to him. The boy gave serious thoughts to Chisome's offer about public admission.

Green head's phone received a notification one morning.

U can't C me: Hi, Izuku.

Green Devil: Hi.

U can't C me: Can I move to your house?

Green Devil: What a way to start a conversation.

U can't C me: I mean, you had no problem letting Ochako live with you.

Green Devil: She had no other place to stay.

U can't C me: Is it really necessary, though? You house is really large and pretty, just like you are.

Green Devil: Shouldn't your parents be wary of me? At least a little bit?

U can't C me: No, they said me being with you is fine. I'm not good with money though, so I was hoping you'd let be pay in some other way.

Green Devil: Figures.

"Thank goodness Nezu is paying or my expenses."

Green Devil: Tooru, are your parents neglectful?

U can't C me: No. What makes you think that?

Green Devil: To me it looks like you are desperately craving for appreciation because your family never provided you with it. The fact they are letting you go so easily serves as reinforcement of my belief.

U can't C me: You are overthinking this. I just saw Uraraka crashing at your place and wanted to do the same.

Green Devil: Still, they are letting if you stay with a guy you know for a few months without even seeing me once?

U can't C me: They saw you on TV during the Festival and in the recent publications by Shoowaysha. Plus, they are open minded people, like me!

"I hope open minded isn't a euphemism for stupid."

Green Devil: If you say so.

U can't C me: Sweet! I'll arrive by the evening.

"Mom, Ochako, I have news."

"Mina wants to live here?" Space girl wanted to tease her landlord.

"Almost. Tooru wants to live here."

"*Sigh* Whatever you say, pumpkin." Inko was suppressing tears.

"His inner demons are ruining him!"

"Mom, are you ok?" Izuku rushed to her.

"Yes, my baby. I just… can't get used to this. To how things turned out with you."

"It's been 10 years. You'd think she'd manage by now."

"She probably thinks this is all your fault. I doubt I can convince her otherwise."

"Come on, Midoriya. More often than not we are a solution."

"I know, but that's not how it may look on the outside."

"Mom, look at me, please." He grabbed her by the cheeks. "I'm still the same child who cried after hurting Kacchan. Always have, always will be. Nothing will ever change that."

"Well said, kiddo."

"*Sniff* Ok, Izuku." She hugged her son.

"Should I leave the room? I feel I'm interrupting an emotional moment." Brunette asked.

"No, it's fine." Two green heads finished their hug. Izuku got a notification.

Alien Queen: Midori, Tooru has been buzzing me about moving to your home. I've got a few things to say. First, you are never beating the playboy allegations. Second, do you think she's Midnight's secret child? She must be very horny to try something like this.

Green Devil: I think she's emotionally damaged. May be her family doesn't love her and she's jumping at me in a desperate attempt to learn what love is.

Alien Queen: I like my theory more. Or maybe she wants to one-up me in being a girlfriend. So, will you let her stay?

Green Devil: Yes. It's not a good idea to push her away, at least not until I can be sure she's really fine.

Alien Queen: You know, I could may be convince Ma and Pa to let me move in. They know you're good.

Green Devil: Please, it's already getting crowded here.

Green Devil: Hello, sir.

Big Brain: Hello, young Midoriya. Do you have issues with your quirk?

Green Devil: No. Right now I'm suspecting emotional neglect from Tooru Hagakure's parents. It's a speculation, but one I can't simply ignore. Could you please check on her family discreetly? She denied everything when I confronted her.

Big Brain: I'll see what I can do.

The visible girl arrived with two bags containing her belongings. Izuku let her into a free room.

"The rules here are simple: clean up after yourself, don't walk into anyone's personal room and don't touch my notebooks without my permission!"

"The last one sounds really specific."

"Some of the notes were taken with promise of keeping them a secret."

"It's one thing you wrote down about One For All, but why the hell did you dedicate pages to us, kid?"

"I like making notes, okay? And it's not like I'm sharing the ones about you with anyone."

"Okie-dokie. So, Izuku." The girl leaned closer. "I told you I'd pay in some other ways; I think I know how to do it."

"I'm all ears." Izuku and King Crimson put hands on their ears.

"So, how about you put that mind controlling thing in me? Then you could do anything you want: bite me, slap me, have me make a tattoo with your name, or may be force me to walk naked in public."

"She knows her place." DIO was amused.

"You know, Midoriya, I have to agree with Mina's assessment." Kira told him. "She sounds just like Midnight's daughter."

"That all sounds tempting, but I have an even better idea." Green haired boy walked towards his desk to pull something out.

"Is that a collar? Or a pair of handcuffs?"

"Even better, it's a gym membership card!" Izuku proudly proclaimed.

"What?" Hagakure was taken aback.

"You'll pay me by gaining muscles. Come on, heroes need to be in good shape, your shape is lacking."

"But what about my suggestion?"

"What's the point of mind control if you are willing to do it anyway? Seems redundant."

"After talking to Kayama-sama and seeing that prank on Yaomomo I thought you might be into this stuff. Additionally, the idea of losing control sounds appealing. Please!"

"Momo would laugh at this notion."

"No pain, no gain. Train hard and then maybe I can arrange something for you." That was Midoriya's final stance.

"You're no fun!"

Author's note: Feeling really productive the last few days.