chapter 16 : suspects and bounty
for some reason I couldn't put the original picture I drew with the best quality so I just took a screenshot of it. that's a picture I drew of Tango in a different AU where she went to UA but she is my main OC so I do more things of her.
now to the story!
this is late since it was Christmas and new Year! I apologize!
"Eh?" Izuku looked around until his eyes landed on the principal.
"Hello there Izuku shigaraki." Nezu says from a chair across the room and Izuku freezes. He sits there, on the bean bag frozen stiff.
And he looks at Izuku and Izuku looks at him.
This Prolonged eye contact lasts a while and Izuku doesn't notice that he is not in costume.
Izuku didn't notice that Nezu could now find him with the skills he has, he could find yamikumo.
"How do you know that name," Izuku says slowly, cautiously.
"It's your name, isn't it? I couldn't meet with you if I didn't know your name!" Nezu sips tea that came out of seemingly nowhere
Now that Izuku has recovered from the first moment, he notices.
He noticed that they were in a room that was not on the floor plans (yes he checked them) how many were there of these? Was it just this one?
Izuku stares at the principal "What do you want with me?"
"That is very simple, I would like to help you destroy the man who is after you," Nezu says something close to malicious intent in his eyes.
"And who would that be?" Izuku asks though he knows exactly who that is, he just needs to know what Nezu knows.
"A man that I am quite sure was your boss at some point, would that be correct?"
Izuku is still, and the silence is even more so.
"Something like that"
"I see," distantly someone puts their hands over their eyes "Are you perhaps related to the villain known as Tomura Shigaraki"
"Perchance" and yes he did just say that distantly someone says 'you can't just say perchance!'
"How exactly would you want to help me destroy him?"
Nezu smiles (which by the way is unsettling to see) "By giving you access to the resources you need."
That was not what Izuku had ever expected nezu to say and all he could do it sit and stare.
"I don't expect an answer yet but if you decide then you can come back here, I am sure you know the way." Nezu takes out a remote and presses a button, and the vent opens back up "If not I am sure I'll find a way to contact you"
"Let me get this straight, you are from London and you moved here with your family when you were young because your dad had a job opportunity..." Izuku points at Irene
"and you two were born here" looking towards Tango and Celeste.
"but your parents came here from California, and they originally moved to rebel against their parents" he points towards Celest.e
"And your mom is from Argentina and then went to California because of the school where she met your dad on a trip and then they met Celeste's parents AND THEN they all moved here!" Izuku points towards Tango trying to wrap his head around everything.
"Pretty much..." Celeste says with a shrug.
"But Amane, you are from Japan or that's what you think? Your family as well?" Izuku asks to which Amane nods
"Yeah well, Celeste's parents came back here because of the family business" Tango clears the whiteboard.
"What did I miss?" Irene steps into the room holding a tray with drinks and snacks
"OoooOOOooooOoo snacks!" Tango jumps out of her seat bounding towards Irene
"Yeah, my mom insisted I bring these to you guys," Irene says as she sets the drinks and snacks on the table in the center of the room.
"Your mom seems nice," Amane says with a smile and picks a few grapes from the fruits, Irene nods.
"So, Izuku now that everyone is here. Are you good to start?" Celeste says, taking a sip of her soda.
"Um, yeah! Sure," Izuku scans the room looking at his friends, he sighs "Okay well I may or may not have run into Principal Nezu, and he may or may not know who I was..."
Tango choked on the drink she had just sipped, Irene pats her back "Wow,"
Amane pauses eating their grapes "Not what I expected when you said you had something we all needed to discuss!"
"How exactly did this happen?" Celeste sips more of her soda (loudly)
"Well you see, I was in the ventilation system of UA." the whole group looked shocked "And, well I fell and he was there and he knew who I was.. He said "Izuku Shigaraki" and it scared the living shit out of me!"
Silence
More silence
"What?"
"Well, first. Why the hell would you sneak into UA?!" Celeste says in the tone of voice a teacher would use when upset with their students.
"Second, Didn't you say your name was Izuku Midoriya?!"
Izuku shrinks "Right, yeah sorry again... Shigaraki is my dad's last name and, well he called me by that last name"
"Oh, I," Celeste thinks that she should have known (but no)... "sorry,"
"It's okay..." Izuku says looking at his hands, "I should have told you guys, you deserve to know."
"WELL! Let's talk!" Tango announces loudly breaking the tension in the room.
"Right!" Irene quickly agrees with Amane nodding
Amane stands up and walks to the whiteboard, they grab a marker, "So let's go over what we know. Izuku, can you tell us exactly what happened?"
"Yeah, I can" he looks over at Amane and takes a deep breath
"Well I was exploring the vents as I said-"
"Hehehe, you're the imposter!" Tango says with a playful grin, hoping to lift everyone's spirits.
Unfortunately, they all give her a blank stare. "Okay, okay, not the best time for jokes, got it!" she laughs embarrassedly.
After a moment more Izuku starts again "Anyways, I was exploring when the vent underneath me fell and so did I. I landed in a bean bag chair right in front of the principal and he said "Hello there Izuku Shigaraki" which is something only my father and those close to him would call me."
"Okay, so then how did he know that name?" Irene asks thinking of possibilities
Izuku snaps his finger at Irene "Exactly what I said, he said that he needed to know my name to meet with me, which makes no sense!
He wouldn't tell me but I figured that likely my father finally realized that I was alive and put a price on my head"
The group looks worried, then Amane asks "Does that mean you'll have bounty hunters chasing you?"
Izuku nods "Yeah, probably, but there are also villains involved. Since my dad likely has a picture of me that goes with this bounty, people know what to look for.
I wouldn't be surprised if I saw my face on a wanted poster in the sketchy parts of Japan.
Nezu probably discovered the bounty and saw me in the vents without my noticing."
"Well that sucks," Celeste says blankly
"So, what happened after that?"
After thinking for a moment about the incident, he continued, "Well, he said he wanted to help me take down All for One.
He claimed he could provide me with the resources I needed and mentioned that he suspected I had worked for him in the past.
He also asked if I was related to Tomura Shigaraki, to which I responded, 'Perchance.'"
"You can't just say perchance!" Celeste and Amane say simultaneously
Celeste grins "Jinx!"
Irene turns to Izuku "Continue Izuku,"
"Well, he said I could take some time to think. And that was all, I just left the way I came." Izuku shrugs
"Didn't he say he wanted to help? Isn't that a good thing?" Tango inquired, curiously as she looked at Izuku.
Amane takes a deep breath and then without pausing he starts. "Principal Nezu's quirk and highSpecs, grants him enhanced intelligence, analytical abilities, and exceptional problem-solving skills, allowing him to process information and strategize at an incredibly high level.
This quirk enables him to understand complex situations quickly and make sound decisions, which is especially useful in leadership and crisis scenarios.
So I wouldn't be so trusting because he is smart enough to come up with a plan for basically anything."
Celeste dumbfounded like the rest of the group says humorously "What are you? Encyclopedia?"
"I couldn't have said it better myself, that is why we are notebook buddies" Izuku states quite satisfied.
"You should consult with your boyfriend," Irene says after recovering from the dictionary reading.
Izuku bites his lip "Maybe not, he is already at risk with knowing about my past and all of our shit so knowing more will only worry him, which would lead to unwanted attention and questions for the both of us. I'll tell him after my father is gone maybe.."
"Like nezu said, you have time to think about it. Maybe you could find a way to ask Eraserhead without asking him? He always has good advice." Tango says reaching for some pocky
"Hmm, I guess I could." Izuku thought about it, it was a good idea but the only problem was how would he ask that without letting too much information slip?
–
Akari Manka, who brought Aizawa his coffee, is the main suspect in The Verdant Analyst's case file.
He fits the suspect's age range and height, and he has a similar voice.
Aizawa even overheard him call someone "Kacchan," although he can't remember who that was.
This connection is significant because both Verdant and Akari have someone close to them whom they refer to as Kacchan.
Since this name is relatively rare, it stands out to Aizawa; it's the only time he has heard someone use it.
Aizawa had searched the public records for information on Akari Manka,
Akari Manka
Age: 23
Sex: male
Quirk: -8
The Quirk causes the user to appear eight years younger.
That would be an easy way to fake your age, Aizawa thought- or maybe that really is Verdant's quirk? Could this seriously be him?
Known relatives: Saotome Manka(deceased)
Current place of residence: Maneki-Koemi apt: Room 32 Musutafu- ERROR CODE 400:PLEASE TRY AGAIN
"Zashi did you turn the Wifi off?" Aizawa asked his husband who had just walked into the room
"No, why? Your computer not working?" Yamada asks walking over to the fridge
"What does Error code 400 mean?" Aizawa asks since he sincerely has no clue
"No clue," Yamada says grabbing some coffee jelly out of the fridge "You want some?"
"No, I'm good," Aizawa states trying to finish what he was doing.
What the hell was going on? Why was it giving him this error code?
However, he did have what he needed. "I'm going to check up on a lead for a case of mine"
"Hm? But it's the weekend Sho!" then Yamada whispers "Plus we have to find something to do for our moonlight, the kiddo's birthday in two days!"
"Right, well it's important. It's on Verdant's case." Aizawa closes his computer
"Oh! You have a lead on the little fellow?" Yamada asks now clearly intrigued
Aizawa sighs "It may be nothing but I have a feeling this one will pan out"
"Fine! Fine, you can go!" Yamada declares dramatically and Aizawa rolls his eyes
"Akari Manka?" Aizawa says knocking on the door "This is Aizawa Shota, is anyone home."
Aizawa distantly hears someone calling out "Coming! Just a second!" before hearing the sound of running.
The door opens exuberantly and a pale and disheveled old woman steps into view "Hello there, how can I help you?"
"Pardon me what is your name?" Aizawa says calmly yet he can't help but feel confused
"My name is Manka Saotome what's it to you?" The woman says now a bit protective
"I am here to discuss one Manka Akari. Do you know him?" Aizawa says questioningly and the woman's eyes widen.
"Come in," she says and Aizawa obeys stepping inside. She looks around before closing the door.
"I'm assuming you know him? Is he your son?" Aizawa says knowing that her being his mother was the most likely scenario plus it says that she is the only known relative.
"He's my brother." the old woman speaks tiredly "Many people mistake me for his mother because my quirk makes me look older."
This makes sense, the two of them have quirks that change their appearance making them look a different age than they are. Genetically speaking, it would work.
"I see," Aizawa says plainly
-(Oboro puts his hands over his eyes as the tradition goes,)-
"So, what did you need to discuss? Did he get in trouble? He must have if you're coming to me!" she says wanting to get over with the conversation "Come sit," she states gesturing to the couch.
Aizawa sits down while Saotome sits in the chair across from him "Well, no. First of all, my name is Aizawa Shota and I am working with the Musutafu city police department. I apologize for not introducing myself earlier." Aizawa says with a slight bow, "Your brother is suspect in a case that I am working,"
Her eyes widen "Oh shoot, did he hurt anyone? What did he do?"
"As I said, he is only a suspect nothing for sure. Have you heard of The Verdant Analyst?" Aizawa says not really wanting to explain.
"Yes, the one from that vigilante group, the birds or something?" Saotome says squeezing her eyes closed and clearly thinking hard
"The ducklings." Aizawa offers,
She straightens up at the name "Ah yes! That's the one!"
"Could I maybe see his room? Maybe there is a clue as to if he is Verdant or not." Aizawa asks only to receive a confused look
Saotome tilts her head in confusion "What do you mean? He doesn't live here." She states perplexed
"Did, did he ever live here?" Aizawa is uncertain about this now.
She shakes her head "No, he has been traveling for 4 years now, The last place that he lived that I can remember was some small town near New York. I only moved here 5 years ago,"
"Are you sure? When was the last time you heard from him?" Aizawa questions,
she looked up at him "I couldn't say for sure but I think it was near his 23rd birthday, I called him on his cell and we chatted for a short while before he had to leave due to work. It was around March and he was in California working a job in LA"
That was strange, Aizawa remembers seeing Akari almost every day in March as well and there had never seemed to be a time for him to leave unless he lied to his sister? "Oh? What was his job again?"
"Right, he's an actor! Not too known but since he has a mature mind but the body of a fifteen-year-old it makes things easier on producers looking for teen actors, that way they get their content without having to work with a rebellious teen." She sighs "I just wished I could stay in contact with him, most people don't even know he has a sister."
"I see, I think that's all I needed to ask you but before I leave," Aizawa pulls out his phone and scrolls for a second "Have you ever seen this person?" he turns the screen to the woman.
"No," she says and there is no trace of that being a lie, but how could she not recognize her own brother?
Unless that wasn't him. "Thank you Manka san" Aizawa bowed and turned away, walking out the door with an annoyed look; not that the nice woman would see it...
–
"Happy birthday kid,"
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!"
His parents say as confetti is popped at him.
It was a beautiful morning, the calendar marked July 1.
Hitoshi stares "Happy birthday?" he looks around the room spotting presents and balloons even a sign with the words "Happy Birthday Hitoshi" on it.
What the hell was going on?
"You good moonlight?" Hizashi asks walking to his side
Shota follows "What's wrong?"
"What are you two doing? What is all this?" and Hitshoshi is genuinely confused.
"It's your birthday surprise!" Hizashi shouts
He said, "That can't possibly be right, where are all the chores? Why is my name there and not both your names?"
There was a pause, the two parents looked at their ray of moonlight.
Hizashi snaps out of it and turns to Hitoshi "It's not our birthday moonlight, it's yours! Don't worry about chores, this is your day."
Hitoshi stares at the sign with his name. He was more than confused.
"It's all reversed..." he says in a hushed tone.
Ignoring what he heard Shota continues his husband's thought "Your birthday is a celebration of your birth on this planet."
"Sho! You're making it seem like he's an alien!" Hizashi slaps Shota's head playfully at which Hitoshi laughs
"I guess I never thought of it like that, my parents had always said it was a day to celebrate the people who take care of you, well, unless you don't live with them. Then it's about yourself since you're taking care of yourself. But when I told them that wasn't how it was for other people they had explained it was a family tradition. Family traditions are sacred so I just went along with it." Hitoshi says with a small smile
"Well then, I guess it's going to have to be our mission for you to have the best birthday ever," Hizashi announces using his radio host voice.
"First, we have a present that can not wait," Shota now has a small smile, quite similar to his sons.
Hizashi claps his hands together "Oh, yes!"
"Huh?"
"Come, it's in the closet..." the two adults lead their unknowing son towards the closet.
Hizashi places a hand on Hitoshi's shoulder "Go on, open it!"
"Okay?" Hitoshi honestly had no clue what to expect but it was definitely not what he found
After walking in it only takes him half a second to see the striped ball of fur sleeping curled up in a ball on the floor.
"Happy birthday kid," Shota says from behind him and Hitoshi can't help but think he sounds proud.
Hitoshi approaches the cat and after taking a few steps it looks up at him its green eyes vibrant in the sun.
It was a main coon cat, still a kitten judging by the size; it was a ball of fur.
Smiling, Hizashi tells hitoshi "We didn't name him, we wanted you to choose."
Hitoshi already has a name, one he had reserved for that one day he would finally adopt a cat. It was the name of the first cat he had ever met, it had been a main coon cat just like this one though the colors were different.
The old cat had been abused by its owner, Hitoshi had seen it one day and managed to use his quirk on the hostile man, but he was too late and the cat passed away in his arms.
Hitoshi reaches out a hand and the cat sniffs it, he then pets it after getting a slow blink of approval from the cat.
The cat licks his arm as Hitoshi pets him, and his parents coo at the adorable sight.
"Kazuii," he says to the cat.
"Kazuii huh? Good choice kiddo. Very original!" Hizashi says to his kid
"Any reason for choosing that name?" Aizawa asks smiling warmly
Hitoshi shrugs smiling at the cat "It just felt right"
Hizashi ruffles Hitoshis hair "Thank you."
The rest of the day was spent eating Hitoshi's birthday cake which was tiramisu opening presents and playing with Kazuii.
It was delightful, the best birthday Hitoshi had ever experienced.
o.o_
)(()()()())(
Katsuki can't say he enjoyed the final exams because he simply did not.
He had been paired up with shinsou, and they had gone against All Might.
All might is a tough enemy to defeat, but having a mind-control quirk makes things easier.
Shinsou had used his quirk on All Might before Katsuki even got to land a blow, he didn't get to show how strong he is; instead,Shinsoushowed how usefulhisquirkis.
Katsuki got angry and used his quirk on their teacher, which snapped him out of the trance and made it seem like Katsuki was trying to fail.
They still won, they still passed.
Katsuki still felt like he failed.
Failed at the one thing he was supposed to be good at.
The cheering, the congratulations.
They were minor but that just made it worse, so much worse.
It was too much, why did he think he could do this?
He clearly could not!
He wasn't strong enough.
Not smart enough.
To weak.
To angry.
To much.
"Katsuki! Your friend is here! Get your ass down here!" His mother yells
He distantly senses himself standing up, very distantly.
The door opens, or maybe it closes and now he feels a giant weight.
It's weighing him down.
He feels warm, and he thinks his hands are starting to sweat.
"Kacchan!-"
Smash
His hand is throbbing with pain.
There on the ground lays his boyfriend, theloveof his fucking life.
He lays there nose bleeding,
He falls to the ground, clutching his chest.
Then warmth engulfed him, but this time it was a sweet warmth.
Had he hurt the one person who made his life all that much better?
He closes his eyes and when he opens them again he realizes all that had happened.
"I'm sorry,"
...
"It's okay."
Now he notices
He notices the blood on Izuku.
The blood was his responsibility; it shouldn't have been there in the first place.
But it was.
And shit, it was everywhere.
Izuku stands up and reaches into his pocket,
"Lucky me, I always bring some of my meds"
He smiles and oh how Katsuki wished he could bottle that smile to take it with him wherever he went.
.–.*
"Do you want to have a get-together with your friends?" Aizawa asks "It's been a week normally this is the time to have one, pretty sure."
Hitoshi hums "Oh yeah, Kaminari had one. Maybe I could have my friends come to the Vigilant cat. What do you think?"
"That's a great Idea Moonlight!" Hizashi says
Aizawa nods "How about this Friday when school gets out?"
Hitoshi hugs them both "Sure! Thank you both! I'll text my friends!"
As Hitoshi hugs Aizawa, Hizashi makes eye contact with him and nods approvingly.
...
New chat:
Hitoshi Shinsou added Denki Kaminari
Hitoshi Shinsou added Akatani Mikumo
Hitoshi Shinsou added Mina Ashido
Hitoshi Shinsou added Ejirou Kirishima
Hitoshi Shinsou added Shoto Todoroki
Hitoshi: hey would you all like to meet after school this Friday? I am celebrating my birthday at a cat cafe.
Akatani: What time? I can meet you at the gates
Hitoshi: we get out at 3 but we can meet at 3:15
Mina: ooo! Yes yes yes! Totally!
Who is Akatani Mikumo by the way?
Denki: Sounds like fun! Count me in!
Akatani: I am a friend of his!
Mina: oooooh did you go to school together?
Hitoshi: no but our schools were close to each other!
Ejirou: I'll go! Can't wait!
Shoto: what is this? Your birthday. Happy birthday.
Mina: we're going to celebrate his birthday! He invited us!
Shoto: I have never celebrated anyone's birthday.
Denki: what would you like?
Hitoshi: whatever you think honestly no clue.
Shoto: I will buy the most expensive items with my father's credit card.
Akatani: can I bring Kacchan?
Hitoshi: totally I just didn't think he would want to come.
Akatani: I am with him right now, he says "Sure whatever."
Hitoshi: sounds like him,
Mina: wait you with bakubabe?
Akatani: what did you just call him?
Mina:?
Akatani: don't call him that.
Mina: okay?
Shoto: are you Yamikumo?
Akatani: yeah
Shoto: so you are the one that Bakugou and Shinsou are texting.
Akatani: yeah,
...
Denki rn is panicking on what he should get for hitoshi
Hitoshi got him an amazing present but what to get for him?...