'Don't fret. You can take my hand, Arisu.' The words of my father from a scene a long long time ago replayed in my mind as I recalled the gentle smile on his face. But even though he was always so nice to me and never spoke harshly about me, not even once, I hesitated. Because if I were to take his hand, would that prove that I needed to rely on others to sustain a normal life? No. I've already been doing that ever since I drew my first breath. It was only natural that babies would rely on their parents to be taken care of and protected.
However, I was already eight years old when my father asked me those words. I was already capable of walking by myself. Or at least I should have been. If it weren't for the congenital disease affecting my heart, I would be able to do whatever I desire on my own without relying on a single person. But that's not possible. It's a disease that can't be cured. I'll have to live with it for the rest of my life. I was already fully aware of this cold hard truth ever since I was diagnosed with it when I was four years old. But back then I didn't really mind it all that much. It felt… nice to have other people take care of me, especially my father…
… But is this really how my life is always going to be? A life where I must have others help me in order to survive? Is that the life I 'want' for myself? Why was I even thinking of such a pleasant memory right this very second? That was because once again, I needed to rely on someone to move forward. That person… Izuku Midoriya. The same person who enacted a series of events that destroyed my family's social standing and in turn was the reason why my father lost the will to live.
'Izuku Midoriya… this isn't over yet. You may have enjoyed knocking me off my pedestal. But know this. I WILL have my revenge. I will make you suffer just as much as I have. That feeling of betrayal, where everyone who was once so nice to you, only for them to take back their kindness and treat you like garbage. Mark my words, I will make you experience that feeling just as I have.' It should have been all his fault. That would have given 'meaning' to my revenge. And yet…
'… You may think that by hitting me, this means were enemies now. But it doesn't. All of you may hate me now. But even so, I don't view any of you as my enemies. Because I can say for certain that no one in this classroom is my enemy. How could I say anything that goes against that after most of you have treated me with nothing but kindness? And even to the one person who did betray me, you aren't my enemy. I have no enemies here. And that's why… I won't fight back.' I felt nothing from it. No. That was wrong. I did feel one emotion that had eluded me in that moment. It was because it was the very first time, I felt such an emotion. That emotion being…
… Regret. Why did I try to destroy Izuku Midoriya's social standing in the first place? Was it to avenge my father? No. What purpose would that have when I would never be able to see his face ever again, much less hear him congratulate me regarding my impeccable grades which he would pat me on the head for. My father might as well have been lost within the sands of time, incapable of being dug out and forever swallowed whole by them. The only thing I have left of my father are my memories of him. Memories of when he loved me…
'The day right after I learned Hajime died my daughter was diagnosed with a rare heart disease that made damn sure she's never walk properly again effectively making her a cripple for life. Meanwhile Hajime's children were perfectly healthy while my daughter was cursed to be a fucking cripple for the rest of her life! Even her brain wouldn't be able to salvage what her body lacked! What an utter disgrace!' As well as memories of when he undoubtably hated me. Which were exactly supposed to be the truth? Did my father grow to hate me over time? Or did he hate me from the very beginning? But if that's the case then… why would he…
'There you go. Now come along, Arisu. One day you will become the head of our prestigious family. It would be a shame if you stayed cooped up in your room studying till then." My father spoke with his usual smile while guiding me out of my room. His hands were so much stronger and bigger than mine. With each step we took together, I didn't even need to use my cane. I could walk freely without needing to hold that accursed metallic object. It didn't take long for us to make it outside. And when we did, the harsh rays of the sun hit me in my line of sight.
It was the middle of summer, so I had no choice but to avert my eyes from the shining star in the deep blue sky. My father, who had his eyes on me the whole time, noticed right way what the issue was. He then used his free hand to reach into his suit's inner pocket. And from there, he grabbed something out from within it. I wasn't able to see it until he put it on top of my head. It was-
'I was meaning to give this to you later on but today's a rather tropical day, don't you think? Anyway, you can have it now. It's just a little something I picked up when I was attending a business meeting in France. The French tended to wear things like these on their heads. I know it won't be quite as effective as a sun hat. But I hope you like it.' My father said after giving me my precious beret. But it was just as he said, it didn't do a good job blocking the rays of the sun. Nor did it help that it was black, and it attracted the heat as a result. But even still…
'Thank you… I'll take care of it." I replied with a bright smile while closing my eyes. I thanked him. I was truly thankful that he gave it to me. It didn't matter that it wasn't an expensive diamond necklace or anything else that would have a huge price tag on it. What was important was that it was my father that gave me this gift. It wasn't as if he hadn't given me gifts like this before. But this was the first time that he had given me one without me requesting him to do so. That made the beret 'special' to me. And that's why I treasured it as the most important article of clothing in my possession.
I made sure to wear it every single day. Even when others wouldn't see me. Because whenever I wore that beret, I felt that my father was near, and watching over me as he did on that summer day. But now…
Chapter 52: Izuku Midoriya and Arisu Sakayanagi
"Whoops. Sorry about that. Here you go." Izuku Midoriya said with an apologetic look while carrying me. Not only that but while he was speaking, he grabbed my beret off the ground while carrying me with one hand. He was freakishly strong. Even though I certainly weighed less when compared to my peers, that didn't change the fact that he didn't waver even a little bit when he was holding me in the air with a single arm. Though it didn't surprise me all that much. I knew that he wasn't normal, the day that I first met him when he outran the limousine that picked me and Katsuragi up. But then again… surely…
… I'm not normal too. I knew that from deep within my fragile heart that could shatter like glass if I'm not too careful. And if I'm not normal…
'Unfortunately for you Arisu, no one has ever loved you. They only obeyed you because you were in a position of power. Well, I suppose that's something we have in common.' If I had never been loved like 'he' said I was. Then what point is there for me to have that beret on my head any longer? There wasn't a point. That's why I shook my head a bit until the beret fell once more onto the ground below. Of course, Izuku Midoriya being the kind person he is, picked up that thing that no longer belongs to me with ease. But before he could place it on my head-
"I don't want it… just throw it in the trash where it belongs." I replied with a serious look on my face. I didn't want that thing anymore. I had no right to wear it on my head. So, it might as well be discarded forevermore. That way…
… I won't be reminded how much my father despised my very existence in his last moments. But while I was averting my eyes from his face, I did not expect what he would say next.
"Sakayanagi… we need to talk." Midoriya said with a serious tone of voice that matched the look on his face. I instantly noticed both of those characteristics; the moment I heard him speak. It was as if my eyes had a mind of their own and wandered to him. It… confused me. Not only that but why on earth did he say something like that? After all, that's what we're already doing.
"And what's stopping you from saying whatever may be on your mind right now? It's not like I could run away from you. So, just say what you want and get it over with. At this rate, I'll be late to homeroom. Surely, you wouldn't want the same thing to happen to you after all the unexcused absences that you have accumulated?" I replied knowing full well that he would abide by my words. I mean, there's no way he would actually propose the asinine notion of us skipping class together-
"Actually, I was hoping that you'd be open to the idea of us skipping class together?" Midoriya asked with a nervous smile on his face. All I could do was blink my eyes a few times out of sheer surprise. But that only lasted for but a moment until I processed the utterly baffling idea, he had the audacity of telling me right to my face. Of course, there was only one appropriate response.
"Of course… NOT!" I snapped back at him with a shout as he was caught off guard by my sudden yell. But he managed to stand his ground without dropping me onto the ground. It took him a few seconds to reply, but when he did, he looked rather… happy?
"I should have seen that coming. Well, we should be able to talk during lunch, right?" Midoriya asked with a… (pleasant?) smile that seemed rather strange considering I just yelled at him. If this were a scene out of a romantic comedy manga, the guy should have responded with a 'I… see.' Before walking away with a depressed look on his face. Not that I wanted that to happen to him, mind you nor was this some sort of confession at all to speak of, and, why in god's name am I still contemplating this?! Wait…
… Lunch?
"I-I mean I guess there's no harm in doing that." I replied while averting my eyes from him out of an unrecognizable emotion. That's right. There should be no trouble talking over lunch. I mean I requested him to accompany me to my classroom not so long ago to talk for a bit. So, him asking to do the same thing makes sense… I guess. But just what is it would he want to talk about with 'me' of all people? It didn't make any sense whatsoever. So, I was just about to ask him for additional details. But before that he beat me to the punch.
"Great! I'll swing by your classroom once the bell rings! Oh, don't worry! I'll take you over there right now so you're on time." Midoriya replied with that same weird looking smile on his face before dashing down the hallway faster than I could blink. But all I could do was-
"DON'T YOU DARE BRING ME INTO MY CLASSROOM WHEN YOU'RE CARRYING ME LIKE THIS!" I snapped back at the top of my lungs as I would never be able to get over the embarrassment of someone carrying me in front of my classmates, (Be it male or female) much less Izuku Midoriya of all people! Fortunately, he put me down. Unfortunately, since I didn't have access to my cane, he had to hold my hand and walk me over to my desk, all the while my classmates gawked at me, even Professor Mashima was staring. Never before have I ever felt so embarrassed in my entire life.
The homeroom lecture and proceeding lectures passed by as quickly as they usually do. I'm truly at peace and within my element when I'm in a classroom. Because in the classroom, no. In all classrooms I'm unquestionably, the eli-
"Oh, hey Sakayanagi!" Midoriya said out loud which surprised me to the point that I almost fell out of my chair. Though I regained my footing before I could hit the ground. But after what happened at the start of homeroom and just now, I couldn't be more livid regarding Izuku Midoriya!
"Don't 'oh hey Sakayanagi' me buster! Just what are you doing here?!" I snapped back with a bit of 'Grrr.' For good measure. I mean what other response is there?! After he literally held my hand while walking me to my seat in front of all of my classmates! Such an incident has the potential to snowball into a catastrophic rumor that would torment me for who knows how long! Thankfully, none have sparked up just yet and that 'guy' has kept his mouth shut-
"Well, look at what we have here. Your boyfriend is here to see you, Sakayanagi." The voice of that 'guy' made me want to hurl every time I heard it. That 'guy' being none other than Masayoshi Hashimoto. A self-serving albeit useful individual that has contributed to our class in plenty of meaningful ways. He also has a tendency to say whatever's on his mind. This causes havoc in the classroom from time to time. And it has done me no good. ESPECIALLY NOW. But maybe this is fine. I'll be able to utterly destroy any baseless rumors between me and Izuku Midoriya right here and now! Perfect! For once your big mouth has served its purpose Hashimoto! And now I will-
"Allow me to correct you where you're wrong. I'm not her boyfriend. In fact, I have a girlfriend. And it's not her." Midoriya replied with his usual weird smile. Unknowing to me he was thinking of a certain girl by the name of Hiyori Shiina, someone that I had maybe passed by in the hallway once or twice. After all, she is not someone that I would involve myself with as one of the classmates of that barbarian… wait a second! What the heck did he just say this time?!
"Haha, guess I was wrong. Thanks for letting me know… haha." Hashimoto replied while all I could see was his blonde ponytail as he was no doubt snickering at me. In fact, all of my classmates were. And it was because of the way Izuku Midoriya said those words. Normally he would be doing me a favor. But in this case, all he's been doing is being a-
"Why you little… knave, wretch, miscreant, coxcomb, dunderhead, lout, mumblecrust, churl!" I snapped back at him with what was undoubtably a ferocious look on my face. But after that I regained my calm and composed attitude as I sat back in my chair with a satisfied look on my face. All because I had so unquestionably barbequed Izuku Midoriya alive with my exquisite choice of words! And the look on his face proves it! He must be thinking he's such a foolish fool for ever deciding to say something so unapologetically foolish! Though what he was actually thinking was-
'I have never heard of any of those words in my entire life!' Midoriya thought internally as his jaw dropped to the ground. But it didn't take too long for him to regain his composure. He then focused his attention back onto me.
"Anyway, you promised we would eat lunch together. So, that's what we're going to do. I brought us a double serving of Kaiseki Ryori! You're welcome!" Midoriya replied while giving me a thumbs up. I immediately bit my lip.
'Damn it! He remembered that was my favorite meal!' I thought internally with an annoyed look on my face as my stomach began growling in anticipation, much to my embarrassment. It's been a while since their fateful meeting in the cafeteria, so Arisu was under the impression he forgot all about that. And she's right. He did and he got it for the both of them because he liked it.
"Fine. I… guess we can eat t-together in my classroom." I replied while sweating bullets. But to my sheer surprise, Izuku Midoriya was against the idea.
"No. That won't do. It has to be on the roof. Just the two of us." Midoriya replied with a serious look on his face while my eyes shot wide open out of utmost bewilderment. Just why would he suggest something like that?! Furthermore, why would he say that out loud for all my classmates to hear?! Does he have a death wish? And to no surprise at all, one of my classmates agreed with me.
"I don't know… that sounds kinda sus." A man with long dark black hair that reached well below his shoulders commented with a rather unamused look on his face. That was only natural because this person was Hayato Kito! He has an astute mind though he kind of fades into the background from time to time. His scraggy hair is also rath unbecoming of one of my classmates, but I digress. Thankfully he's useful when he needs to be. Now what will you say to that Izuku Midoriya?! Just what is it are you thinking right now?
'Says the most suspicious guy in the room.' Midoriya thought internally as the man named Kito (A word that literally means DEMON) kind of looked like a villain. But he chose to keep that opinion to himself because he knew saying that out loud wasn't exactly nice of him to do and would only hurt the guy's feelings.
"Don't worry! You can trust me! After all… I have a girlfriend!" Midoriya replied with his weird smile that was really rubbing me the wrong way now. Especially now that he was just rubbing it in my face that he's in a romantic relationship with someone. Great. GOOD FOR YOU!
"Yeah, we already know that bud. But just curious, did you um, haha, tell your girlfriend about it." Hashimoto asked as he wasn't looking at us but someone behind us. Strange. He was also laughing. Why is that? Surely, Izuku Midoriya must hold the same opinion as me, he might be a foolish fool but he's intelligent and-wait! Why does he look so nervous?!
"Oh, ummmm…. You s-see…" Midoriya spoke while sweating bullets and stuttering uncontrollably. No way! Did he actually not tell that girlfriend of his that he's going to do this?! And as for that 'girlfriend' she was right here in this very room!
"Yeah, Izuku. Just what is it were you not telling me?" The voice of none other than Hiyori Shiina was audible as I turned my attention to her to see that she had an angelic look on her face. At the same time, Izuku Midoriya's eyes shot wide open upon hearing her and realizing that his girlfriend was right behind him. I felt a bit bad for him. Thought there was one thing that I could do for him in his time of need.
'May you rest in peace.' I said with what was most definitely an angelic smile of my own while holding my hands together as I prayed to the gods above. That he would make it to heaven after being turned into mincemeat. But as for Izuku Midoriya he had no plans of dying any time soon!
"Allow me to explain. There's a lot I need to say to Sakayanagi. Most of which I'd rather not say in front of others. Not because I would be embarrassed. But she certainly would. That's why the only solution is for us to talk to each other alone on the roof together while everyone else is in the classrooms or cafeteria. That way we can make amends and fix our relationship!" Midoriya explained as he thought it was the perfect plan! For that reason, he had a confident look on his face. Though once again, he said some stuff that he shouldn't have said out loud! ESPECIALLY regarding that last part!
"Relationship? Just what kind of relationship do you and Sakayanagi have, I~zu~ku?" Shiina said while maintaining her angelic appearance all while closing her eyes. But to Midoriya, he knew he just dug his own grave to the point he almost jumped out of his skin.
"No! I promise you! It is NOT what you think Hi- Midoriya spoke but he was cut off by Shiina kissing him on the cheek. All of my classmates couldn't have been more surprised to this sudden outcome. This includes me of course. The same could be said of Izuku Midoriya. But to Shiina, it was as if this was only natural.
"I know. Just make sure you tell her everything you've been meaning to say to her. Have fun." Shiina said with a bright smile before briskly leaving the classroom. Though Midoriya just stood there in place as if he were a block of ice. Even I couldn't move as I might as well have been glued to my seat. Unfortunately (Or fortunately depending on how you look at it) I wasn't a mind reader, so I wasn't able to tell what was going on in Izuku Midoriya's mind. The truth of which was only known to him-
'I have such an understanding girlfriend! I love her! So very much!' Midoriya thought internally with a smug smile on his face. However, concerning his 'understanding girlfriend' she had ulterior motives. And the red headed man who happened to be right outside of Classroom 1-D, was the inspiration of said motives.
"Wow. It went just as you said it would Sudo-Kun. All I had to do was say all of that and…" Hiyori spoke but her voice trailed off as she reminisced on seeing her Izuku's face which to her was-
"Let me guess… it was priceless, wasn't it?" Sudo replied with a mischievous grin on his face as he had been laughing his ass off the moment Shiina entered the classroom. Before that, Midoriya had run out of their classroom the moment the bell rang without saying another word. Curious, Sudo and Shiina followed him. There they saw him enter Classroom 1-D, formerly Class 1-A, which piqued their curiosity. And it was then that they witnessed Midoriya asking Sakayanagi to accompany him for lunch. Sudo decided to take a page out of Yamauchi's book and came up with a plan to mess with his friend. And the rest was history. But for Shiina-
"Yes… but more accurately… it was… so… cute." Hiyori replied while her eyes had become the shape of hearts as she was internally squealing over her Izuku calling her his girlfriend! Wonderful! Amazing! Long live the Hidoriya supremacy! BANZAI!
"R-Right." Sudo replied. Though he couldn't think of any dude as 'cute' but he respected Shiina's opinion. And since they were both in such high spirits. There was only one thing left for them to do.
"Yay!" Both Sudo and Shiina said while high fiving each other. Thus ending this special edition of Hiyori and Sudo's pranking extravaganza! We'll be back to the main program shortly!
To Be Continued…
Next Chapter: Arisu Sakayanagi: Restart
Go Beyond!
Plus Ultra!