'Creak.' I opened the door and shut it with a creak. I found myself returning to that dimly lit room once again with one singular purpose. To see her again. The person who gave me the courage to make a change that very first time I awakened in this world. Not literally, per se. I didn't have my brightest moment when I came to a world, I had no knowledge of. But even still if it wasn't for her, if it wasn't for that small bit of kindness, she gave me then who knows what would have happened to me. That's why I can't just move forward. Not without her. My very first friend. Her name was…
… I found myself losing my train of thought the moment I saw her sleeping face. She's been just like this. Resting on this bed with that usual look on her face that gave very little away regarding what she was thinking. Was she happy? Sad? Angry? Confused? Or all of the above? I had no answers. All I could do was hope that she was having a pleasant dream. I might have been stronger than anyone on this planet in terms of raw power. But I couldn't do a single thing to wake up Hori- … That's right. How could I forget you, Suzune?
"Let me help you out with that." I whispered before sweeping the bangs covering her forehead away. Suzune was a normal teenage girl after all. So, her hair grew really fast. The medical personnel needed to cut her hair every so often so that it wouldn't get too long. So much time had already passed by in a flash. But even though it was hard to believe that two and a half months had already passed since I heard her voice…
'… Thanks for saving me. I appreciate it.' I still remember it so vividly. What she said all the way back then. Right after I had learned her name for the first time. Sometimes I wish that I could have saved her from all of this. That maybe if I was stronger, smarter, better, that none of this would have ever happened to her. But I can't think that way. Not anymore.
'… Evade your eyes for what comes next is not something I would ever want you to see.' I've lost…
'… You can do it, Deku.' … And lost…
'Izuku! Please get here as fast as you can!' … And lost again. I've lost so many times that it's becoming a bit hard to keep track of them. But even though I couldn't do a single thing in any of those situations to protect the ones I loved most, it's still not over yet. I still have so many people precious to me here, friends that continue to give me courage to move forward every single day. And a girlfriend who keeps me grounded, always reminding me of what I have while she's soaring in the sky. That's why I'm going to keep striving to be my best self. Even if I don't have any right to call myself a hero over how many times, I failed to protect them. Even still I…
"You believe in me… don't you Suzune? That I can keep going. That in the end… I'll be able to save them… and be their hero?" I asked, knowing full well that I wouldn't get an answer from her. For so long I rejected the notion of being able to be a hero again. I thought that my losses defined me. That no matter how much I atoned that it would never ever be enough. But that kind of thinking is wrong, isn't it? How many times did All Might fail to save someone he loved? He never told me the exact number. But I already know someone very well, someone that he loved more than anyone and yet he failed to save her. His Master Nana Shimura.
It's not just him though. Endeavor made his fair share of mistakes. And yet, he rose to the occasion and managed to become someone who burns brighter than the sun. I'm sure you can say the same thing about so many heroes that the number would be countless. There was no possible world where I would have been a hero who saves everyone. That's simply a fairy tale that I spun for myself ever since I saw All Might's debut video. But even if I can't save everyone, I can still strive to reach a number that is close to everyone. That's what I'm aiming for now. Not just to atone, though that's part of it. But more than that… much more than that…
"… I… want to be a hero again, Suzune." I admitted with a whisper coming straight from my heart while tears slid down my cheeks. It's that wish. A selfish wish that I've had for such a long time. One that I managed to accomplish with the help of my hero. A wish that I thought was lost when I failed to protect that same person. A wish that I want to achieve once more no matter what. And even if that wish is impossible, the futile dream of a kid who hasn't grown up since he was four years old, I'm going to do it. No matter what it takes. Because I want this world to be a much better place for everyone.
'You're still, crying. Take this.' My eyes went wide as I for a second, I thought I heard Suzune's voice. But that was just a delusion my mind conjured. She always used to give me handkerchiefs whenever I wasn't at my best, didn't she? But now she can't do that for me, not right now at least. It almost feels like tragedies have been happening one after another. Perhaps there have even been some of that I have no recollection of. Even still I don't want to think about the bad stuff that has happened. Of course, I can't just forget those things. They have shaped the person I am today. So, even if one day they become a distant dream that becomes hard for me to remember they will be imprinted on my very soul. Because no matter how much I lose…
… I'll always be Izuku Midoriya. That's something that no one will ever be able to take away from me, no matter how many trials and tribulations I may face in the future. I'll keep remembering all the good things that happened to me and share those with Suzune. So, that when the days comes that she wakes up and I'm sure that day will come she'll say-
'Thank you for letting me know all those wonderful things, Midoriya.' With her beautiful smile. I know I might be getting ahead of myself. She hasn't woken up just yet. And know there's a fifty-fifty chance that she will be able to speak again after her fight with Kiyotaka Ayanokoji. But even still, I have to hope. No. I must believe that day will come. Not because that's what a hero would do, thought that is true. But because I want that possibility to become reality. I'm so tired of being scared of the future and what horrible thing might happen next. That's why I'm done thinking of 'what ifs.' Because right is here is the present moment. And anything might happen next. That could include something good. So, that's just what I must believe in. After all-
"Plenty of things have happened. Want me to tell you about them, Suzune?" I asked with a smile because the moment she wakes up I'll be smiling for her. Even if the pain of losing so much time eats away at her, or worse that her vocal cords won't work ever again, I'll be there to smile for her when she can't. I might not have been able to save her in the past, but I can still save her in the future.
'Smile… a society without cheer and humor… will not have… a bright future…' The parting words that Sir Nighteye left before he died. I found myself remembering them in this moment. That memory has been one that I could never forget for better or for worse. But even though he's gone and can never come back, what he left behind is something worth remembering. Because he's right. If the heroes don't smile, truly smile, then who can smile? Who can smile for the people who have undergone such hardship? If that answer is no one then I'll be the one to do it. I'll smile in spite of everything. All so that she and everyone can get that bright future in the end.
I then found myself explaining what had happened while she was asleep. The good like Hirata being able to leave the hospital with all of his injuries being healed. But that also included the bad like Karuizawa being murdered. The details of which have been constructed in a way that made the leader of the group of girls who bullied her back on the cruise the prime suspect. That's not if I believe that she couldn't have done it. It's just that I feel like I'm missing the full picture. How could have Karuizawa died so fast? It all happened so quickly. But the same thing happened with All Might and Sakura. So, maybe it's exactly how it is.
However, I wasn't exactly satisfied with that. So, I tried confronting Chairman Ayanokoji about it. But he brushed things off saying that I was only wasting his time with such trivial matters. I shouldn't have expected anything less from a horrible person like him. But he hasn't made things worse either even though I haven't been able to find his son. It's as if he disappeared off the face of the earth. It seems that no matter how much I try to search for him, he's always one step ahead of me. But even if that's the case, sooner or later he'll have to show himself. And I have a feeling it will be sooner than later.
Today is December 31st. The last day until the new year begins. And with the arrival of the new year, I know things will soon reach their conclusion. But maybe this is all just conjecture on my part? I don't have actual proof to back up my beliefs. However, Tsukishiro has let me, and the rest of the class know that at the beginning of the next semester, the final one that will be the finale of my first years as a student of ANHS, that we will all be taking a field trip to the forest. The same forest on the outskirts of this place I call home. I haven't had much of a chance to search there for Ayanokoji. Not with the strict rule about not venturing into the forest.
Perhaps that's where he's been hiding all this time? It's only a week away. Am I ready to face him again? Am I ready for everything to end? No. I don't think I am. I don't know what will happen when we all go to the forest for our next exam. But I must face this all head on, without wavering even a bit. So, when everything really does come to an end, I'll be able to smile in spite of it all. So, as long as I keep on smiling, I'm sure everything will be alright. I have so many things to smile about after all. Oh, that reminds me!
"Ike got a girlfriend. And it's Matsushita if you can believe it. But that's not all. I told you this before. But me and Hiyori, we're dating now. I'm actually about to go on a date with her. I'm sure that's what you wanted. Who knows? Maybe if you and Sudo can get together then we can all go on a double date? That would be something, don't you agree?" I asked while closing my eyes with a smile. Once again, I knew I wouldn't get a response, much less hear her voice. But that's okay. Because I still have a bright future that I'm going to strive for. But even as I move forward, I'll keep coming back here. So, when she does wake up, I'll be right here to smile for her. I believe that. I really do. But-
"… Please… wake up soon, Suzune." I whispered once more before giving her a quick kiss on her forehead. I then turned around and left the room behind, not without looking back at her one more time before leaving. The door then shut with a 'creak.' And the person waiting for me right outside was the same person that has kept me sane in spite of everything that would have made me lose myself to insanity if I ended up alone. I'm sure she knew this. That's why she kept smiling at me even when I wasn't. Was I smiling right now? It was a bit hard to tell. But even if I wasn't she's smiling right now. So, I'm going to smile too.
"Ready to go?" Hiyori asked before I nodded in affirmation. We then took off from the hospital. Quite literally since she could fly. And even though I couldn't fly (At most I could fake it with Air Force) she helped me fly into the deep blue sky as if it was the easiest thing in the world for her. It didn't take long at all for us to land on a nearby rooftop that gave the both of us a good look at Tokyo. After all, the hospital that Suzune was in was located there since all there was back in ANHS was the nurse's office. Not to mention that today is still winter break. And we just so happen to have permission to stay here till dusk. The world might as well be our oyster right about now. So…
"Hey Hiyori. D-Do you want to go the amusement park, hold hands, and share a crepe? … Or is that no good?" I asked while staring at the city before taking a look at her to finish speaking. It was then that I saw her frozen in place if she was a block of ice in the arctic. Oh crap! Did I really say something that was a bit much?! I probably did since all our dates thus far have been to coffee shops and bookstores! A date like that might be a lot after such simple ones, right?! No! It definitely was! I have to fix this! And quick!
"W-We don't have to. I know you like quieter places. Not that I didn't like them! I really did, do I mean! I just… guess that's sort of my idea of a r-romantic date?" I replied while muttering a bit and scratching the back of my head to the point a bunch of dust was coming off my head. But after I was done explaining myself, I took a deep breath, figuring that she would understand. I mean, she always has. So, I'm sure the moment I look back at her she will-
'OH NO! SHE'S STILL FROZEN!' I screamed internally as my jaw dropped to the ground upon noticing that Hiyori might as well be still ice. Oh my god! W-What am I going to do- But my thought process was shattered into a million pieces the moment Shiina began twitching a bit. And then…
"I… I did not expect that. But, well, um, sure. If that's what you want, I'll gladly go there or anywhere with you, Izuku." Hiyori replied while averting her eyes from me with cheeks that were tinged pink.
"Oh wow. That's cute." I admitted bluntly as Hiyori's feathers sprouted from her back all at once. She then leaped into the air before landing back on her feet while clutching her chest and gasping for breath. I was about to ask if she was okay but before I could she snatched me by my cheeks.
"W-W-Why do you always have to say such embarrassing things, Deku!" Hiyori yelled out while pinching my cheeks and pulling at them. Not that it hurt by any stretch of the imagination. But that's something a grandma would do. Is… is she going to do that to our grandchildren? I-I mean if we do have grandchildren, I mean first we would have children-I'M SO GLAD I'M NOT SAYING THIS OUT LOUD!
"AH!" Hiyori let out a high pitch squeal before letting go of my cheeks and averting her face from me. She then mumbled something under her breath that I couldn't quite hear. This made me tilt my head out of confusion as I wondered what she could have said. But before I could ask her about it, she beat me to the punch.
"I'm sorry I called you Deku. It sort of just slipped out, you know?" Hiyori asked while looking at me in the eye with a saddened expression on her face. That look reminded me of how she looked back then and what I said to her about it-
'STOP CALLING ME THAT!' I said such an awful thing back then. Not to mention what I said right after that was even worse. I was so mean to her. I didn't deserve her kindness. But I'm going to make sure that I do deserve it. The first thing on the agenda will be to say what I should have said a long time ago. That being-
"Hiyori. Call me Deku as much as you want. I was wrong back then. I lashed out at you when I was trying to shoulder the burden all by myself. But you reminded me such a thing is never good. Thank you for that." I replied while patting her on the head. It was then that I realized how much shorter she was than me. She wasn't exactly as short as Sakayanagi. But she wasn't much taller either. I hope she doesn't think I'm treating her like a kid. I'm sure that Arisu would be saying something along those lines if I was doing the same thing to her right about now. Haha. I can't wait to see her and everyone else too.
Now that I think about it, Hiyori really has been calling me 'Izuku' up to this point. She didn't say Deku even once till now. Was she holding on to the idea that I would hate it if she were to say it? Yeah. That does sound like her. But I can't blame her after what I said. That being said I don't want to blame myself either. I just want to… move forward with her. And if she wants to call me Deku while we move forward then that's okay too. After all, that name is something that will be tied to me for as long as I live. It might as well be the ideal I'm striving for…
… To become Deku. The world's great-no. It's not as if I don't want to be that. But I don't want to get too ahead of myself, you know? Right now, I should strive to be just another hero. That's good enough for me. Or that should be but- Before I could finish that thought, my thought process was broken by the girl in front of me and what she said next.
"O-Okay. No problem… Deku." Hiyori replied while closing her eyes with the most angelic smile on her face. At the same time my heart skipped a beat. God. I'm in love with her. I want to spend the rest of my life with her, by her side, and all the way up to the end. I'm so glad I met her. I'm so glad that I've been given a chance to be in a relationship with her. My very first relationship with a girl that's more than just being friends. It's something special. Something that should be cherished even if things don't go as planned. But even still I think things will work out for both of us. I just have to believe they will. And I'm sure everything will be just alright.
"I-If you say such things you'll give me a heart attack. Haha." I replied while chuckling a bit as I closed my eyes. Which meant that I couldn't see her pouting at me. And before I knew it, she took my hand and leaped into the sky. My eyes snapped open as I noticed us rising high into the deep blue sky that stretched as far as I could see. Even though this would probably give anyone else a heart attack, I thought it was the most awesome thing in the world! And it's all thanks to having such an awesome girlfriend!
"Let's go." Hiyori said before winking and taking me with her. She flew with such speed though she wasn't nearly as fast as Hawks just yet. But even so it was quite impressive that she held me in the air with a single one of her feathers. At the same time, she used the rest of them to move forward as if she were a missile with the precise coordinates being the amusement park. I'm sure as we passed by buildings the people down below us gawked as if we were doing something truly extraordinary. Perhaps we were. But something like this would have been an everyday occurrence in my old world.
Even so, heroes exist in this world. Or at least people pretending to be heroes. I already met one of them. And I was inevitably going to come across more of them in due time. Along with some other people who may have their own agenda too. This world really was unlike my old one in so many ways. It wasn't all for the best. But even still I accept that this world has flaws just like the world I was born in had. But that doesn't mean I'm going to sit back and do nothing about them. One day, I'm going to change the whole wide world for the better!
'S-Somehow.' I thought internally with a smile as I had no idea how I was going to accomplish that. But that doesn't really matter all that much right now does it? Because what's happening is the present. Today is just going to be me! And my girlfriend! And we're going to have a blast at the amusement park! It's going to be the greatest most awesome date that a man and a woman will ever have!
'Actually, I really might be getting ahead of myself for thinking that. H-Haha…' I thought internally with a nervous grin on my face. Yeah. He was still a damn nerd. Though a hopeful one at the very least.
"Looks like we're here." Hiyori announced as my eyes shot wide open upon noticing the extravagant amusement park. Not only was it a sight for sore eyes. But I literally couldn't believe what I was seeing. That's because the amusement park that me and Shiina ended up at wasn't just one you could find anywhere. No! This was special! A grand amusement park that has only a single location in all of Japan! Back in my old world I thought that I would be going here. But I ended up somewhere that had the same acronym. That being-
"U-U-USJ?!" I shouted at the top of my lungs while almost collapsing like a house of cards. But hat was prevented due to the same feather that Hiyori used to help me get here. Even still I was completely floored. I knew of USJ (Or more commonly known as Universal Studios Japan) from my old world. But I had no idea that it also existed here! Like what are the odds of that?! They must have been astronomical, that's what! Except, here it was. Right in front of my eyes. Not the USJ that was attacked by the villains when I was but a fledging in my tenure as a student of UA…
… BUT THE LITERAL UNIVERSAL STUDIOS JAPAN!
"Don't worry. It might have been a bit far. But we should be able to make it back to ANHS by dusk." Hiyori replied while under the impression that I actually knew that USJ was located in Osaka which is quite far from Tokyo. (But due to using Fierce Wings she was able to make it here in a fraction of how long it would take if we were to use public transportation.) But I didn't really care about how far we were or how much time there was left to enjoy ourselves. And I was going to make that crystal clear to her. So, I swiftly closed the distance between us and firmly grasped her shoulders. And then…
"Thank you, Hiyori. I love you." I admitted with a serious look on my face as Hiyori audibly gasped as if she was shot right in the heart! A direct hit! It was super effective! She then looked down at her feet before turning her head upwards to look at me in my eyes. We then stayed like that just looking at each other for a few moments that might as well have lasted an eternity until she smiled.
"You're welcome. Let's go." Hiyori replied while closing her eyes with her usual angelic smile that made my cheeks burn crimson. But as she enveloped my hand with her own, she rested her head onto my shoulder and whispered something that almost made my heart explode.
"I love you too, my hero." Hiyori whispered before kissing me on the cheek that might as well have been on fire. I then immediately clammed up not having any idea what to say to that as I slowed my pace. This allowed her to take the lead as she looked back at me with a smile.
'Seriously? Is she trying to give me a heart attack or something?' I thought internally while smiling at my amazing girlfriend. There wasn't really any better word to describe her as. She was quite literally amazing in every sense of the word. It wasn't as if I hadn't met any other amazing people like her. I have. Tons of them. But Hiyori was a different kind of amazing. Her smile shined brighter than the sun along with every other part that made her Hiyori Shiina. There was only one single other person I knew who reached her level, being my hero, All Might. She was that amazing to me. But…
… Why do I feel like I'm forgetting someone? There's someone that I can barely make out within my mind as if static was covering her face. Her hair… I'm pretty sure it's brown. The tips of her fingers… had something on them. And her cheeks… were slightly… pink… weren't they? But even though this person's name is alluding me… she is someone who I'm sure is very precious to me. But if that's the case why… am I struggling to remember her name? If she really is precious to me then shouldn't I at the very least be able to remember her name? That's right. Then maybe…
… Maybe I should just forget about he-
'You know what, I like Deku! It could make for a great hero name! Plus, I think it sounds kinda cute.' My eyes went wide as I heard the voice of that person within my head as if I was listening to a recording of it. But isn't just a person! That's Uraraka! My very precious friend! The same person who made me proud to be called Deku time and time again! I could never forget her! That would be an insult to everything she has done for me! All the kindness she has given me! And yet…
… I really feel like I was super close to forgetting all about her. What the heck? What the hell is wrong with me?! How in the hell could I not remember the name of someone so important to me?!
"… Deku?" Hiyori spoke my name as I looked up at her to see a concerned look on her face. I was so deep in thought that I probably stopped walking. I might have gritted my teeth and looked like I was angry at her. First, I forgot Uraraka's name and now this?! How could I be so stupid?!
No… I shouldn't be criticizing myself right now. Not when I'm supposed to be having a fun time with Hiyori. I'm probably just… tired. Yeah… that's it. That has to be it. I'll never forget Uraraka. Not now or ever. Because if I do…
… Then I might as well not be Izuku Midoriya anymore but someone completely different.
"It's nothing. I just… forgot to grab some sunscreen. It's probably a bit expensive to buy it here, you know? But I won't let that get to me. This is a special day for us. So, let's make it as special as it can be." I replied before taking the lead. I made sure to smile at her and act as if everything was okay. Even though I was lying through my teeth. But I really want to make that lie become the truth. Hiyori's probably been worrying about me a lot ever since Karuizawa… But I'm better now. I have to be better. I don't want to upset her. Who knows how many times I made her cry when she was all alone? Maybe once or twice. Or maybe more? I have no idea.
But the number of times that it happened doesn't matter. What matters is that I don't ever let it happen again. Hiyori is someone who should always be smiling. Not crying. Her smile gives me courage. Courage to become someone like the person I once was, a hero. And that's just what I got to be. Not just for her but for myself too. I'm not going to crack under the weight of the world. Not anymore. So, I'm going to face everything head on! I'll beat Kiyotaka Ayanokoji and save the world! And then! Wait…
… What will happen after that? Of course, things won't end right after I defeat him. My life will continue. But even so… what will happen after that? I don't have any concrete answers because anything could happen. I'll be lucky to defeat Ayanokoji while saving as many people as I can. Considering he has the All For One Quirk that belonged to AFO along with who knows how many other Quirks, I'll really be lucky to make it out alive. But I just have to believe I will. Because if I don't… Hiyori will be…
'Deku.' Hiyori thought internally as she knew something was wrong. She knew me very well. We spent so much time together recently. Going to the bookstore, grabbing coffee together, and being by each other's side as boyfriend and girlfriend. That's why she knew that what I said to her was a lie. And that along with the way I was acting just before that, was making her suspect that something really was wrong. But she assumed that I must have still been hung up over Karuizawa. It was only an assumption because she didn't want to dwell on the possibility that it could have been worse. And just like that…
… We both acted as if everything was fine because we didn't want to admit that everything wasn't ok and end up hurting each other in the process. That's how much we cared and loved each other. But that wasn't the right way to go about this. If I knew back then what would have happened shortly afterwards, I wouldn't have lied to her. Or maybe I still would have to keep up the illusion that everything really was alright? I don't know. I had no idea what was going to unfold.
However, maybe that was a blessing in disguise. I was able to enjoy myself and have fun with her. We went on all sorts of rides. Most of which were rollercoasters. I learned that Hiyori gets scared of them really easily. It almost seemed like a contradiction given how she was able to be super calm when flying far higher into the air than any rollercoaster would reach. But perhaps that's because she was in control of her Quirk and not the actual ride. Though it felt pretty nice to have her cling to me for dear life. Did that make me a bad person? Perhaps. But I really liked seeing this new side to Hiyori even if she herself felt really embarrassed by the end of it.
And that's how things went. We really did have a lot of fun. I'm sure of that. Because even though I couldn't believe how I could ever forget about Uraraka, I pushed those thoughts aside to focus on Hiyori. For better or worse, Uraraka isn't here right now. I really don't know if I'll ever be able to see her again. The thought of a future where I won't be able to see her again… scares me. But even still, I want to be strong for Hiyori. Right here and right now, she is the most important person to me, and it might stay like this for a while longer. Even more than that for everything she's done for me, so much of which I'll never be able to repay her for, I have to be-
"Eat this." My eyes went wide as I remembered All Might saying those exact words to me just before I ate his hair and gained One For All in the process. I looked up half expecting to see him even though the voice was quite clearly feminine. I then saw the face of a familiar girl with an angelic smile on her face holding out a crepe. Her silver hair reached all the way down her back and was tied with black ribbons. Her light purplish eyes sent a shiver down my spine. She was astonishingly beautiful. Of course she was. She was…
"… Who… are you?" I said while wondering what her name was. Her eyes shot wide open as she dropped the crepe in her hands. At the same time as it hit the floor below us everything went pitch black. I then opened my eyes to see that the girl was no longer in my peripheral vision. The calm and soothing scenery of the theme park full of people enjoying each other's company was too replaced by a black abyss that was oddly familiar to me. No, wait! This place! The floating rocky surface I'm on! It exists within my mind! Along with that per-
"Well, well, well. It seems that you haven't forgotten about me just yet, young boy." The voice of Jokata went through my ears as I turned around to see him. I thought for a second, he was mocking me like he tended to do many times in the past. But instead, he was looking at me with a face that almost seemed melancholic. I… never seen him look like that before. And why did I just lose consciousness? Just what the hell is going on? But he looked at me as he knew all the answers. And then…
"Don't you remember? This is the 'curse' of my Quirk. I already explained what I'm about to tell you again to you once. But it seems like you've forgotten. But you still remember OFA, don't you? You do. Good. Then that makes things easier." Jokata spoke as he read my mind like he's always been able to do. That I remember. But what does he mean by… 'curse?' And of course, like back then he knew what I was thinking. I was half expecting an arrogant smile. But he didn't do that. That look on his face remained as melancholic as ever. But just then my body started tingling, the obvious sign that I was going to leave this place very soon. But before I could-
"It really won't be long till you wake up. So, I'm going to have to make this quick. This time I don't want you to forget, you hear me? Good. Now here goes. At the rate you're going, all of your memories will be gone. You used one hundred percent of my, our power quite a few times now. But like any power it doesn't come without a price. Repeated use destroys the brain much like how OFA breaks your bones every time you use its full power. But instead of your bones being turned to ash, it's your memories." Jokata explained as my body continued to shake. Not just because I was on the verge of waking up. But because I was scared. Scared to lose-
"… My memories?" I thought internally as I recalled not being able to remember Uraraka's name. No. Even before that I struggled to remember Suzune's name back at the hospital. It might have been for a brief moment. But this is all the result of the curse of Obliterator… isn't it?
"That's right. Using one hundred percent just once was enough to incur the effects of sleeping far longer than usual. And that's exactly what happened when you slept for an entire month after the fight with High End. The same thing happened after you rescued your girlfriend. This is the result of your brain being robbed of what makes it able to function. But if it was just taking a long nap then that wouldn't be so bad. Except, you sure as hell have used its full power more than once." Jokata continued as the black abyss projected my memories of using Obliterator at one hundred percent time and time again as if I was in a movie theater.
"And now you're receiving the payment in full for your constant use of our curse. But you're not gaining anything. You're losing it all. The memories of people that you once knew and even your shared experiences with the ones that are closest to you right now, are vanishing as if they never existed in the first place. Luckily for you, they haven't been entirely obliterated without a trace. Because the memories that have made you Izuku Midoriya are still there within your mind." Jokata continued while pointing at his mind. It didn't appear that there was anything wrong with it. But then again, this is simply the form his soul took after this death. He'd probably be looking way worse if his appearance was right after his 'death.' And he nodded in affirmation to this.
"But it's not going to stay that way if you use Obliterator's full power at one hundred percent again. Just one more time, and you might wake up not knowing a single person. Even the girl you have fallen in love with will be but a distant memory forever alluding you till the bitter end. I should have been more upfront with this from the beginning. But I just couldn't do it. It's for the same reason that I took over your body just before you truly 'awakened' in this world to kill the Nomu that murdered All Might." Jokata admitted as my eyes went wide upon remember what that madman said before-
'Hahaha… of course you didn't know. Because while you had been in my possession, you had killed said Nomu. I had just given you Obliterator. You had suddenly awakened and had attempted to kill me. And you would have succeeded, if not for my Nomu protecting me at the last possible second. Ironically your mind couldn't withstand the sudden use of your new power, and you fell back into a deep slumber the moment my Nomu was no more. The reason why you or I can never return to our world… is your FAULT, Izuku Midoriya!' The words that Garaki spoke back then played once more as if they were being shown to an audience in my mind that has become a movie theater for all to witness with their own eyes.
"You… you are the reason why I can no longer return…" I spoke as my voice trailed off as I stared at my hands while Jokata nodded in affirmation. I had no recollection of a memory of me trying to kill that monster who robbed my old world of the greatest hero it had ever known. Because that wasn't my memory, that was Jokata's memory. And since I couldn't read his mind like he did with mine, it was completely inaccessible to me. Just like the memories of how he finished off the High-End Nomu for me. I wasn't able to remember a single thing that happened after I let him take over. The very same thing happened back then, and I didn't even know it. How… How could he?!
"You know why. Even if your mind won't let you remember it, your 'memories' still exist. And so do mine. My memories of Garaki. I couldn't let him get away. Not after what he did to me. And especially Kudo and Bruce. He took so much away from me. I couldn't just… accept a future where he got off scot-free! Not after all the people he hurt!" Jokata admitted while tears went down his cheek. I immediately froze upon seeing them. He was crying. I think that's the first time I've ever seen him show so much… raw emotions. Knowing this, Jokata rubbed his tear-stained eyes until no more tears remained. And then…
"That's my confession, kid. I couldn't say shit earlier because I really was too ashamed of myself. I should have never let you use the curse to begin with. But I needed Garaki to die for what he did. I was ready to take matters into my own hands and kill him by using your body. Fortunately, karma gave him his just desserts. Unfortunately, this is your karma for using my curse so frequently. If I could, I'd take it all upon myself. But I can't do that. That's why it's yours and yours alone. The burden you're carrying all on your back will sooner than later become too much you can carry. And you will die just like I did." Jokata continued as if my back had the entire earth on it and now even more weight on it. The price of using Obliterator. But…
'And before I knew it, that guy killed me, not before taking my Quirk. After that he used my Quirk for several experiments where he gave it to several of his 'Nomu.' But the result was the same every single time because I never once cooperated with those foul abominations. But to my surprise, after I died, I discovered that a part of me was now alive again within Obliterator. But since there was no way that any of those monsters would betray their master, I lied dormant within the Quirk. That was until I met you, kid.' He said something like that, didn't he?
"Sorry, kid. But that was a lie. Specifically, the very first part. AFO didn't kill me. I killed myself. It's not that I wanted to commit suicide or anything. But just like you I used Obliterator so much that my mind had incurred a tumor. A real nasty one that destroyed the tissue of my brain and my memories along with it. I figured this out when I couldn't even remember my wife or my son anymore. But I was a stubborn sonovabitch. So, I kept using it to try and escape from Garaki's clutches. It was futile and I died. Not to him, but the tumor. Ironic, isn't it? I had so much power back then. And yet something so tiny and insignificant robbed me of life." Jokata continued as his melancholic look returned while reflecting on his past.
But at the same time my eyes went wide upon the startling realization that Jokata had a wife and a son. Did he tell me that before? If so, I have no recollection of it. Even still, I feel sorry for him.
"You know I said this plenty of times, but you really don't have to go out of your way to pity me. I'm an awful person. The worst of the worst. That's why there ain't a more fitting end for me than to lose everything I loved and held dear. That's all there is to it. But you aren't awful by any stretch of the imagination. You certainly have a hero complex, and I don't like that about you. Though you really are just a kid. Even now as I try to not give a shit about you, I find myself doing the exact opposite as much as I'd hate to admit it. You… really do look just like my boy." Jokata admitted as he pictured his son standing right beside me with a smile on his face. And just as I was about to leave and return to reality-
"… So… don't you dare ever use my Quirk EVER AGAIN." Jokata finished as he snapped his fingers. And with that my eyes opened back in the real world. It was then that I saw a familiar ceiling. The same one that belonged to the hospital. And judging from the uncomfortable bed I was on, that's exactly where I was, wasn't I? I titled my head slightly to confirm that was the case. The bedside window showcasing the night sky signaling I won't be able to return to ANHS any time soon. Along with the girl I had come to fall in love with sitting right beside the window with a book in her hands. Was she trying to keep herself awake so that she'd be here to greet me when I did. She's such a good person. I don't deserve her. But I really want to deserve her. So, I-
"… Hi… yori." I muttered her name as the moment she heard it, she closed the distance between us and wrapped her arms around my back. I was caught off guard by the sudden action, so I wasn't able to say her name in fell swoop as I usually do. But she didn't seem to mind that. What mattered to her was that I was awake. How long had I been asleep for? Who knows? I almost want to ask Hiyori. But that feels wrong. The way she's holding onto me as if she's desperately trying to hold me together to prevent me from shattering to pieces was made abundantly clear. And her tears only further proved it. But before I could say a word, she beat me to the punch.
"… Deku… the doctor… he told me… that you have… a-a-a…" Hiyori's voice spoke in intervals as she cried into my chest until it trailed off completely. It was as if she admitted what she knew then that would make it come true. But I already knew what she was going to say because of what Jokata told me. There's a tumor growing inside of my head and it would end up killing me if I used Obliterator even one more time. I already knew that unsettling truth. But I couldn't admit it. Not because it's something that I shouldn't know. But since I know that it will make Hiyori completely break down. I swore that I would prevent her from crying again. And yet, here she was doing it right in front of my eyes. Could there be something else I don't know-
"… Hiyori… please tell me what the doctor told you. Even if it's something bad… we'll get through it together. I'm sure of it." I replied knowing that the tumor hasn't destroyed my mind completely. That means it can still be removed. And then Hiyori and I-
"… Six months." Hiyori mumbled something with her face pressed against my chest. I couldn't hear her quite clearly because of it. But I thought I heard her say 'six months.' Six months to what exactly? And then…
"… That's all the time you've got left… Deku… just six months." Hiyori admitted as her voice cracked, while looking up at me with tears flooding down her cheeks. I had never seen her so heartbroken before. And that along with that shocking revelation sent shivers down my spine. Just… how could that… be? It was then that I realized that Jokata had been prone to lie before and withhold the truth from me. And that's exactly what he did again. He didn't want me to lose all hope. So, he kept that truth under lock and key. That was all but confirmed by his silence. And yet-
'Boom!' A slightly muffled noise was audible as I peeked at the window to see fireworks. That made it crystal clear that the new year had just begun. And with it, my final year being alive too. But even if that's the case, even if I'm really going to die, then-
"Deku." Hiyori muttered under her breath as I embraced her. I wasn't going to let her cry anymore. I've already let her do that so many times. It's not that I can't understand where she's coming from. If I was in her situation then I would be feeling the same way. So, there's nothing wrong with her crying. Not in the slightest. But…
'I didn't want to tell you. Sorry. Because… you're my fan.' The words that All Might said to me as he jogged away from me into the blinding light resonated with me all of a sudden. It shouldn't be a surprise. I already knew that everyone will eventually die someday. But for it to be thrust in front of me so clearly by the person I loved with all my heart… again. History has a funny way of repeating itself, doesn't it? But just like back then… I can't accept this. I can't accept a future where Hiyori is all alone! And everyone else I hold dear!
"… Hiyori… don't you remember the promise you made me?" I asked with a gentle smile as her eyes went wide upon remembering it as clear as day-
'I promise to stay by your side from this point on. Not just because I love you. But because I don't want to lose you just as much as you don't want to lose me. So, we'll stick by each other no matter what. Doesn't that sound nice, Izuku? You don't mind me using your first name, right?' After all those were her words. I could never forget them. Never ever. And even if I did, they might as well have been ingrained into my soul. Her words. Our promise. I will live up to all of it.
"…The days we spent together, affected me. Before I met you and got to know you, I was so sure that I would never ever be worthy of being a hero. Not ever again. But I fell in love with you. And now I want to be the person you think of me so badly that it hurts. But I don't mind that pain. You changed me. So, let this be my new year's resolution. I'm going to live. I'm going to spend every single day from now on by your side. You are and will always be incredibly precious to me. Nothing will ever change that. Not even fate itself." I declared while Hiyori buried her face back into my chest as she didn't want me to see her cry. But even still, I affectionately patted her on her head and gently rustled her hair as I accepted this. But there's just one thing I just can't accept. And that is-
"… I'm not going to die. I will twist fate and anything else into the shape I want with these arms. But even if I could do that alone… will you help me out Hiyori? Will you fight fate with me together?" I asked as I used the words All Might said to me that inspired me back then so that I could do the same to her. She paused for a brief moment before wordlessly nodding her head. In response I patted her on the head again. She really is an amazing person. I'm going to work hard. Super hard so that I can smash my death sentence to pieces. And even if it really is futile just as it was in the past when Nighteye predicted that All Might would meet an unspeakably gruesome death by a villain… even if it really will end the exact same way…
Chapter 62: Hiyori Date and the Final Act Begins Once More
… Then I will make sure that saving this world and all the wonderful people I've come to know will be a fitting final act as the hero Deku.
'Creak.' The door to the classroom swung open as the first day of class for the new year had begun. And with it the villain hiding in plain sight as the ordinary student Kanji Ike made his return with his hostage, Chikai Matsushita. He surveyed the classroom until he landed his eyes on the unsuspecting me. But he tilted his head ever so slightly upon noticing the smile on my face. He certainly did not see that coming. And that was because he knew of my fate as well. After all, Garaki also knew given that he is a doctor.
'How can he still look so happy? My connections with the doctors in the hospitals throughout Japan have notified me that he knows of his future demise. And yet… that damn smile persists. He really is just like All Might!' Garaki scoffed at the very sight of me within Kiyotaka Ayanokoji's body. But the latter of which didn't seem to mind all that much as he took his seat. Matsushita did as well. At the same time, Maya waved at her with a smile on her face. Matsushita struggled to respond. And Ayanokoji noticed as he stared at her from where he was sitting in the classroom. And then…
'Ding!' An audible ding that came from Matsushita's phone made her pull it out of her pocket as she noticed a text from 'Kanji Ike.' Which made her eyes go wide.
'This world is governed by universal laws. If anyone tries to pursue me, calamity rears its ugly head to harm them. If you'd hadn't tried to follow me, both you and Shinohara would be living a happy life. But at any time, I so desire I can eliminate Maya too. So, don't act out of character. Consider this your penance, Matsushita.' The text read as clear as day as Matsushita stared at it and gripped her phone almost as if she wanted to break it to pieces. But just as she noticed Maya out of the corner of her eye stand up and walk over to her, she turned off her phone and flashed her a smile.
Later that night...
'My penance huh?' Matsushita thought internally while leaning back in her chair with a bright computer screen in front of her filled to the brim with information. Specifically, several articles that listed missing people of which happened to be all students of ANHS. One of which just so happened to be Shinohara. But there were plenty more where that came from. There was a grand total of twenty. All of which just so happened to be labeled as 'former' students of ANHS. But that wasn't possible. Because she herself saw Shinohara die right in front of her eyes. She also saw Asahina get taken away who knows whereby none other than Yamauchi.
But here they were all listed as 'former' students as if they chose to leave the school under their own terms. However, these articles should have been inaccessible to Matsushita given the strict rule that insists upon no outside information being leaked to ANHS. This is part of the school's unique system designed to create an environment where students can focus entirely on their personal growth and education without external distractions. (It was for this reason that Midoriya had to use the library on the cruise ship to find out any information regarding Vought, it's so called 'heroes' and the demise of Solider Boy.) Not that Matsushita knew any of this.
However, Matsushita was far smarter than she let on and was able to hack the databases that prevented any access to the outside world. And with that she was able to access these news articles that were being published right under their nose. Matsushita also knew how bogus it was for them to claim that they were former ANHS students given the fact that Shinohara, Asahina and presumably the rest of them never left the school willingly. And if they were all the same as what happened to her friend then…
… They had all been murdered by the monster disguising himself as Kanji Ike. But there wasn't anything she could do to change things with her strength alone. After all, she wasn't like Midoriya, Sudo, or any of her classmates who had Quirks. But even still…
"Consider this your penance." Matsushita muttered under her breath the same words that Ayanokoji told her before organizing all the articles into a single email and sent it to the email address belonging to a certain ANHS student. But she knew none of her classmates would be able to keep a level-head after recognizing such a disturbing truth. So, she had to resort to sending all of this information to a person known for being able to keep her composure time and time again. She also happened to be a person that Matsushita respected from afar as someone as naturally gifted as her if not more so. That girl being-
'Ding!' The computer belonging to none other than Arisu Sakayanagi made a slight noise as she did her homework. She knew full well that it was an email notification. So, she checked it only to find something truly strange.
"… What the?" Sakayanagi muttered to herself as the moment she opened the folders contained within the email the articles that Chiaki Matsushita implanted within them opened. At first, she had no idea what to make of it. Not until she read the description within the email that read-
'To the one reading this, please uncover the truth. That is my only wish, M.' Those were the words that accompanied the email along with a fake email address that had the letter 'M' and an assortment of numbers. A part of Matsushita wanted to reveal everything she knew. But another part of her was afraid to in the event that the monster traces everything back to her. So, this right here is her gambit. A gambit that might cost her everything in the end. But even so, Sakayanagi sat at the computer with a blank stare. And then…
'Just who the heck is 'M?' Sakayanagi thought to herself, knowing full well that all of this information couldn't just be a prank. And that this was going to be a mystery she would need help cracking wide open.
To Be Continued…
Next Chapter: 'M'urder Speculation
Go Beyond!
Plus Ultra!