Hi, everyone! Welcome to Book II of the Mizuki series. I hope you all enjoy this story as much as I did while writing it. Please feel free to review, I would love to hear your thoughts.

Disclaimer: I don't own My Hero Academia or any of its characters. Mizuki, however, is my own creation.

Let's start with the story, shall we?*

Chapter 14

Mizuki failed.

Katsuki was trapped within his thoughts as he sat outside and far away from anyone and everyone. He didn't want anyone around him and he definitely was going to kill Shoto or Izuku is he saw them at that moment.

The only way Shoto knew about Mizuki was if Izuku told him. How dare he?! This had nothing to do with either of them! This was between him and his sister but now all those stupid extras of class 1-A knew.

"…It's unfair that I kept working myself to breaking point and back but everything was always handed to you on a silver platter…"

Katsuki frowned as he recalled his words towards his sister. It wasn't true. The reason why Mizuki achieved her goals was because of who she was. She attracted people and was compassionate. She cared and she listened when no one expected her to.

"…Ever since we came to U.A. you've been messing around. You don't care about being a hero. You never have been…"

She did care about being a hero…once upon a time. She wanted to be a team, she wanted to be by his side. However, as they grew older, she found another passion, another love. He was the one who pressured her to let it go. He was the one who tore her away of an easier life.

A hand clutched his chest as he felt a painful squeeze through the void from inside of him. He couldn't feel her emotions or hear any of her thoughts. He just felt…empty. It was excruciating and suffocating.

"…Who the hell do you think you are to want to scold me about me throwing my future away? It has nothing to do with you! It's my choice…"

No. She was a part of his future. She was his sister, his best friend. He wanted to share everything with her even without sharing anything. He wanted her to know that she was important to him and that her opinion mattered.

"…I don't want anything from you! You're so irritating and insufferable, always sticking against me. It's so frustrating that you're always in the damn way…"

"I wish you would disappear already!"

"Hey, I finally found you," Eijiro's voice snapped Katsuki out of his haze and coldness of the memories. The ash blonde briefly glared at the redhead that approached and then averted his eyes away again.

"What are you doing here, Shitty Hair? Leave me alone," Katsuki snapped angrily at the male, Eijiro blinking and then giving the male a small smile. Katsuki didn't dare to look at the redhead as he hid his eyes underneath his intertwined hands.

"I thought you needed a friend."

"Like hell I do! Go away before I murder you! Stop looking down on me! I don't need your pity!" Katsuki snarled at the redhead. Eijiro took the shots, everything blowing passed him as he went to sit a few feet away from Katsuki.

"You're right, you don't. I guess I'll just be sitting here and enjoying the fresh air," Eijiro said, Katsuki's eye twitching in agitation. Why could no one leave him alone? Why did everyone always have to stick their noses in everything?!

Eijiro sat in silence as he stared at the sky. He didn't dare to say anything and merely took in the few puffy clouds in the sky. He searched all over for Katsuki and was lucky to find him a while before lunch was over.

He was relieved to find that he didn't get in any fights with anyone. Shoto avoided him as far possible and he too decided it was for the best. He didn't want the recommended student mad at him but it couldn't be helped. The misunderstandings can't be cleared up until Mizuki decided to confess.

Speaking of which… Eijiro let out a quiet sigh.

His plans to ask Mizuki out turned completely upside down. The failed practical exam, the new Quirk and the fight with her brother. Those were all factors that stopped him from asking her. How could he? She was going through a tough time and all he could do was be there for her.

"I messed up." Eijiro blinked a few times at the gruff voice and glanced at Katsuki. He had his head rested on his crossed arms that rested on his knees. "I screwed everything up, Kirishima," he said and Eijiro's smiled saddened.

"Yeah, I know."

"Then why are you still sitting here? Shouldn't you be angry at me? What the hell is wrong with you?" Katsuki asked the male, not looking at the redhead. Eijiro briefly closed his eyes and let out a breath.

"I am." Katsuki gritted his teeth. "I might not know what exactly happened but I know enough that you were an idiot. I also know that you're regretting what happened and you didn't mean to hurt her. It was a mistake and we all make mistakes," Eijiro said and Katsuki's nails dug in his hand palms.

"That's where you're wrong. I did mean to hurt." Eijiro saw the male's trembling hands. "It was more than just a stupid mistake. I completely destroyed everything. I made her cry. I'm the reason why she's not here. I'm the one who tore it," Katsuki said through gritted teeth.

"You also didn't watch the match, didn't ask out about how it went and probably missed a few other details," Eijiro added and received a dark glare from the male. Eijiro shrugged off the look and looked back at the sky again.

"I'm guessing you said a lot of stuff you didn't mean either but what's done is done. What matters is what you're going to do now," Eijiro said and Katsuki flinched. He looked at the ground again and frowned deeply.

"I…don't know. What can I do? She's avoiding me and hasn't come out of her room. I doubt that it's going to change. How do I apologize? Can I apologize? There's no way I would ever forgive what was said," Katsuki stated and Eijiro's brows furrowed together.

"…I can understand that he comes forth as an asshole, and he is… But, there's nothing more reassuring than him having your back…"

"Bakugou, you're a real airhead, aren't you?" Katsuki growled at the male, a vein palpitating out of his forehead. He was going to kill this male right here, right now. He was talking aloud about his emotions and trying his best and this bastard was trampling on all of that.

"There's no one in the entire world that Mizuki admired more than you." Katsuki's eyes widened. "I might be overstepping here, but do you really think that she would hate you? You're her twin brother, her best friend. I doubt that her love for you would be broken that easily," Eijiro grinned.

"That's what makes her so amazing, doesn't it?" Eijiro stated and Katsuki stared at the male with wide eyes. The words sunk deep into him, his emotions bubbling up inside him and his sister's smiling face flashing in his thoughts.

He took in the happiness and love in Eijiro's eyes as he talked about his sister. In that moment, there were many thoughts that flashed through his mind but one stuck close to him. It was one thing he realized and that he was never going to forget.

"Hey…" Eijiro watched as Katsuki stared at the ground. "Thanks, Kirishima," Katsuki murmured softly, his gratitude much greater than he was showing. Eijiro grinned from ear to ear and nodded with a light laugh.

"That's what friends are for!"

Katsuki scoffed at the statement, not agreeing with what the male blurted out but also not disagreeing with him. A part of him. A very, very, very small part of him was glad that he had this idiot by his side.

Later on…

Mizuki sat by her desk, glasses on and eyes lazily travelling over the pages she read. Her designing pen was in hand, the silver colour nostalgic. The light on her desk was switched on as the sunset slowly started to fade off, taking the last of the day's light along with it.

After her talk with her parents, she felt more refreshed. She could feel the heavy weight lighten on her shoulders, the burden better. It wasn't completely gone. How could it be? She was still far from accomplishing what she needed.

The training camp was around the corner and she needed to prepare herself for the what Aizawa had planned. She feared what he might do and simultaneously, a part of her was thrilled at the thought.

She felt restless at the thought that she missed school. Today was the exit ceremony and she missed it. Not only that, but her class representative duties needed to be taken over by her two deputies. She knew that it wouldn't be a problem, yet she disliked the thought of someone picking up after her.

Mizuki let out a breath. She took off her glasses and rubbed her temples. Her mother told her to give herself time and not take what Katsuki said to heart. She knew that. Her father advised her to focus on what lay ahead with her Quirk and the training camp. She knew that too.

However, Katsuki was her twin for goodness sake! The thought of going to talk to her brother made her chest ache, the emptiness making her frown. This time, she couldn't get herself to take that step.

Ugh, this is hopeless. I can't design. My academics are up to date. There's absolutely nothing I can do and I don't want to lay on my bed the entire time. Mizuki thought in irritancy. She also didn't want to go out and have a jog again, knowing how terrible it ended up the first time.

Her phone buzzed next to her, the device slipped on its screen. She hadn't answered any messages, calls or even emails. She wanted to stay away from any possible contact and wanted to give herself some space.

She knew of Eijiro's sweet messages he left in the morning but never opened them. She appreciated that he was there for her. She missed his grin and her heart yearned to see it. After all, it always brightened up her day.

The phone kept buzzing, a vein palpitating out of her temple. She was sure that everyone was aware of her absence in the class but the reason behind it was unknown. The reason behind the upside-down phone was because of the texts she received from everyone asking questions that she didn't want to answer.

Just when the phone stopped buzzing, it started again and she cursed at herself for not putting it on silent. She wasn't answering it for a reason. Why couldn't the other person get the message? When the phone started to buzz for the third time, her tamper flared.

"What?!"

"You finally picked up. I was worried and almost called your house instead," Shoto's voice came over the phone, Mizuki's heavy breathing of her angry outburst ceasing immediately. She frowned, brows furrowing and a breath escaped her lips.

"What do you want, Shoto?" She asked, rubbing her temples as she felt the headache start to intensify. It didn't matter who it was, she didn't want to talk to anyone right now. Moreover, of everyone who was calling, why did it have to be him?

"How are you?"

"I'm fine. Listen, I don't have time to chat. I'm really busy right now. If you're wondering why I wasn't at school, then ask me at a better time," Mizuki told the male. She was irritated and couldn't be nice by the way she felt.

"You don't sound fine."

Mizuki clicked her tongue and was about to put down the phone. She stopped her thumb from pressing the red button, her eyes staring at the caller ID. That can't be right. She was sure that it was Shoto that was calling.

"Hey, care to explain why you're calling on Izu-kun's phone? Did you lose your phone or something? Where's Izu-kun?" Mizuki asked, her tone strained. She wanted a quick a short explanation and she wanted it now.

"A-Actually, Mi-chan. Todoroki-kun and I wanted to know how you were doing but you weren't answering your phone when he called…" Izuku's voice joined in and Mizuki's eye twitched. She picked up when they called from the green haired male's phone.

"I see. Well, like I said, I'm really busy now." Mizuki recalled Izuku during their argue and swallowed thickly. She bumped into Shoto not long afterwards, the image of her crying on him making her frown deepen.

"I'm alright. I really am. You don't have to worry about me. I'll see you at the training camp, okay?" Mizuki told the duo, her face saddening. By then she would be able to face everyone again…probably…

"I'm going in."
"N-No wait! Todoroki-kun!"

Mizuki frowned. "Going in where? What are you two idiots doing?" Mizuki heard a peculiar sound outside of her balcony, crimson eyes widening. "Hey, where the hell are you two?" There was an awkward silence and then it was followed by a very small voice.

"Um, outside?"

"Thank you for the vaguest answer of a lifetime," Mizuki replied in a forced and kind tone before a vein palpitated out of her head. "If you don't tell me exactly where this 'outside' is, I will murder you through this phone right now."

"We're outside your house."

"You're shitting me…" Mizuki rasped out and nearly fell off her chair as she quickly moved towards her balcony. She swiftly opened curtains, crimson eyes searching the outside of her house until she caught sight of two figures standing in the sidewalk. Izuku gave her a wave with a nervous smile, Shoto staring impassively at the room.

"What are you doing here?! Aren't you supposed to be at home or something?" Mizuki asked as she looked at the duo. Izuku was probably the one who showed Shoto where she stayed and for some reason was both waiting outside for her.

"Can we come in?"

"That's- Of course not, idiot. I'm not alone at home." Mizuki didn't mention her brother's name aloud but the thought had her frown. "I'll be down in a few. Just don't do anything stupid, please," Mizuki said and Shoto nodded.

"Understood."

Mizuki closed her curtains once again and rang off the phone. Why did they have to come here? She stopped from pulling out her jacket and unwanted emotions bubbled up from within her. Why did it have to be now?

"Todoroki-kun, you're brave to be doing this," Izuku said with a sigh knowing that if Katsuki saw them, they were doomed. They would definitely fight then since no one was going to hold them back.

"Mizuki… She was there for me even when I didn't need it. I want to make sure that I'm there when she doesn't and does need it," Shoto said and Izuku blinked in surprise. He gave the male a warm smile and nodded. He felt exactly the same.

"I'll be back in a bit! Love you!" Mizuki called as she came out the front door and closed it behind her. She set her eyes on the two males and frowned deeply. What was she going to do with these two idiots?

"You have exactly five minutes to explain why you're standing in front of my house," Mizuki told the two, crossing her arms over her chest as she stopped in front of them. Her eyes were pink from crying, face paler than usual and light bags beneath her eyes.

Shoto turned towards her, his expression serious. "You weren't answering anyone's messages or calls. Midoriya and I were worried and wanted to make sure you were alright. You're our friend, Mizuki, we care about you," his tone softened at the end and Mizuki briefly closed her eyes.

"Listen, I-I… I really appreciate that you came and everything. I really do. It's just…a really bad time right now. I'm working through everything and I don't want to involve you unnecessarily," she answered.

"I'm not going anywhere." Shoto insisted, his brows knitting together. "You're not okay. You weren't at school today and you've obviously been crying. Why won't you let us be there for you?" He asked and Mizuki bit her bottom lip.

"Mi-chan." She glanced at the green haired boy who gave her a kind smile. "I'm with Todoroki-kun. Everyone was really worried about you. You always care and involve yourself with our quarrels, so can we do it with you this time too?" Izuku asked, eyes searching for a hidden pair of crimson orbs.

Mizuki's lips trembled and she let out a shaky breath as she turned her back towards them. "Let's go to a private location. I don't want to do this here," Mizuki told them. She pocketed her hands in her leather jacket and walked off with hidden eyes.

The duo glanced at each other and was quick to follow the ash blonde girl. It broke them to see her this uncertain and quiet. There was a tinge of fear in her eyes as she kept her distance from them, almost as if she was scared something would happen.

"How was school today? Did the exit ceremony at least have a few interesting things?" Mizuki asked them and Izuku tapped his chin. Shoto frowned, recalling the quarrel that he was involved in with her brother and Eijiro.

"I-It was okay, nothing new. Principal Nezu talked about all the events that happened so far and that they're hoping to make the rest of the experience as good as possible for all the students," Izuku said and Mizuki scoffed.

"Boring. Only a nerd like you can remember all that." Izuku rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. "What about the rest? Could Four-Eyes and Momo fill in for me at least?" She engaged in small talk and Shoto grunted in reply.

"Kaminari-kun, Sero-kun and Sato-kun were very worried about not being able to go to the training camp but Aizawa Sensei had a last-minute twist for the students who didn't make it. Everyone's excited to go together and we're all going to the mall together tomorrow to buy things for the camp," Izuku replied happily.

"I'm not going. I visit my mother on my off days," Shoto added and Izuku sweat dropped at the male's stoic reply. Mizuki smiled for multiple reasons. It would seem that she missed quite the events for the day.

"I take it you know then." Mizuki stopped in her tracs as a park bench stood not too far away from her. The duo stopped and stared at Mizuki as the wind brushed passed her. "Red and I failed the practical exam too," she stated and their faces fell.

"Yeah… You still get to go to the training camp though! Aizawa Sensei did mention something about supplementary classes that you have to attend afterwards, but I'm sure that it won't be that bad!" Izuku optimistically said and Mizuki let out a dry chuckle.

"I want you know why you failed." Shoto took a step forward, Izuku's eyes briefly widening. "There's something that you're keeping from us and Kirishima also didn't want to say anything. What is really going on? Why did Aizawa Sensei really tell you to stay at home?" Shoto asked.

He wanted answers. He wasn't going to leave until he got them and it was the type of confrontation that Mizuki dreaded. She knew him well enough to be aware that he was going to push and push and push until he received what he wanted.

"You really don't give a girl a chance to get her thoughts in order, do you?" She softly stated and took a step, turning her body halfway towards them. They felt a painful squeeze in their chest at her expression, Shoto's frown intensifying.

"I have another Quirk." Huh?

Izuku's eyes widened at her words as all his assumptions were proven to be right. Shoto was baffled at her words and couldn't understand what she was talking about. That wasn't possible.

"What do you mean by that?"

"Exactly what I mean. Aizawa Sensei informed me of my Quirk after the practical exam. It turns out I've had this Quirk since the USJ incident and have been unconsciously using it on people," she answered him.

"You watched the match, didn't you?" Shoto's eyes widened when he recalled the peculiar events that involved Eijiro's Quirk and realization dawned upon him. Mizuki watched as it sank in and her grip inside her jacket's pocket tightened.

"I don't have any control over it and they had to stop the exam before we could receive our marks. Moreover, since it completely activated, I was told to stay home. I didn't want to tell anyone until I was able to say it with confidence and stop hurting everyone." Crimson eyes travelled towards Izuku.

Izuku felt the intense gaze upon him, her expression swallowing him whole. "By the way you're reacting means that you already knew about this, didn't you, Izu-kun?" His eyes widened briefly and then he looked down and gritted his teeth.

"You knew?" Shoto asked in shock as he stood next to the male.

Mizuki let out a laugh, the sound empty as she put a hand over her eyes. "I was the only idiot who didn't know about this. Everyone knew except me. How nice," she stated in a bitter tone and Izuku felt guilt clutch his chest.

"It's not like that, Mi-chan. I wanted you to know what was going on but it wasn't my place to tell you. Aizawa Sensei wanted to tell you personally," Izuku replied and Mizuki glanced at him through an opening between her fingers.

"The training session before the exam was to keep an eye on me, wasn't it? It wasn't about you needing my help to get stronger, was it?" Mizuki's tone of voice had Izuku briefly feel panic. She sounded so betrayed.

"It was both. I was worried about you, Mi-chan, the teachers too-""Worried? You were worried? You knew and didn't tell me? My best friend knew and didn't tell me? What is wrong with you?! W-What if I hurt you too?!" Mizuki cut him off and their eyes widened.

She was scared.

She looked down at her hands. "I hurt Red with only one touch. What if I hurt you? What if I hurt anyone else?" Mizuki didn't want this. She clenched her fists and gave Izuku the most heart wrecking expression.

"I hurt my brother with having my explosion Quirk all my life without even realizing it. Now I'm hurting people with my other Quirk too? Weren't Quirks supposed to not hurt others? I'd rather be Quirkless than hurt anyone!" Mizuki said and Izuku's eyes flashed in pain.

"Mizuki-!"

Shoto's eyes widened when Izuku grabbed Mizuki's shoulders roughly, shaking her and the girl's eyes widening. "Don't you dare say that! You're such an amazing person! You've been helping others with your Quirk! You've been a pillar to a lot of people and now you want to throw that away?" He asked.

Izuku's arms were shaking, tears brimming in the corner of his eyes. "You… You always kept me motivated. You always believed in me even when no one else did and I believe in you! I know that you can do this! We all do! Just-Don't say you'd rather be Quirkless…" Izuku trailed off.

The pain of being without a Quirk most of his life was evident. Mizuki knew a lot of how much he was bullied and how much he yearned for a dream that felt so far away. A sad smile came onto her lips.

"You heard what Katsuki said, didn't you?" Mizuki averted her eyes away from them. "It wasn't my dream to become a hero like it was yours. I wanted to become a designer. I don't need this power for that."

"You say that, but your actions say different." Their eyes landed on Shoto. "You're always pushing yourself past the end and trying your best to become the best. You get frustrated when you lose. You get angry when someone's messing around. You're always acting on everyone's behalf," he continued.

"If you didn't want to become one, then you won't be working this hard. You wouldn't be this worried about needing to get your power under control. I don't understand the reasoning behind your decisions but I do know one thing. You're trying your best to be limitless, a hero that can be there no matter what," Shoto said.

Mizuki felt tears sting her eyes at his words. "I agree with Todoroki-kun and I know that what Kacchan said wasn't true. You're not only an amazing person, but you're very important to me and I wouldn't want to have any moment without you," Izuku said, the first teardrop falling.

"Same here."

"You guys…" The words that her brother shouted at her lightened, the hollowing ache in her chest becoming bearable. The tears fell down her cheeks as she looked at them. She recalled Eijiro's words and felt herself smile softly.

"You're such idiots." She wiped away the tears and inhaled deeply. "You know that you got yourself in a terrible predicament, right? You won't be able to get rid of me now," she said and they smiled at her, Izuku letting go of her shoulders.

"That's fine by me!"
"Yeah."

It was so stupid and so simple. She was grateful for them and their support. It was a bit unfair to have everyone support her this way but a part of her decided to let it go. There were all accepting her no matter what.

"I feel bad now." The two of them gave Shoto blank looks. "I was rude and disrespectful against Kirishima when he was only acting in everyone's best interest," he said and their eyes softened.

Mizuki huffed and a smirk came onto her face. "You don't have to be too worried about it. Red isn't the kind of person who'll hold a grudge or anything. As long as you apologize for being an ass," Mizuki pointed out and Shoto nodded.

"I will."

"Great." Mizuki went to sit down on the park bench with a sigh. She stared out to the horizon where the sin was nearly completely under. There were a lot going on through her thoughts, her eyes showing the contrasting calmness.

"Mi-chan, what are you going to do now?"

Mizuki glanced at the green haired boy and then looked away. "Who knows? I'm going to train with Aizawa Sensei at the camp and try to continue as normal as possible. I'll try my best to work through everything that's happened but right now I don't want to think too much about it," she said.

"And we'll be there for you." She looked at Shoto in surprise as he took a step forward, Izuku grinning next to him. "You can count on us if you ever need anything," he said and Mizuki felt her heart warm up. She was lucky to have people like them.

"You better be prepared then!"

Shoto gave her a small smile and a nod. He was prepared for anything. He would support her no matter what. He wanted to be there for her as much as it was possible for him even if it meant he had to shove down what ached inside his heart.

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