Golden Days Arc 2 - Chapter 7: Bonfire
Reviews!
tomthehero3: It was her own arrogance
Harleking31: I found your review really funny because it reminded me of an actual Berserk Meme! Good job!
Now! let's get right into the chapter!
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Currently, Izuku sat on the edge of his cot as he prepared to leave the hospital, after spending a night there after the events of yesterday. When he woke up and told about the situation, he quickly asked about his friends and thankfully, they were all alright, even Monoma who was just a few rooms down was going to be ok, which Izuku was thankful for, however, he felt terrible.
If that Villain hadn't stopped, Monoma would've been dead and he couldn't do anything, and then he would have died as well.
Izuku felt angry at how useless he was, how terrible it made him feel that his best friend almost died, He balled his fist and looked at it, 'No matter what I'm still Deku!' he thought
But then his brain reminded him that Monoma didn't die. The villain didn't kill him. Because of his Necklace and he remembered what the Villain said to him before escaping
"HAHAHAHA! So that's their ploy huh!?" he cried with glee, he then turned around and looked at Izuku, "I'll give you a warning kid, If you believe this guy to be a true friend, and if you come to regard him as a brother, then know this! When his ambition crumbles, is when you will face your death! A DEATH YOU CAN NEVER ESCAPE!"
Those words rang through Izuku's mind, and he-
"Izuku!"
Izuku looked up from his cot and at the door only to see Monoma and the other friends, who were also with his mom.
"Ah! Monoma! Guys!" Izuku said with a smile as he saw his friend safe.
Izuku got up and walked over to his friends and out of the blue Mei, Kanao, and Kimihito went up and hugged him. While Josuke smiled at his friends as did Monoma, and Toru... she didn't even look at him.
"We were worried about ya!" Mei said as she broke the hug
"Don't worry us like that you freaking idiot!" Kimihito said
Izuku felt embarrassed and scratched the back of his head, "I'm sorry guys," Izuku said "But hey, I'm a lot happier to hear that all of you were ok," Izuku said
"Same here, Izuku," Monoma said with a smile, "Anyway, let's get you out of hear, I'm sure you don't wanna keep eating the food here, ah?" Monoma asked
Izuku rolled his eyes, "It's not that bad, Monoma" Izuku said with a smile
Monoma nodded, "I know, I know," He replied "Anyway, I was wondering if you'd wanna go camping with us all?" Monoma asked him
As they were leaving the Hospital and Monoma was inviting him and their camping trip, Toru glared at Izuku and how friendly everyone was treating him. They should be angry, they should be furious! Izuku nearly got Monoma killed! He should have been strong enough to protect Monoma! but instead, Monoma had to be the big freaking idiot hero and fight the villain!
And here he was, being all buddy-buddy with the idiot that almost got him killed! So why!? Why did Monoma like him!? Why did he focus on Izuku!? Why... didn't he treat her like he did Izuku...?
She would admit, she was jealous of Izuku, jealous of how Monoma favored him the moment they had met. And she hated that, why on earth did he like Izuku? She had known Monoma the longest, she had been there since the beginning, believing and wanting to help him with his dream... so why...?
Why was she left behind?
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A Week Later:
The group had taken their camping trip into the country. They were going to camp in a forest only a mile or two away from Toru's aunt's farm, which was really nice of Toru's Aunt. If they needed more supplies, then they would walk to Toru's Aunts and ask for help. However, it took Izuku quite a bit of convincing on his end as his mother was worried about him due to what happened, which he understood, but still... he wished she didn't worry about him so much, he wasn't the same person he was anymore, he could defend himself and he was beginning to get over his stutter and he wasn't acting like he was stepping on glass anymore.
There were two reasons for this camping trip, which was planned to be another month.
One, enjoy the time they had before the summer ended and they would be returning for their 3rd year. Two, train as hard as they could as they had more time to do so, explore what they could do together as a team, and what some of them could do with their quirks in a more open space.
Izuku thought this was a great plan on Monoma's part but there was one problem that he's been having recently. Toru had been avoiding him a lot, not even wanting to engage in conversation with him on the ride there. He had no idea why she was angry at him, but it did frustrate him a little that she wouldn't tell him why she was angry at him.
'This is all my fault' Izuku thought
"You should talk to her,"
Izuku jumped a little as he turned around only to see Josuke behind him. Seeing that it was him Izuku let out a sigh of relief. "Don't sneak up on me like that, Josuke!" Izuku said
Josuke chuckled, "Sorry," he said, "Anyway, you should talk to her,"
"Who?"
"You know who,"
Izuku shook his head, "I would but I can't, and besides, it's my fault anyway," He said "She's been ignoring me ever since I got out of the hospital, and it's not like one conversation with her is going to make her be less angry with me," Izuku said
Josuke shrugged, "Who knows, but you could try," Josuke said
"Maybe..." Izuku replied
Josuke looked at his friend with a smile, while he knew that Izuku must have been through a rough patch before meeting them, he wished that he expressed his feelings a little more. "Just talk to her when you're ready, but I also say do it soon, after all, all those emotions built up by the both of you will come out and it will end in a fight, trust me," Josuke said
Izuku looked a little confused by Josuke's advice, it was almost as if something similar had happened to him.
"Josuke... did something like that happen to you?" Izuku asked
Josuke nodded, "Yep," he replied "I wasn't much of a good guy before meeting the others, I was a bit of a trouble maker, which caused me and a long-time friend to have an argument that lasted for a while, and eventually, all my anger came out, I said some things that I regret... I wanted to apologize but they transferred to another school and I haven't seen or spoken to them since," Josuke finished
"I'm... I'm sorry," Izuku told Josuke
Josuke just shook his head and smiled, "Don't worry about it," He said "I've accepted that it's one of those regrets that I won't be able to make up for," He said
"But-"
"I won't know unless I try, right?" Josuke told him with a sly grin,
Izuku realized where he was going with this and would admit that his friend made a very good point. "Right..." Izuku replied, "I'll try, Josuke," Izuku told him
Josuke gave him a wide smile, "Good," He said "Now go get your tent set up before you get a bad spot,"
"Ah! Right!" Izuku said as he grabbed his stuff and looked for a spot to set up. Josuke smiled before turning back to the direction of the city, even if he couldn't see it due to the mountains, he still knew where it was.
"I hope you're doing ok... Ibara," Josuke said with a smile
With that, he turned away from the direction of the city and joined the others in setting up his stuff after he found a decent spot to put his tent at. As he set up he thought about taking his own advice and trying to get back in touch with Ibara, he hoped that he could be forgiven for how he acted in the past.
After everyone set up, Monoma decided that it was time to train, and while Kimihito and Kanao complained, they came around to the idea, however, training was different this time. Monoma would be sparing with Josuke until the other gave up, while Izuku was facing up against Kanao who was going to be using her Quirk so his objective was to dodge her attacks without his greatsword, meanwhile, Toru was supposed to sneak up and attack Kimihito, meanwhile, May was testing out her new gadgets, and after at least an hour they would take a break and then resume and switch partners.
As the training started, Izuku dodged Kanao's attacks with ease at first but as she started using both hands and sped up her movements and it became a little harder to dodge. he first got hit in his left lower side, then after a few minutes of dodging he was tripped as Kanao swept her leg under his. Meanwhile, Josuke was holding his own against Monoma, but Monoma seemed to have the upper hand, which Izuku would admit, was impressive, because Monoma won most of the fights he had with them. As for Toru and Kimihito, half of the time, Toru managed to sneak up on Kimihito and pin him or attack him, but the other half of the time, Kimihito would be able to block her attack, attack back, and force her to deactivate her quirk.
After a while, an hour had passed and they all took a break, and then they all drank some water while also pouring a little bit of it over their heads to cool themselves off. Kimihito looked at his phone and saw the time. "Man, it's already 5?" he said "Time really does fly by out here,"
Toru nodded in agreement, "Speaking of which, we should go and collect some branched for a fire," She said
"A fire in summer?" Mei asked, "Isn't hot out here already?"
"During the day it's warm, but trust me, it gets pretty chilly out here during the night," She told them
Josuke nodded, "Then we'll make a fire, but who's going to get the wood?" he asked
"I will," Toru said
"But who's going with you?" Josuke said "Someone needs to help you," he said
"I will," Izuku chimed in
Toru looked at him with a bit of a glare, "No, you just-"
"He'll go with you," Monoma said
Toru turned around and gave Monoma a hurt look, "But-"
Monoma shook his head, "No buts Toru, Izuku's going with you, you need the help," he told her
Toru growled and turned away from him quickly and walked off. Izuku watched as she stormed off and he looked over to Monoma who just gave him a nod, and then Izuku turned to Josuke, who was giving him a smile.
"Now's your chance, Man," he said
Izuku sighed and went after her to help her look for wood to use for the fire while he was going to try and talk to her about her recent behavior towards him. He just hoped this wouldn't backfire in his face...
As Toru was walking into the forest she couldn't help but rant angrily inside her head. 'Why do I have to be stuck with him!? Why does someone so freaking useless have to help me!?' she yelled internally
As they entered the forest, and they were picking up broken branches and twigs along the forest floor, Izuku looked over at Toru many times, and she looked back at him a few times with an annoyed and angry look. Then there was the silence. Neither of them spoke the entire time as they picked up twigs and branches and it was really awkward for him.
However, what was worse to Izuku was how she looked at him, her glare and the anger and annoyance in her eyes reminded him of his old schoolmates. He remembered how disgusted and annoyed some of them looked at him, and the heated glares of Kach- of Bakugo. It reminded him that he was still a freak with no quirk, that he was weak, that he was Deku, Useless.
However, if he wanted that to stop, he needed to figure out why she was mad. He looked over at her and took in a deep breath before letting it out and deciding to talk to her.
"Toru," he called out
Toru didn't answer back.
"Toru... I know that you're angry with me and if I had to guess, it was because of what happened with the villain and with Monoma," he said
Toru still didn't answer back.
"I know that you're angry with me because I couldn't do anything, I know I didn't do much, I was useless the whole fight, and I... I hate that I couldn't do anything and Monoma nearly got killed because I wasn't strong enough... and I can understand why you hate me," Izuku said, "Cause it's the same reason I hate myself"
Hearing the beginning, she felt like she could unleash her anger and hatred on the boy, but then when he spoke the last part, she stopped. She turned to look at him finally and saw the pain and sorrow on Izuku's face
"You already know I'm Quirkless, but I was bullied for it," Izuku said as he looked at her, "I was always made fun of and called names, like useless or weak, and I was treated like a freak and hated, I never fought back and I began to believe their worlds, and even now, despite how far I've come, I still believe them..." He said
"Don't" She said
Izuku was surprised by what she said and saw her face. Her glare was gone, there wasn't any anger or annoyance, instead, she looked at him with a bit of a sad expression.
"Huh?" Izuku asked
"Don't apologize," Toru said
Izuku was still confused but Toru set her branches and twigs down and walked over to him and Izuku was surprised by how close she got.
"I'm sorry for being unfair, Izuku," Toru told him
"Unfair?" Izuku asked
Toru nodded, "I'll admit, I was angry at you for what happened with the villain, but I think I realize that I was more afraid and scared about Monoma and what might have happened to him and I took that out on you... I was even a bit jealous of you because in a short amount of time you and Monoma have grown closer," She told him "I don't hate you, Izuku, and I don't think you're useless like you believe... in a short amount of time you've gotten a lot stronger than most of us because you are very dedicated to fulfilling your dream," Toru said
Izuku was stunned by how this was resolved, but moreover, he was more surprised by her words. It really hit him, he had known that the others did believe in him, but hearing it from Toru, who he believed had come to hate him, made him feel a lot better.
"Thank you, Toru, and please, don't feel unfair, I now understand completely why you'd be upset with me, and If I was in your shoes, I may have done the same,"
"You would?" She asked
Izuku nodded bashfully, "Yeah, I mean if it was someone I liked a lot, I'd be angry as well," he said with a bit of a smile
Hearing this, Toru's face blushed, "W-Wait! What d-do you mean!?" Toru asked
Izuku was a bit confused, but answered her anyway, "You... You like Monoma, don't you?" he asked
Toru felt so embarrassed, as she covered her face, "I-Is it that Obviouse!?" She cried
"Sort of," he said with an awkward smile, "I mean, I see how much you care for him and how close you are to him when you talk and hang out," He said
"Ooooh! This is so embarrassing!" Toru cried
Izuku backed up and smiled, "I'm sorry if I- WHOA!"
Izuku had tripped over a rock and fell backward into a bush, but not just any bush... a thorn bush. Hearing him cry out, Toru took her hands away from her face and saw Izuku deep into the bush and looked in shock.
"AH! Izuku are you ok!?" Toru asked him
"Help... me..." Izuku croaked out
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"OW!" Izuku cried
"Just a few more minutes and I should have these thorns out," Toru said
Thankfully, she had helped him out of the thorn bush and brought him back to the camp where she gave them the wood for the fire and the others handed her a pair of tweezers to help take out the thorns and also bandaged him up. It was getting dark now and the others had started the fire and sat around it talking.
"Thanks..." Izuku said
Toru smiled, "It's the least I can do, Izuku, I still feel terrible for how I acted toward you," Toru told him
"As I said, it's ok," Izuku said
Toru nodded and continued taking out the thorns. Izuku looked back at her for a bit and then turned back to the fire and saw the others smiling and laughing, which made him smile.
"Some view, huh?" Izuku asked
Toru looked at him with a confused look, "Huh?" she asked him
"Josuke wants to become a hero, but the way he talks about his Mom's Dojo, I think he really wants to train others and be a teacher, he's good at it," Izuku began, "As for Kimihito, he's a bit silly, and while he says he wants to be a hero as well, I've seen how much he loves to read, and even talks to me about how he wanted to write as a kid. Kanao's family owns a restaurant and I've seen her lunch and some of the cuts on her fingers, I think she wants to be a cook and maybe even create her own restaurant one day... Everyone wants to be Hero at our age, but they also have their own hopes and dreams that they truly want to fulfill..."
Toru kept listing to him as she pulled out more thorns and looked at him, letting his words sink in.
"Looking at them all from here, I almost think I can see their hoped and dreams flickering with the flames..." Izuku said with a smile
Toru finished and finally looked over at the fire and saw the others laughing and smiling, and she saw how happy they were, how free they appeared to be in the moment. And in that moment, she saw what Izuku saw, she saw all of her friend's hopes and dreams in the light of the flames, in their smiles... It made her smile as well.
"Like a Bonfire... of Dreams," she said
Izuku chuckled and smiled as he turned to look at Toru, "well that was Poetic, sounded like you were princess for a second there," he said
Toru slightly blushed when she heard that, but she pouted as she looked at him, "Don't say something like that!" She cried, but she calmed down and smiled at him, "But I get it, it's like everyone has their own little light or fire that they bring to this little group of ours,"
Izuku nodded, "And to make sure that the weaker flames don't die out, others toss their own flames into the biggest fire that in turn helps their flames stay alive... And I think that big fire that we toss out flames into to stay alive, that's Monoma," He told her.
Toru nodded in agreement, "Yeah... that's him" Toru said with a soft smile
"I wish I could be like him," Izuku said softly
"You say something, Izuku?" Toru asked
Izuku shook his head and smiled, "Nothing," he said, he then turned back to the bonfire and watched the flames dance, while he could see everyone else's dream, he couldn't see his own, "Nothing at all..." He finished
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And I'm back with one of the most important chapters of this story! As Izuku comes to realize that his own dream may not be so clear...
What do you think will happen next?