A bittersweet romance-drama. A story between Izuku and Emi. Enjoy!

Izuku carefully pulled the vinyl record from his sleeve. He blew the dust from the enlarged diskette, a sign of its lack of use. It was from the Rolling Stones' Exile on Main St. It was a gift from his father when he turned nine years old. Wrapped in polka dot wrapping paper, the vinyl record was a gift that his father received back when he was a teenager. According to his father, it was a rite of passage. Unfortunately, he couldn't share a cold one as he did with his father when he was Izuku's age, but he shared a soda with him on the backyard of the Midoriya residence. It was to signify his transition into adolescence. Although Izuku had yet become a teenager, he wanted him to understand that life wasn't going to be easy. Sometimes, a person is forced to do things that may look oblique or didn't make any sense, but understood that within every torn fabric, a silver lining exists. Izuku nodded as they toasted over their generic grape soda.

He pulled the record player from under his bed. He set it on his desk. He tuned it to the position where the track of his choice would begin. "Torn and Frayed" was the serenade of the night inside of his bedroom. He slowly pulled on his undergarments. He sprayed his best cologne that he obtained from his father. He looked in the mirror. In front of him was a young gentleman. He was a boy who was transitioning to a man. He saw a few pencil-like hairs curling around his chest. He saw a small freckle of a mustache. Last night as he was talking to Eijirou on the phone, his voice surprisingly croaked. However, he did not feel like a teenager. Young teenagers don't have encounters with older women, he thought to himself. Teenagers, his age, should feel happy with the endless affections, endless gifts, or in his case, the endless lovemaking, but not him. Especially when it came to a sudden derailment. Like a train that went off of the track and into an endless abyss, unforeseen circumstances abruptly ended their course together.

Emi...

A surge of sadness waved over his body as he was having cold feet of going to a place that he didn't want to go to see the people that he didn't want to see being taken away by someone else.

In front of his dresser was a wedding invitation. Decorated in seafoam green and dark green, her favorite colors. Written in fine cursive, the union of Shouta Aizawa and Emi Fukukado. The wedding was tonight and a limousine was expected to pick him. He had a very important on behalf of the Aizawa couple. He was chosen to be a part of the groomsmen.

He stood back and sat on the bed. He was careful not to wrinkle his suit. A suit that was worth over hundreds of dollars. A suit that Shouta purchased for this occasion. A suit that was free and at his expense.

He was fortunate that the letter from UCLA came through in the mail. He had it sent to Tenya's house to avoid suspicion from his parents. Couldn't imagine living in the same city, the same prefecture, the same country knowing that Emi was with Shouta Aizawa was unbearable. Living in America was originally their choice, to run away together. To start anew.

And now, he was planning on venturing the overseas course alone.

Izuku's thought was interrupted by a knock on the door. He sat up and walked to the door. He was grateful that he knew it was only his father. He didn't know where his mother went, but for the time being, he didn't care. His father was here and that was all the mattered.

"Come on in, Dad." Izuku showed his father into his bedroom. He sat on the bed as he stared at his father. In return, he stared at his son. His son's eyes were red and puffy. His face was pale. It looked as if he had been up for a few days. His father closed the door and grabbed a chair to sit across from his son. He lowered the record player so he could talk to his son.

He held the sleeve of the tuxedo. He let out a smile before talking to his son. "I am excited that my little man is going to his first wedding. And as a groomsman at that." He coughed, smiling at his son.

"Yeah." Izuku didn't look at his father. He was managing the tears. He sniffled, trying to conceal it.

"It feels like yesterday that my son was riding his trike and putting on his father's shoes," said his father with a light chuckle.

Izuku wore his plastic smile and laughed along with his father's role of being a father. "It doesn't feel that long ago, Dad. Those days feel so surreal. One day I was in diapers and the next, I am a teenager."

"I can hear it in your voice," said his father. "I am happy to see you in a position of being responsible and well-suited of taking care of a lady." He was referring to the bridesmaid, Izuku thought as his father peered closer to him. "And who is your partner in this?"

"Ibara," answered Izuku quietly.

"Ibara Shiozaki," questioned his father. "Good girl. I know her folks. Clever, smart girl." He winked at his son. "Maybe she may ask you for a dance...and maybe more."

Izuku blew a raspberry. "Unless I can heal the sick, raise the dead, turn water into wine, and rise again from the grave." His tone was flat, but not enough to raise suspicion from his father. "I am afraid I won't meet her prerequisites."

"Ibara is a good girl. I can see why Emi and Shouta matched her with you," said his father. "Contrasts can make the best pairs. Look at your mother and me."

"Dad," said Izuku before pausing, wanting to change the subject. He was trying to capture his thoughts. "Remember the Rolling Stones album you have given me."

"I do," replied his father. "It was a gift from my old man back I was your age."

"That present, that gift. It was meaningful to me. I say that because you show appreciation. You were excited to express that love for your son. It was pure and absolute love."

"Thanks, son. I was very selective on the gift because this album reminds me of you in this time."

"Explain."

"You are at an age that changes are going to happen. Good changes, bad changes, changes in general. This album to me shows that life is going to happen. We will face challenges. Joy, pain, sunshine, rain. Life can love you and hate you. It can pat your cheek and slap you with the same hand. I just wanted to show you that no matter how life gets at you, stay strong."

His father got up and move aside his tuxedo. He sat beside Izuku. It was a welcoming feeling. There was love in the room. Something he hasn't felt in a while. True, unconditional love."

"Seeing you going on dates, hanging out with friends, it is like you are growing up too fast," said his father. "It makes me want to tell you to slow down. There is no rush. Let life take its course. Before long, you will be out of the house and finding your own way of living."

"Yes, sir."

"I just hope that I am doing the best I can to be a supporting father. Even though lately the role hasn't been filled very well."

Izuku rubbed his father's shoulder. "You're back home for good. You're back with Mom. Things are and will get better. In fact, better than ever, Dad."

His father returned his embrace by rubbing his hand. His father observed their hands. It was matching. It was like seeing that growth of his teenager made him want to swell with emotions. He sniffled his nose, grabbing the handkerchief to wipe his nose. "I love you, son. I know I don't say it much. But, you are a good boy." He coughed. "Excuse me. You are a good man."

"I came up here because I wanted to give you something." Hisashi pulled the box beside him. Izuku didn't notice it earlier. Inside was a corsage. "If you are going to treat a woman right, then you must make sure she is feeling right."

He handed it to Izuku. "Give this to her and let her know how important she is to you. Even if that feeling is for a night." He took another breath. "I don't know if you are feeling Ibara or not, or anyone else, but understand Izuku Midoriya, there is one girl out there you will treat you special. A girl that understands you. A girl that appreciates the imperfections and your blueprint in general. The same goes to her for you, Icchan." Izuku swallowed the lump in his throat. He had never heard his father called him by his nickname in years.

"I know you are too young to understand love. I don't expect you to understand. Just know that one of these days, you will have a girl that you will sincerely care for." Hisashi stood up and walked to the front of Izuku's door. "I love you, Icchan. Don't forget I ever mention it." He had his hand on the knob. "Understand that there are no mistakes if it is a destiny. Everything happens for a reason. I just hope I am following the right course. The same with you."

"Dad."

"My heart tells me that you are thinking of something that is beyond obscene," said his father as he sighed heavily. "You're my son. I know what you are wearing when you think we don't know. You are a bleeding heart...and that's okay, son."

"Dad."

"Whatever decision you make, take note that you have my and your mother's support," said his father. This time, he wiped a tear. "Have you a good wedding and I love you, son. Bye."

Hisashi closed the door from behind him. Izuku held the corsage gently. He eyed the color and he blushed at its sight. It was a beautiful, delicate flower, he thought to himself. The color matched the wedding invitation - seafoam green and dark green.

He looked at his watch and saw that he had twenty minutes. He hurried as he got his tuxedo ready. At any moment, the chauffeur was going to be at his doorstep.

To be continued….