Chapter 31: Betrayal and Confession

I got up bright and early as today was a brand-new day! Not only that but summer had come to a close. But I had no regrets, because today is the beginning of the new semester. I had a lot of hopes as I genuinely thought that this was going to be the start of another great day. And it started off with no sign of warning for things to come. But as I trotted down the hallway, I noticed a person standing outside of the door to Class A, that I hadn't seen since the cruise ship. I could never forget that person's silver hair was tied with black ribbons as I recognized her immediately.

"Shiina? What are you doing here?" I asked with a smile on my face. Sure, I was a bit confused, but it was a pleasant surprise as I genuinely enjoyed being around her. I didn't feel alarmed by her in the slightest, even though she was a beautiful girl. It just felt… I don't know… 'good' to see her, I guess. Hiyori looked up at me and recognized me by the sound of my voice before smiling.

"Hey, Deku. It's been a while, hasn't it?" Shiina asked as I nodded in affirmation. It's almost been a whole month since we were on the cruise. August had gone by in a flash and now we were in September. And with that the season had changed from summer to fall. I didn't mind this as I much preferred the colder weather as it made my morning jogs all the more refreshing. But it wouldn't be much longer…

… In fact, it would be very soon where the word fall undertook a new meaning for me. But before that-

"So, um… we never got a chance to hang out during the break. Though that's completely my fault because I never exchanged contact information with you. Not that I didn't want to! I just forgot and-anyway here's my number! I'll send you the location of where that café I told you about the other day was! Also, nice hair! Bye!" Shiina talked really fast before handing me a piece of paper and running away faster than I could blink. But all I could think was that she is-

'Yeah. She's super cute.' I thought internally with my eyes closed and a smile on my face. But before I knew it, I felt a person slap my back. I then looked at the person who did it and noticed that it was none other than Sudo.

"Oh, hey Sudo." I replied but I quickly noticed that Sudo was grinning head to toe. This confused me. But before I could ask him about it-

"Good for you, Midoriya." Sudo spoke genuinely but this only further confused me. 'Good for me?' What does he mean by that? But my confusion became clear to him as his smile reverted to a look of utter astonishment.

"Y-You seriously don't know? Dude, you just got asked out on a date." Sudo replied as I looked at him like a deer in the headlights while processing the words he just told me until-

"Wait… WHAT?!" I shouted at the top of my lungs as I did a double take! You mean to tell me that Shiina just asked me out on a date?! No! There's no way that she likes likes me! And even if she does…

… I'VE NEVER BEEN ON A DATE IN MY ENTIRE LIFE!

"What am I supposed to do!? No more importantly, what am I supposed to wear!? Will my school uniform work? No! I should wear something way more casual! But I haven't even done any clothes shopping here! Other than buying that bathing suit the other day. (And my hero outfit) I've just been wearing and washing the same school uniform and tracksuit over and over again! Not that anyone could blame me since this school had a strict dress code much like UA. So, I really didn't have any reason to buy anything else- I rambled on and on much to Sudo's annoyance until he-

"Dude, if you need some clothes, I'll give ya some of mine. Though on second thought, maybe that won't work." Sudo admitted before noticing our difference in height. I was pretty average in height. But in stellar contrast to me, Sudo was very tall for his age, much less a Japanese person in general. He was six feet tall and a whole eighteen centimeters taller than me. (For reference I was one hundred and sixty-five centimeters tall, and he was one hundred and eighty-three centimeters tall.) Which meant that there was no way his clothes would fit me without them looking utterly ridiculous on me. Sudo realized this too.

"You know what, just text her that you'll be a bit late, but you'll be able to make it an hour after school ends. I'll take you clothes shopping right after cause I have a good eye for style, unlike you. No offense." Sudo spoke as I replied with 'None taken.' Before smiling back at him. I then put Shiina's number into my contact list before texting her exactly what Sudo told me to tell her. But then again, is this really, okay? I don't want to hurt Uraraka's feelings for me, if she does feel the way I felt about her.

But at the same time, I'd feel horrible if I just blew Shiina off. So, I decided that it was best to hang out with her. Even if it is really a date like Sudo says it is, I can just explain to her that I'm not really interested in dating right now. But I still want to be her friend, that's why I must do this. Because for some reason I believe that Shiina will become important to me in the future. But it's just a feeling so I could be way off. Even still, I appreciate her company, and I want to learn more about her. That's why I-

'Ding!' Shiina's phone made an audible 'ding!' as she scrambled for her phone, almost dropping it several times in the process before clasping it in her hands. She then let out a 'Phew.' Before checking the text message, she just received only to find out it was from Midoriya. She smiled out of pure glee before sending the location of the Café back to him. But in the midst of that, Ibuki stared at Ryuuen's empty desk as it was unlikely he was going to attend class today. Albert realized this too as he laid back in his seat with a disappointed look on his face. But shortly after that-

'Ding!' I received the text detailing where the café is. I then realized that I passed this place quite frequently while walking home from school. Yeah, this place looks like a nice one to chat at. I was genuinely happy at this moment. I thought nothing could go wrong. But as I entered my classroom, I realized…

… Just how wrong I was.

"Huh?" I muttered while maintaining my smile as I noticed that while everyone was present and accounted for, Hirata was staring at me from where his seat was. His face, which usually had a carefree smile on it, was quite different. His anger was clearly visible, which I had never seen before on him. It made me become rather confused as I didn't know what could have possibly made him so angry. But at the same time, I noticed that the sunny day had transitioned into one full of dark clouds that I could see from the window of the classroom.

'Rumble.' Thunder rumbled as the atmosphere quickly grew tense between us. Sudo noticed this and was just as confused as me. But I couldn't find the right words to respond so he beat me to the punch.

"Whatcha lookin at him like that for?" Sudo asked while sticking up his chin to showcase that he was ready and willing to defend me from whatever Hirata had issues with regarding me. But in response, Hirata gritted his teeth. But in the midst of that I noticed that Karuizawa was looking at him as she appeared to be on the verge of tears. Just what the hell is going on? But just as I thought that-

You really want to know? Figures. Of course, he wouldn't tell you. Because all this time, Midoriya had been hiding his true colors from everyone. Not revealing to a single person who he really was. Well… except for one." Hirata replied before grabbing Karuizawa's phone from her desk. In the midst of that, I noticed Karuizawa attempting to grab it but unsuccessfully doing so before her 'boyfriend' took it off her desk. He then walked over to me ever so slowly before getting up in personal as I braced myself for what was about to happen next. However…

… I was not in any shape or form prepared for the cold and bitter truth that I was about to learn. But upon Karuizawa's phone being put right near my face, I read what was on it.' It was then that my eyes shot wide open as I took in the words that were on her phone. It was a group of several text messages from the other day, but as I read each word, I couldn't understand why or who wrote them. But even though I couldn't understand them, what was listed above them was the name 'Deku' along with my phone number. This meant that the following message was sent by me.

'Karuizawa, you look sexy as hell in that swimsuit. Was that for me, or was that for your boyfriend? Were you trying to get him excited? Because it sure as hell got me excited down there, if you know what I mean. Just looking at you makes me want to fuck you so badly. So, how about it? I'll be swinging by your place later. I'm expecting you to be soaking wet as the moment I arrive I'm going to- I couldn't read another word as I averted my eyes from the phone near my face. I couldn't understand who would write something so horrible to Karuizawa.

But what I couldn't understand more than that was how those messages were sent by my phone. I was so confused. I would never have written something that messed up to her! Let alone ever say something so horrible! I mean, who the hell would do something so mean spirited?! I tried recalling the events of the past day while searching desperately for a clue that would answer my question. But it was then that everything became crystal clear as my eyes went wide. I then realized exactly who the person who sent that message it was-

'Hey Midoriya. I left my phone back at my place. Mind if I borrow your phone for a sec?' Her. Kikyo Kushida. But why? I don't understand! Why would she do this?! But just as I was looking at her, I noticed that her smile that was always plastered onto her face as if she was never really smiling twisted a bit until it became one that was incredibly sinister looking. But that only lasted for an instant, as she caught me looking at her and went back to the way she always smiled. But in that interval, Sudo read the message for himself. And his response was-

"… How could you, Midoriya?" Sudo asked as I noticed the look on his face which made clear just how betrayed he looked. He couldn't believe why I would say such horrible things. But there was no evidence that proved otherwise. So, he couldn't help but think I really texted those awful things to Karuizawa. Noticing that look filled with such disappointment made me hurt way more than anything The Deep threw at me. But it was for that exact reason that I must properly explain myself and reveal the true culprit. But how can I even do that when the evidence is so stacked against me?!

'That's the spirit. Lead the way, Midoriya-San.' No! I have to try! Hirata is a nice and understanding guy who has always been there for me when I was feeling down! If anyone will understand me now, then it's him!

"Hirata, you don't understand. I swear that I didn't send those awful messages. The person who did was- I spoke with a serious look of my own as I was about to point at Kushida but before I could and finish speaking for that matter-

'BAM!' He slugged me right in the face. I was so caught off guard by it that I couldn't help but be reminded of the time Iida hit me way back before me and the others went to Kamino. And even though the punch didn't hurt me as much as The Deep's hits did. The stinging sensation and what came after hurt far more than anything I had ever felt in this world, or even the one that I grew up in. But in the midst of this, all of my classmates were caught off guard by Hirata hitting me. Most of all was-

"Hirata! What's your problem!? Why would you hit Midoriya?!" Horikita yelled out with a face full of anger as she did not understand why Hirata just struck me. That made it clear to me that only a few people were aware of what was really going on, me, Hirata, Karuizawa, Sudo, and Kushida. The other twenty students had no idea why the always laidback class rep with a smile on his face would do such a thing. Hirata noticed this. And before they or anyone else for that matter could say a word-

"You don't understand a damn thing, Horikita! None of you do! Which is why… I'm going to expose Midoriya for the piece of shit he really is!" Hirata declared with a face full of rage before taking a screenshot of what was on Karuizawa's phone. Karuizawa noticed this and stood up from her seat. But just as she was about to say something-

'Don't you dare.' Kushida was silent but even though she didn't say a word, that message was made crystal clear by the look she gave Karuizawa. Karuizawa bit her lip before averting her eyes from Kushida and closing them out of an intense feeling of regret for what was about to unfold. And before she or anyone else knew it-

'Ding! Ding! Ding!' Instantaneously everyone's phones let out a 'Ding!' At the same time, they checked their phones as their eyes went out of utmost surprise. Some let out audible gasps. While others muttered 'The fuck?!' While each and every one had their own unique way of looking at things, they were all the same on a single specific point. That their faces were full of disgust. Disgust that was directed solely at me. I noticed them before looking at the ground out of shame. I genuinely couldn't understand why this was happening and why Kushida had done this.

However, there were two people out of all of them who knew that I would never do such a thing. The first was Sakura, but even though she genuinely believed in me, she couldn't think of a single thing to say that would undo the damage that had already been done. As for the other person, it was the girl who was on my side from the very beginning. The first person who I called a friend. Of course, her name was-

"This has to be a sick joke. There's no way Midoriya would ever do such a thing. That's why… it had to have been someone else." Suzune spoke with a serious look on her face as she regained as much of her calm and composed attitude as she always had. But even she was struggling to keep this up, as she had no possible suspect in mind who would do such a thing. That's why her sweating made it clear that she was only proposing a theory with no hard evidence. Hirata noticed this and scoffed at her.

"And who in their right mind would even think of saying something so horrible to my girlfriend? I doubt there is a single person who doesn't like her in this room. And if so, speak now." Hirata spoke to the class as no one said a word in response. That's because no one held any ill will toward Karuizawa. She was well liked throughout the classroom and out of all the girls she was probably liked second out of all of them, with only one particular person surpassing her in terms of how much the class adored her. And it was that person…

… Who was the true culprit behind this horrible event.

"Kushida… it was Kushida." I muttered quietly before raising my voice just a bit louder so that everyone could hear me clearly. But everyone stared at me out of sheer disbelief at who I just remarked as the culprit. But out of everyone, the person who was the most surprised by this was none other than the culprit herself.

"H-H-How could you say something so horrible?! I would never have done anything so reprehensible to Kei! Kei's my friend! And you accuse me even knowing that?! How? How… could you be so awful… Midoriya?" Kushida asked while tears went down her cheeks as she looked genuinely upset. But even though I knew it was all a façade, I couldn't help but be taken aback by how sad she looked. And before I could say another word to defend myself-

"I can't believe you would actually accuse Kushida of all people. You should know that she would never have done anything like that to Kei. And even knowing this, you accuse the person who has only treated everyone as a friend. You are the most disgusting person I've ever met, Midoriya." Hirata declared while glaring daggers at me with a face full of disgust. I averted my eyes from him because I knew that looking at him would only cause me to feel even more horrible. But no matter where I looked, the faces that I saw were all ones of utter disgust. The only exceptions were Horikita, Sakura, Karuizawa, and Kushida who all looked very sad.

I couldn't stand to see the sight of everyone looking at me as if I was some monster. Not to mention the looks of anguish from the girls I just mentioned. And it was then as the dark clouds began to rain.

'Drip. Drip. Drip.' It was then that I noticed rain pouring from the window. I also heard it drip onto the school. I was not prepared for this reality. That everything had managed to fall apart before I could even wrap my head around things. But if this oppressive atmosphere made one thing clear, it was that I was no longer welcome in this classroom. My classmates that I had become acquainted with made this clear as the overwhelming majority of them rejected me. That's why I had no choice but to-

"And where do you think you're going?" Hirata asked as he realized that I was about to leave the classroom. My eyes went wide as I knew that he wouldn't be letting me leave after what he believed I had done. That's why it was no surprise-

'BAM!' He punched me in the face again before grabbing my collar and gripped it as tightly as possible while glaring daggers at me. It was then that I noticed through all of his anger, he was the one who felt the most betrayed out of everyone in this room. And what he said next only proved it-

"I can't believe I actually TRUSTED you! How could I be so stupid?! I genuinely thought of us as friends. But you fooled me! You fooled us all! That's why no matter what punishment you are given it will NEVER be enough to satisfy me! To satisfy how much I hate you! So, if it means getting suspended along with you… then so be it." Hirata continued before winding up his fist and-

'BAM!' Slamming it into my face once more. This time his blow left a noticeable impact, as I began to-

'Drip. Drip. Drip.' Bleed onto the ground. I was bleeding from lips as they were wounded by Hirata's knuckles. Horikita couldn't stand the sight of me getting pummeled and had already left the classroom to get in touch with the security guards to get Hirata off of me. So, it would only be less than a minute before they showed up.

In the midst of me getting beaten up, all Sakura could do was watch while gritting her teeth. Before muttering 'That's enough.' With a look of regret on her face as she was on the verge of crying. But she felt powerless because she instinctively knew that her words wouldn't be able to stop Hirata. And she was right.

Because Hirata didn't stop there. He kept hitting me again and again, all while our classmates could do nothing except either watch or accept this reality. But no matter how many times Hirata hit me; I didn't defend myself a single time. Even with black eyes and blood dripping from my nose and mouth, I stood there and took each and every hit. But in the span of twenty seconds, Hirata had landed a flurry of blows onto me. He moved so fast. It was almost as if he stopped time. But just as he winded up his fist again-

"That's enough, man. You've already put him through the wringer. So, just stop." Sudo spoke with a serious look on his face and a tone of voice that matched it. Hirata heard this and felt Sudo put his hand onto his shoulder. But he instantly slapped his hand off the moment he felt it.

"I'll tell you when I had enough!" Hirata snapped back at Sudo before turning his attention back to me as his eyes went wide upon noticing how his face was a bloody mess. Hirata was so caught up in the heat of the moment, his rage had blinded him from how much damage he was actually doing. Only then did Hirata realize this and was genuinely confused.

"Are you seriously not going to try and defend yourself?! If you really believe that you did nothing wrong, then hit me!" Hirata snapped back once more while gripping my collar as he couldn't understand why I wasn't even putting any effort whatsoever to evade any of his blows, much less strike back. He knew that was capable of hitting somebody. He saw me headbutt Sudo back on the island. That's why he genuinely couldn't understand why I was not resisting this. Even with my face being a bloody mess. That's why I-

"… You may think that by hitting me, this means were enemies now. But it doesn't. All of you may hate me now. But even so, I don't view any of you as my enemies. Because I can say for certain that no one in this classroom is my enemy. How could I say anything that goes against that after most of you have treated me with nothing but kindness? And even to the one person who did betray me, you aren't my enemy. I have no enemies here. And that's why… I won't fight back." I declared with a genuine tone of voice and a face that matched it.

But even though I was convinced of that, unbeknownst to me, 'Ike' quietly laughed to himself. But no one noticed this. I didn't see him laugh (Nor hear him because he had done so ever so quietly.) Because I could barely see with my eyes that had been almost swollen shut due to Hirata's punches.

That's also why I couldn't see the genuine surprise that the majority of my classmates had on their faces. Even Kushida was surprised while she was secretly recording the event taking place for a certain someone to see. As for that certain somebody, she too was surprised. Of course, that person was Arisu Sakayanagi. But even though Sakayanagi had anticipated this event and worked with Kushida to enact her plan, (By giving the latter a hefty sum of the points she saved up.) All she felt in this moment was an emotion that she could not explain in the slightest.

It was neither joy nor any other positive emotion to speak of. But even though the girl named Arisu Sakayanagi could not process what she was feeling in this moment, it was an emotion that was previously unknown to her. An emotion called regret. But even though she was feeling regretful over these actions taking place, there was still someone amongst Class A who was not satisfied yet and that person was Yosuke Hirata.

"Then… grit your teeth." Hirata declared with a serious expression on his face as his knuckles were red with my blood on it. But before he could land another hit on me, someone grabbed his arm. This surprised him because it was clearly not Midoriya, and his eyes shot wide open upon noticing who had latched onto his arm. It was none other than his 'girlfriend' Kei Karuizawa.

"… Kei." Hirata muttered while noticing Karuizawa's face that had tears all over it. He momentarily put down his arm as he could not understand why she stopped him. She should have been the person who was most against Midoriya. After all, how could she try to stop him after everything Izuku had done to her? Hirata couldn't understand and before he or anyone else could say another word-

'BAM!' The door to the classroom was swung open as the security guards arrived and restrained Hirata who put up no effort to fight back as he was still genuinely confused over Karuizawa's actions. All the while I just stood there in a daze as I was still overwhelmed by everything that had happened. But this only lasted for a few more moments until Chabashira walked into the classroom along with Horikita and at the same time-

'DONG!' The bell rang, Chabashira looked around in utter confusion and couldn't understand what on earth made Hirata beat me to a pulp. But even knowing that she knew that he wouldn't do something like that without a reason. However, the result was clear and that's why she walked over to me.

"Midoriya, go to the nurse's office. Horikita, accompany him." Chabashira declared as she deduced that I wouldn't be able to see that well with my black eyes. But in the midst of that, Horikita faltered all while recalling-

'I'm not asking if you will, I'm TELLING you to abandon Izuku Midoriya. You do realize I can expose any time I so desire too. And I will unless you cut him out of your life. At this rate, you'll both be arrested. I cannot allow that to happen. So, I'm willing to overlook him for now. But only IF you do as I say.' Her brother's words from last month. But even though he had said this weeks ago, it felt like he said them the other day. She knew that her brother had access to the security cameras due to him being President of the Student Council. So, if he sees them together…

… Then he might really expose Midoriya's identity. And after everything that happened to him, that would be the straw that broke the camel's back. There would be no going back from that, it would be without a shadow of a doubt, the point of no return. Horikita didn't want him to suffer any more than he already has, but she also wanted to lend him a shoulder like he did for her at her weakest moment. And it's for that reason that she was at a loss for what to do as she looked at the ground out of regret. Chabashira noticed this.

"… Sakura. You accompany Midoriya instead of Horikita." Chabashira declared as Sakura nodded in affirmation before walking over to me and grabbing my hand before exiting the classroom with me in tow. The door shut behind us with an audible 'creak.' And as we made our way down the hallway, she stopped in place before turning around to face me. She took a few seconds to figure out the words she wanted to say, but just as she was about to say them-

'Step! Step! Step!' I ran away from her. She called out to me, but I refused to listen to her. I couldn't face the reality of her hating me. I might have kept a brave face in the classroom, but I couldn't stand the sight of seeing everyone look at me like I'm a demon from hell! So, I chose to run away from it all. I didn't go to the nurse's office, nor did I return to school later that day. I didn't want to go back there. So, once I made it back to my apartment, I shut and locked the door behind me.

But even though everything seemed so futile, before I knew it, I found myself at my desk. There were pencils and paper neatly placed on the desk. (By me of course.) I then picked up one of the pencils and began writing out my thoughts, such as 'Why did Kushida betray me?' and 'What could have been her motive in all of this?' But I couldn't find an answer, so I immediately scribbled out those words and began writing something else. This time, I chose to write 'Did I deserve this?' and 'Or could I have prevented this?' But with nothing coming to me I balled up the paper and threw it out into the trash.

No. I shouldn't be thinking thoughts such as those. I want to feel better. I NEED to feel better. But how? What was something that always made me feel better? Something that always puts a smile on my face the moment I think about it. But as those thoughts appeared in my head, so did thoughts of my friends from the world I grew up in. Kacchan, Uraraka, Iida, Todoroki, and everyone else from Class A, until I stumbled upon a certain girl and the song, she wrote for everyone to hear.

'Scribble. Scribble. Scrribble.' And before I knew it, I found myself writing the lyrics for Kyoka Jiro's song 'Hero Too.' A song so emotionally powerful, it put a smile on Eri's face after all the torture and abuse she experienced at the hands of Overhaul. But even though she and countless others smiled brightly because of such inspirational words… why… why can't I…

… Smile? Upon realizing that fact, I stood up from the chair I was sitting in and crashed onto my bed. I stayed there crying into my pillow for what felt like an eternity until I eventually dozed off.

'Ding! Ding! Ding!' However, my ringtone woke me up as I opened my eyes to see that someone was calling me. But as soon as I saw the caller id, my eyes shot wide open as I realized that it was none other than Kushida. I answered the call without any hesitation. I said 'Hello.' But silence lasted for a few seconds until-

"There's a secluded spot near the ocean, that's right outside of your apartment, meet me there." Kushida said right before hanging up not even a second later. I then stood back up. Because even with all of the pain I'm feeling right now, I needed to know why she did this. She never told me why, and I wanted to know her side of the story. There's a chance she was blackmailed into betraying me by someone else, like Ryuuen or Sakayanagi. That's why I have to hear her out, even if it only ends up hurting me in the end.

I did as I was requested and noticed Kushida standing near a railing with the ocean in the distance. It was well past eight at night and it was almost completely dark out, with the exception of a few lampposts and the moon hanging in the sky. I peered at her behind some trees before walking over to her. She heard my footsteps and turned to focus her attention onto me. And then…

"Kept me waiting huh? That's an awfully cruel thing to do to a to a young lady, Midoriya." Kushida spoke with her usual forced smile. That's when I realized that it was completely and utterly fake. If she was genuinely sorry, she would have apologized right then and there. But she didn't. That's why I knew she treated all of this like a game. I had no time for that, so I cut to the chase.

"Drop the act. Just tell me why you did it." I asked while even though I slept for most of the day I felt so tired. But even though I could barely see out of my eyes, I noticed Kushida's angelic smile vanish as it was replaced by a smile much more sinister. She then slowly approached me until she was right in front of me.

"Oh, so you finally realized? Took you long enough. For a second, I thought you still had doubts whether I did all of that because someone was blackmailing me. But nope. I did all of that because I wanted to. Oh, and a shit ton of points from Sakayanagi. So, don't think I have any regrets, because I have none whatsoever." Kushida declared as her voice changed into one, I had not heard before. Gone was the cheerfulness and it was replaced by a tone of voice that was much more condescending. But even then, I expected that this was the truth all along, no matter how much it disappointed me. Even still I-

"So, you collaborated with Sakayanagi. I understand why she hates me, and I can't blame her for it. But what about you? What made you hate me?" I asked but this made Kushida tilt her head out of confusion before letting out a boisterous laugh. And then…

"Hate you? Hahaha… did you honestly think that I had some reason that motivated me into making everyone hate you? Well, too bad. Cause I have no reason. I simply did it, all because I felt like it. You see, you never mattered to me. Not even for a second. None of you did. Not Karuizawa. Not Hirata. Not anyone. Oh, but I guess there's one person who I despise more than any other. That would be Horikita." Kushida admitted with a smile as she was genuinely smiling for the first time. And seeing that smile with my own eyes unnerved me to my very core.

"Horikita?! W-What did she ever do to you?!" I yelled out even though I expected a response like that. All the signs have pointed to her having a grudge against Horikita for a while now. But why!? Horikita is a good person! Why would Kushida hate her of all people?! But Kushida noticed my confusion and grimaced.

"You think she's so great because she's so pretty and nice to you and calls you by that idiotic nickname? I hate her. I hate her so much. I honestly would feel so much better if she just jumped off a cliff and died. So yeah. If it wasn't obvious, I fucking hate her guts. The reason why… nah. I don't think I'll tell you. There's a slight chance that you may tell her why and I'd rather not let her know about that. Anyway, if you tell anyone about that I used your phone to send those horrible messages to Karuizawa, I'll make you pay." Kushida declared while glaring daggers at me. But I couldn't accept that.

"This is MY life we're talking about. I don't want anyone to hate me even if it means you hate me. So, that's why I've been recording this conversation the whole time. I'll send it to Horikita and everyone else if you don't confess to what you did. So, what is it going to be Kushida?" I asked while holding my phone tightly in my hands as I wouldn't be letting go of it for not even a second no matter what she did to me. But after hearing this, Kushida blinked her eyes a few times out of surprise before laughing once more.

"Oh man. That's pretty clever of you! I never thought you who's so nice and innocent would use my own words against me! Not bad, Midoriya, but so what?" Kushida asked as I looked at her with genuine surprise on my face. What did she mean by that?

"So… what?" I muttered as she grinned.

"Yeah. So what? So, what if you send out this recording of me to everyone else. It's not like it sounds like I usually talk in the slightest, so people won't believe for a second that you recorded me. After all, why would they believe you over me? Especially if I told them that the reason why you are recording this message and the reason why you made me say such horrible things before was all because of the same reason. That reason being that you threatened to rape me." Kushida replied as my eyes went wide with shock over what she was saying. I knew that she was twisted…

… But that's whole other level that I was not prepared for in the slightest. Kushida noticed this and smiled.

"B-But t-that w-would b-be a-a f-false a-accusation." I muttered while uncontrollably stuttering over the overwhelming sense of fear that I was feeling regarding Kikyo Kushida as she revealed just how diabolical she is to me by placing my hand onto her breast. My eyes shot wide open as smirked sadistically.

"You see that's where you're wrong. It's not a false accusation. Your fingerprints are right there. See? There's proof. So, if you thought this abysmal attempt that cornering me into doing what you wanted, you're sadly mistaken. After all, I, Kikyo Kushida will not bow down to some filthy rapist, who wants nothing but to fuck me into submission. So, get your grubby little paws off me already, Izuku Midoriya." Kushida declared while she completely turned the tables onto me to the point that I lost my grip on my phone, and she seized the chance by grabbing it out of my hand and deleting the recording.

"And now… you have nothing at all to threaten me with. All while I have nothing but substantial proof that you attempted to rape me. Wow, that was easier than I thought it would be. So, I'll give you one last warning, you hear me? If you even attempt to tell anyone of what I did, you'll pay. I'll make damn sure of it." Kushida declared with a serious look on her face as I recalled all of my memories of her smiling throughout these months as they shattered to pieces and were replaced by this look of hers as she glared daggers at me. She noticed this and smiled.

"But seriously don't even try it. I mean do you really anyone will take your word after you said you were going to rape Karuizawa? Nah, they won't buy it for a second. And even if you didn't do that, they still wouldn't believe you over me. Because after all, I'm the class idol that everyone admires and is friends with. Hirata might be Class rep, but he's but a puppet, because I'm Class A's leader." Kushida declared as I backed away from her while she closed in on me until I hit the trunk of one of the nearby trees with my back. And then…

"I rule Class A. And let's just say hypothetically I didn't and everything I've been telling you was bullshit. So what? I'm a woman. A poor defenseless woman who says she was taken advantage of by a man. Do you really think they are going to take your side? You see, Midoriya, I won far before I even had to lift one of my fingers. Because no matter what happens next… no one will EVER believe you." Kushida declared before sincerely smiling sinisterly once more. She then took her leave as I was left there alone, more alone than I've ever felt as her final words played on repeat over and over as I made my way home.

But in the midst of that, 'he' was watching. The man named Kakeru Ryuuen. But as he was stalking me, he overheard Kushida's 'confession.' And even he was genuinely surprised. He saw me look so weak and pitiful and contemplated crushing me there under his boot like a bug. But before he could, he stopped, knowing that beating me now wouldn't satisfy him. So, he stood there for a few seconds until-

'WHOOOSH!' A gust of wind hit him in the back as his eyes shot wide open upon noticing a purple vortex open in front of him. But before he could say a word, a man with brown hair and eyes belonging to the dead emerged from it. Ryuuen had not seen the man before, but he was all too familiar by this point. His name was-

"If you really want to crush Izuku Midoriya then how about you gain some real power first?" Kiyotaka asked as he stuck out his hand toward Ryuuen. The latter of which did not know what the former meant by 'real power.' But even so he felt entranced by this man he had never seen before and took his hand as they went into the vortex and vanished without a trace. But I had no clue what was going on, because I had never felt more isolated in my entire life. And before I knew it, I made it home and slumped onto my bed. But not long after that-

'Knock. Knock.' Someone knocked on my door. But I was too tired to answer it, so I ignored it. But no matter how much I waited for the person outside of my room to leave they kept knocking over and over until I gave in and opened the door for them. My eyes went wide upon noticing that it was-

"… S-Sakura?" I muttered as I noticed the girl named Airi Sakura standing just outside of my apartment with a serious look on her face. But I couldn't take this anymore. I'm at my wits end if she chews me out then I don't know what I'll do. But just as I thought of that, she shook her a few times until she-

"Midoriya. I need to tell you something." Sakura spoke but just as she was reaching out to touch me, I was instinctively reminded of when Kushida grabbed my hand and put it on her breast. My eyes shot wide open and before I knew it-

'BAM!' I knocked her arm away as I accidentally used enough force that she tumbled to the ground. Sakura screamed in pain while clutching her arm as my eyes went wide out of horror at what I had just done. All I could do was mutter 'I'm sorry.' Before running back into my room and slamming the door behind me. I locked it without a second thought.

I then slumped behind the door as I heard Sakura knocking on my door over and over again. But I couldn't even think of answering it as tears ran down my face as I internally begged for her to stop and go home. And after a while, the knocking ended as I breathed a sigh of relief knowing that I was alone and that I couldn't hurt anyone else. But then…

"Ah." I gasped while noticing something had been slipped under my door. It was a piece of paper. I reminded me of the one that Shiina gave me. But just thinking that made me want to vomit, as I recklessly abandoned her without even telling her that I wasn't going to make it to the café. I didn't want anything to do with anyone right now, I've hurt too many people, indirectly or directly. But upon getting up I accidentally stepped on the paper with my shoe. But no matter how many times I tried to shake it off of me, it wouldn't fall off, so I grabbed it as my eyes shot wide open upon noticing the words 'To Izuku Midoriya.' I then flipped it over to see-

'Midoriya. I'm writing this because I want to make sure that I'm able to clearly let you know exactly how I feel without confusing you. I'm not that good when it comes to replying to others because I have to think about it for a bit until the words, I was looking for come to me. It usually ends with me barely being able to say anything at all. But that's why I took the time to write this. You are feeling depressed over what happened earlier this morning. I can't blame you for feeling that way because anyone in your shoes would feel horrible after what you had to go through.' Sakura's letter read. But that was the first paragraph. There was more.

'Even so, no matter what. I'll believe in you. You may not believe that because I never got the chance to say I'm sorry for the other day. I was just scared that you were going to die to that 'bear.' I didn't want anything bad to happen to you. Because the truth is you are someone really important to me. You've treated me better than anyone else ever has. You take the time to listen to me even though I'm kind of weird. Even still, you show me nothing but kindness. And that's why I…' I continued to read as tears fell from my eyes and stained the paper. And then…

'… I love you. I love you so much. If you don't believe me, that's okay. If you don't feel the same way, that's okay too. But it's because I love you that I'll always be on your side no matter what. Even if it means everyone hates me too. So, please hang in there. I don't want to see someone that I love so sad. It breaks my heart. I hope to see you at school tomorrow. From, Airi Sakura.' After finishing reading the letter, it fell out of my hands, I crumbled to the ground. I then put my hands over my face before projectile vomiting all over the floor. Sakura is in love with me…

… And I hurt her. I can't ever show myself to her again. I can't ever go back to school again. From now on…

… I'll be alone forevermore.

But alas that wouldn't happen, as I would be roped into a conflict soon enough. One that would result in a day much worse than this one. A day that would become the single worst day of my life.

"The time for your turn is finally coming… my High-End." Doctor Garaki whispered like a mother soothing her baby as he stared at a particular test chamber that contained the most powerful of his High-End Nomus. The same one that was designed to be the reincarnation of the High-End Nomu: Hood. And that same Nomu opened its eyes before grinning sadistically.

And that day was far closer than I would ever expect it to be.

To Be Continued…

Next Chapter: High-End Part 1: The Point of No Return

Go Beyond!

Plus Ultra!