Deku of the Elite

by Ren Gardner

Izuku Midoriya finds himself in a world that is completely unlike the one he came from. A world where people scheme and manipulate others for power and the 'heroes' have no right to call themselves that. This is a story about a young man learning to become a hero in a harsh and unforgiving world. AU Fic: MHA x CotE x The Boys *New chapters every Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday night!

31. Chapter 30

Chapter 30: Super! Special! Fun! Beach Episode!

"… Haah!" I let out a yawn while extending my arms upward. I just woke up from a pleasant night of sleeping as the new day had begun for me! However, it wasn't just any normal day. No. Today was special! After all, today is the day-

'Same! Let's try and meet up again. By any chance are you free during summer vacation? If so, we could all go to the school pool together.' I get to go to the school pool with Ichinose! Yay! This is going to be awesome! I thought before jumping out of bed with what was certainly a gleeful look on my face. Only to realize shortly afterwards-

Hey… wait a minute. If I'm going to go to the pool with Ichinose (Karuizawa is also coming but she's not too relevant to this part.) Then that means she's going to be wearing a s-s-s- And just as I realized what was going to happen next, my face transformed into one of excitement at the prospect of being able to hang out with Ichinose outside of lunch, to one of absolute horror. I had completely forgotten what I deduced before! If we go to the pool together then she is OBVIOUSLY going to be wearing a swimsuit! How the heck am I supposed to go now?!

"On second thought, I'm going to go back to bed." I muttered before jumping back into the covers. But the literal instant I did-

'Ding!' My phone made the usual 'ding!' every time I get a text message. I scrambled for my phone that was on the dresser to the right of my bed, almost dropping it in the process, but somehow managing to grab it and turn it on. My finger darted back and forth as I contemplated checking the message knowing that if I do, I will have no choice but to go to the pool. I could pretend I'm sick. But I really didn't like lying to others. Especially people that have been so nice to me. (I.E. Ichinose) I sighed before swiping the message. And then…

'Hi Deku! Today's the day for the pool! Try to be there by ten, if possible. But if you can't make it, I understand. I hope to see you there.' Ichinose texted me. But not even a second after I read her text, another text was sent to me. This time by Karuizawa. I swiped right to see what it was.

'If you think about ditching me today at the pool, I'll make sure you regret it. So, don't be late!' Karuizawa texted me. In the meantime, I had a smile on my face as I sighed once more out of being defeated.

"… Guess I'll go then." I muttered to myself as I had no choice but to go to the pool now. I texted them back with 'Don't worry I'll be there.' Before shutting off my phone and looking at the ceiling. I might be strong, way stronger than the majority of the people in this world. (Excluding maybe one of this world's heroes or two.) But even so, I have no chance of prevailing against either Ichinose or Karuizawa.

'Man, I really can't say no to girls.' I thought to myself before leaping out of bed once more as I decided that this was no time to sulk in bed. If I'm going to die at the sight of Ichinose in swimsuit then this is simply my destiny. You know, I lived a good life. So, if this is how I die, then I accept this outcome. But as soon as I finished that thought-

'God, you're pathetic. Most guys your age would kill to see a woman they think is sexy in a skimpy bikini. You should be thrilled to see it! Especially to see a girl with that big of a rack in one.' Jokata commented as I smiled in response before saying-

"I hate you so much." I replied while maintaining my smile and closing my eyes. I then heard Jokata say 'It goes both ways, kid.' But I ignored him and pulled some clothes out of my dresser before getting undressed and dressed into new clothes. Specifically, my tracksuit (The school one) and made my way out of my apartment. It didn't take at all for me to leave the apartment complex and make it outside. Since it was still six in the morning, the sky was pitch black as the sun wouldn't be visible for another hour.

'Step. Step. Step.' However, this provided the perfect opportunity to go out on a morning jog. I always did this back in UA and that was the same for AN too. Not only does it help keep my legs in tip top shape, but I genuinely liked doing this over and over again. Even though it was a basic routine, being able to run and have the cool breeze hit me in the face is something that I'll never take for granted for as long as I live. Though you may be asking, what the heck happened back on the cruise?! And to answer your question…

… Not much happened after the fight with The Deep. That wasn't to say nothing happened, but the thing is I was asleep for it. Not long after I defeated that faker pretending to be a superhero from America, I made it back to my room and changed back into some regular clothes. And it was then that I became very dizzy and that was it. I must have blacked out because the next time I woke up was in my bed. Three whole days had passed, and I missed every last second that remained of the exam.

Regarding the results, thankfully we managed to pass. I trusted the two other guys in the group (That were also in my class, Sotomura, and Yukimura) With the information that Kei was the VIP. I also told Ichinose this because out of everyone there I easily trusted her the most. It was them who made sure we passed as a group in the end. As for the traitor, it turned out to be someone from Class D, Takuro Morishige. I know this because Yukimura was able to deduce that Morishige was the most likely candidate to be the traitor.

In the end, the only reason I passed was due to dumb luck. It was the exact same thing that happened for the exam on the island too. Sure, it wasn't as if I did nothing. But if it wasn't for the help of countless others then we all would have failed both times without a shadow of a doubt. But then again, it's always been that way for me. The only reason I got where I am now was because of the help that I received from so many people. If it wasn't for them, I would not be the man I am today.

However, it really was just luck. I can't expect to be lucky again. So, I have to try harder. I must push myself further beyond. But if I do that, then what will happen to me? The first time I used Obliterator at one hundred percent I blacked out for a few minutes. The time after that was a few days. If I do use Obliterator's full power again then I might not wake up for weeks, maybe even months. Or maybe…

… I might not wake up again. And that's the dilemma I'm in right now. I know there will be another attack. Doctor Garaki already has sent out his pawns three times now. So, it will undoubtably happen a fourth time. But that's exactly why I can't keep using one hundred percent when it will only make things worse for me in the future. For now, I've got to know my limits and not go above them. I've been practicing using Obliterator every day for the past month, and now I'm total control is just about twenty percent.

And that brings us to today, the last day of August, and also coincidently the last day of summer. The season is about to change to fall, and with that I have to face new challenges on this new journey of mine. I have made some allies, but I still do have my fair share of enemies, some of which I wasn't even aware of yet. But in spite of that I continued to run down this road both metaphorically and literally until I reached a crossroads. I didn't know whether to go left or right, or back where I came.

But I can't go back. No matter how much I want to, that's just not possible right now. So, my only choice is left or right. But how am I supposed to know which one will be the right one in the end? I don't know. So, I found myself looking at the sky for a sign. Something that will tell me which way is the right path. But I wasn't given an answer. Figures, that I have to choose for myself. I can't expect other people to make the decision for me. I must make a choice. Even a small one like this will shape what becomes of me in the future. But before I could-

'Step.' I heard a footstep as my eyes went wide. I immediately turned around only to see that there was no one around. But I could have sworn that I heard someone take a step toward me. But… I could be wrong. I just woke up not even fifteen minutes ago. I could have simply imagined it. That's what I tried to believe at the time, even though I knew something was off. Because someone was indeed there. In fact, they were not far away and were hiding behind a tree in the distance. But I didn't figure out who it was and continued my jog. All the while…

… The man named Kakeru Ryuuen stalked me.

Earlier this month…

"Ah!" Ryuuen audibly gasped after regaining consciousness. He looked all over expecting to see Izuku Midoriya somewhere, but he was no longer in plain view like he had been back then. In his place were Albert Yamada and Mio Ibuki, (Ryuuen's two most loyal henchmen and 'henchwoman.') and the scenery was completely different too. This wasn't the island but the cruise ship. Which meant that Ryuuen…

"… I… lost?" Ryuuen muttered with a look of disbelief on his face as the events of what occurred back on the island were hazy at best. He could barely remember what happened after Midoriya had charged at him. What happened after that were several images that he could barely make head or tails of. But even not knowing what were the exact events that followed, Ryuuen knew one thing without a shadow of a doubt. He was defeated.

'So, now you got my attention. I'm going to be taking this exam very seriously. Don't think you're going to beat me. You might have overcome Sakayanagi, but I won't fall so easily. So, if you even think of getting in my way…' Even though Ryuuen said this and was sure that he'd be able to prevail against someone he thought was beneath him, in the end he was defeated by that person. All of the pride that Ryuuen had built up over the course of his life was crushed to pieces in this one moment. And all he was left with…

… Was an overwhelming sense of anger. A feeling that would only be satisfied by achieving revenge on the person who defeated him. But before that, Ryuuen had to know one last thing before he went on his one-man crusade. Which was-

"What did Izuku Midoriya say after he defeated me?" Ryuuen asked but Albert remained silent as he looked toward the ground. This made Ryuuen click his tongue before he-

'BAM!' Swung his leg upward and hit Albert right on the chin! Ibuki's eyes went wide upon seeing the result. It was so quick that she didn't even see Ryuuen attack! All she saw was the aftermath! Even with her trained eyes that have glimpsed and studied countless forms of martial styles, she could not see Ryuuen's leg move until the damage had already been done. Ibuki knew that Ryuuen was stronger than her. That's why she submitted to him. But even knowing that truth, she was still so surprised that Ryuuen was able to move so quick! And so was Albert!

"Tch. My leg feels a bit stiff. I should have been able to move it faster. Oh well." Ryuuen spoke out loud while Albert and Ibuki's eyes both went wide in response to their boss's comment. But just as he stood up for the first time in half a day, he turned his attention to Albert once more. And then…

"Now… don't make me repeat myself again. Tell me what he said. NOW." Ryuuen demanded as Albert shook his head in affirmation. He then looked Ryuuen in the eye all while standing firm and composed even with the burning sensation from the blow that the latter landed onto the former until-

'He said… … I thought you'd be able to handle that- But just as Albert finished speaking-

'WHAM!' Ryuuen punched the wall behind Albert. Both Albert and Ibuki were speechless. Though it wasn't as if their boss made a crack in it. In fact, he didn't even dent it (Though that would have been a feat if he did dent it, considering the wall was made out of steel) and the result was now that his knuckles were cut and bleeding. But even in spite of that, the man named Kakeru Ryuuen accepted this pain as a consequence for losing to Izuku Midoriya and being weak. That's why he made this vow-

"… I'm going to fucking kill him." Ryuuen declared with a serious look on his face before walking away from his comrades. They protested but no matter how loud they were, Ryuuen didn't feel the same way they felt regarding him. They weren't his friends, simply tools that were expendable in the long run if it meant that he would be on top in the end. But that's exactly why he can't use them now. He must climb his way back to the top alone, even if it meant getting his hands dirty in the process.

For that reason, he had been stalking Midoriya for the past month, trying to learn if there was any way he could overcome him in a fight. However, his observations only proved one thing. That the gap between them in terms of strength was so massively large that it would be impossible to close the gap. It wasn't as if he couldn't see Deku. He could see him standing on top of a cliff and what Ryuuen was one was another cliff. But there wasn't a bridge that he was able to cross to get to him. This meant that no matter how much he tried…

… The person that Kakeru Ryuuen is right now, would never surpass Izuku Midoriya. Ryuuen knew this btu even still he found himself wanting to defeat him. But as the saying goes, 'Where there is a will, there is a way.' And it wouldn't be much longer…

… Until that 'way' became clear to Ryuuen.

'Clink.' I opened the door to my apartment while entering it and closing the door behind me. I was sweating and had to take a shower. So, I got undressed before making my way to the bathroom. But it was then that my eyes shot wide open upon seeing myself in the mirror. It was then that I realized that my… my hair… was…

"… It's back… MY HAIR IS BACK BABY! WAHOO!" I muttered before shouting at the top of my lungs with a look of pure bliss on my face. I couldn't help it, for the past few months that I've been here in this world, I had been left with a partly shaved head. I didn't know why or how my hair was like that. And I spent many days sulking about what I had lost. Unbeknownst to me, the reason why my head had been partially shaved until now was because Doctor Garaki had gone out of his way to keep it that way in an attempt to mess with me.

But that didn't matter anymore because after all this time my hair was back! Finally, I once again have a full head of hair! Can this day get any better than this!? But as I thought that with what was undoubtably a smile on my face, while showering, it wouldn't be long at all until I found that…

… I couldn't be more wrong.

'What the hell is this?' I thought internally with a speechless look on my face and a nervous smile as no matter where I looked, every single girl around me, was wearing-

'Why?! Why ALL of them?!' I screamed internally as every single girl in view was wearing a bikini! How is this possible!? I remember way back at UA when me and the guys went swimming and the girls joined us. They were all wearing school swimsuits! Sure, they didn't hide everything but AT LEAST they weren't this risqué! This is wrong. I can't be looking at this! I feel so ashamed to be looking at all of these girls when they are barely wearing ANYTHING at all! Also how are there so many people here?! I thought this was going to be just a few people! But for some reason it looks like most of the freshmen are here! Why?! This place is-

'It's paradise.' Jokata commented internally with what was undoubtably a massive grin on his face much to my annoyance as my eyes began twitching out of anger.

'I swear to God if I hear another word from yo- I replied internally but I was cut off before I could finish by-

"Oh, there you are! Did you even get any of my texts?! I know you saw them because you put me on read! What's the big idea, Midoriya?!" Karuizawa spoke with an annoyed tone of voice. But I already knew what I was going to see if I looked behind me, so I-

"Oh, hey Karuizawa. You look great." I replied while staring off into the distance.

"Uh, how could you say that without even looking at me?" Karuizawa asked with a befuddled look on her face. But in response I avoided eye contact while looking at the beautiful bright blue sky above me. If only I could look at this all day.

"I-I just know. I mean you're naturally beautiful so I'm sure you'd look good in anything." I replied but what occurred afterward was an awkward silence that persisted for a few seconds until-

"Define… anything?" Karuizawa asked while my eyes shot wide open in response. No. I'm not letting her get the wrong idea.

"I swear to God, I'm NOT hitting on yo- I replied while turning around to look at Karuizawa but in the process I noticed what she was wearing. It was a red two-piece bikini that made my eyes go wide upon looking at it. Karuizawa looked at me with a confused look on her face while her face said 'What?' without her having to say it. But in the midst of that I blushed bright red. Karuizawa noticed this, and a smug smile formed on her face. I didn't like that look. Not one bit.

"Oh, I get it. How could I have not noticed it before? Now, everything makes perfect sense. You are…" Karuizawa replied while walking over to me while swaying her ships in a seductive manner, but she stopped speaking just as she was about to finish before reaching me. And when she did, she-

"… Embarrassed." Karuizawa finished as she a finger on her chin with a truly diabolical smile on her face. It was then that my nightmare came true because she was the LAST person that I ever wanted to know how I felt in this situation. But I wouldn't be able to lie or bluff my way out of this one. So, I shrugged my shoulders in defeat.

"So, what if I am." I muttered while averting my gaze from Karuizawa's 'womanly features.' But this only made her grin wider as she enjoyed seeing the look on my face right now. (Even though I wasn't looking at her, I just knew this was happening.) In response Karuizawa giggled. I didn't know what she was thinking. So, unbeknownst to me-

'Wow. I did not expect that kind of reaction. Most other guys would be hitting on me, or at least gawking at how beautiful I am. But he's too embarrassed to even look in my direction. It's kind of cute. If I wasn't in a 'relationship' with Hirata I probably would tease him even more. But alas, I'm someone's 'girlfriend.' Such a shame.' Karuizawa thought internally with a smirk on her face but just as she thought about her 'boyfriend-

"Hey Midoriya. You aren't hitting on my girlfriend, are you?" Hirata asked with his usual smile. But even though I knew that my eyes shot wide open. Karuizawa noticed that and smiled before saying 'Well, are you?' But in response I-

"… I'm not." I admitted with a serious look on my face while avoiding looking at Karuizawa even for a second and choosing to look at Hirata. But his eyes went wide after noticing the look on my face.

"You don't need to look so serious. I'm just messing with you." Hirata replied while awkwardly laughing in response. But after looking at him I was finally able to calm my nerves. That's right! All I must do is look at him or any of the guys and I can survive this hellscape! I just have to focus on anything BUT the girls here and I'll be ok! Yes! This can work! I must, oh look there's Sudo. I thought internally before noticing the red head himself. I waved at him as he noticed before nodding.

"Sup didn't expect to see you here, Midoriya." Sudo spoke before glancing at the two other people near me. In the midst of that, Hirata complemented Karuizawa on her swimsuit. But much to her surprise, Sudo didn't say anything to her.

"So, when's Horikita gonna show up?" Sudo whispered into my ear. At first, I was confused by this. But it didn't take me long to remember that Sudo has a crush on her. Though unfortunately for him-

"Sorry. But she's not going to come. I told her about the plans, but she said that she already had plans that she couldn't get out of." I replied much to Sudo's disappointment as he replied with a 'I see.' But that wasn't all. Lately, I haven't seen much of Horikita. Sure, it was summer break, but something seemed… off. But I couldn't put my finger on it. Perhaps it's just my imagination. But before I could contemplate the thought any further-

"Um, aren't you going to say anything?" Karuizawa asked as my thought process was broken. But to my surprise she wasn't talking to me. Instead, she focused her attention on Sudo. But Sudo looked back at her with a blank look on his face, before saying-

"Not my type." Sudo replied bluntly to Karuizawa's utmost surprise as her eyes shot wide open. Once again, I could tell what she was thinking. So, unbeknownst to me-

'Okay, this guy is on my shit list now.' Karuizawa thought internally with a fake smile on her face as she was now pissed off. But in contrast-

"Hahaha." I laughed quietly at what Sudo said but Karuizawa picked up on that and put her hand behind my back while pinching me aggressively.

"Hey, Deku. What's so funny? HUH?" Karuizawa asked while maintaining her fake smile and digging her nails into my back. Though it hurt a bit, my back was protected since I was still wearing my shirt. Sudo noticed this.

"Dude, you know you could take off your shirt now, right?" Sudo asked while my eyes went wide upon realizing that I still had my shirt on.

"Oh yeah, right. Thanks for reminding me." I replied before taking my shirt off in front of them. And much to my surprise they all looked at me as if I had something on me. I tilted my head out of confusion.

"What? … Do I have something on me?" I asked while looking at my chest, but it looked like how it always looked. So, I didn't understand why they were all staring at me. To be honest, the excessive staring was kind of making me embarrassed. But before I could say another word-

"What- Hirata said.

"The- Karuizawa spoke.

"HELL?! YOU'RE FUCKIN JACKED!" Sudo exclaimed at the top of his lungs which made everyone look at me. I noticed all the stares and only got more embarrassed as a result of them. Though unbeknownst to me, the guys in the distance collectively thought 'Holy shit.' While the girls continued to look at me all the while their faces became bright red. What the?! What the heck did I do to deserve this treatment?! I ignored them and looked back at Karuizawa, Sudo, and Hirata who were still staring at me for some reason. But before I could say another word, I felt someone tap me on the shoulder.

"Nice." Koenji said with a smile on his face before walking away. Ok that was kind of random. But seriously what has everyone so worked up all of a sudden?! But just as I was trying to find a logical answer to this perplexing question-

"Um, Midoriya, how did you get all those muscles?" Hirata asked with a nervous smile on his face while I looked at my chest before looking back at him and said-

"I just cleaned up some trash at the beach." I admitted while recalling the nightmarish training of having to clean up an entire beach covered with trash and even worse having to carry All Might on my back. I'll never forget those eight months of training before the entrance exam at UA for those reasons. But they weren't convinced. And unbeknownst to me-

'There's no fucking way.' Karuizawa thought internally with a dumbfounded look on her face as she couldn't help but admire my physique. She genuinely couldn't believe what she was looking at. But obviously she wasn't alone in having this mindset.

"No, really. Tell us how you got the bod, dude." Sudo asked but I tilted my head out of confusion because I already told him the truth. I mean is my body really that impressive? I don't really think so. After all-

"I'm telling you the truth. But it's not that impressive. In fact, a lot of my friends from my old school had the same physique. Some even had way more muscles than I do." I admitted while recalling several examples of this. The former, being Kacchan and Todoroki. While the latter, there were Sato from Class 1-A (Sugarman was way bigger than me) Togata's body was also more impressive than mine. And of course, the obvious example being All Might which I'll never ever come close to emulating in terms of our physiques. (At his peak his body is literally more than triple my size.) But even though I genuinely didn't think much admitting this fact-

"THEY DO?!" The girls collectively shouted at the top of their lungs which almost made me jump out of my skin. Oh crap! This is a lot more attention than I'd ever thought I'd be getting as 'Izuku Midoriya.' Someone! Anyone! Take all of this attention away from me! I REALLY don't want it! But as if God had answered my prayers-

"Hey, Deku! I finally found you!" I heard what was undoubtably the voice of Ichinose as I breathed a sigh in relief. However, I had let down all of my defenses as I looked her way. This was the biggest mistake I could have made because upon noticing her, my eyes shot wide open. It was then that I saw that she was wearing a two-piece swimsuit (Much like Karuizawa and the rest of the girls here.) that had a flower pattern on them. But there are two key differences here. I'll let you come to that answer because I'm sure as hell not elaborating any further. But then…

'Haah.' I let out a sigh of relief internally while noticing a bright white light. Yep. It's time. The time has come for me to accept my fate. I then proceeded to lose my balance and fall at last. I'm a failure. After all that hard work. I'm sorry All Might. I'm sorry mom. God, I've been falling for a long time-

'Splash!' And before I knew it, I fell into the pool much to the utmost surprise of everyone around me.

"Holy shit! He fell into the pool!" Sudo exclaimed with a genuinely shocked look on his face. But while everyone was understandably surprised, this was the case for me too. I completely forgot that the pool was right next to me! Talk about convenient! If that wasn't there who knows what could have happened to me!? Not only that but I was already wearing my trunks, so I didn't need to change out of anything, so I felt very comfortable. But then I had the sudden realization that my phone was still in my pocket. But just as I grabbed it out-

"Oh phew! It's waterproof!" I exclaimed with a look of relief on my face as I realized that my phone was perfectly fine.

"YOU JUST REALIZED THAT?!" A bunch of people commented at the top of their lungs much to my utmost surprise. But if I thought I was surprised now-

"Hey Midoriya. I left my phone back at my place. Mind if I borrow your phone for a sec?" Kushida asked with was certainly a smile on her face as she was right behind me in the pool. But even though she was way WAY too close to the point that I could feel things I should NOT be feeling on my back, I was more surprised that-

'OH MY GOD! WHERE THE HECK DID, SHE COME FROM?!' I screamed internally while my jaw dropped to the bottom of the pool and in the process, I let go of my phone. Kushida then snatched it just before it hit the water.

"Kay, thanks!" Kushida replied as she must have thought that it was okay for her to use my phone. (Even though I didn't give her permission to use it, but whatever.) But after the span of roughly fifteen second-

"There all done. Thanks again, Midoriya!" Kushida finished while handing me back my phone as I remembered that she had a knack for somehow sneaking up behind me. But if she keeps doing that, I'm going to have a heart attack! I was too distracted by my excessively beating heart that I wasn't paying attention to my surroundings. So, unbeknownst to me, a particular person's phone made a 'ding!' And that person's phone belonged to none other than Kei Karuizawa. She then grabbed out her phone (That she had been holding this whole time) as she checked who just texted her. But when she did her eyes went wide. And Hirata noticed this.

"Kei. You, okay?" Hirata asked with a look of concern on his face but noticing this Karuizawa quickly regained her composure before saying that 'I'm fine.' With her usual fake smile. Because what she just said couldn't be further from the truth. However, I didn't know that at the time. It would be a while before I learned the other side of the story. But in contrast…

… It wouldn't be long until the 'results' of this became clear to me. But before that something else became all too clear to me. And that was-

'Splash!' The sound of splashing water as something or someone landed right next to me which almost made me jump out of my skin. But I realized who it was quickly after she came up from the water to catch her breath. It was Ichinose.

"You suddenly fell into the pool! Are you alright, Deku?" Ichinose asked while getting up close and personal to check if I had any injuries. But all I could think in the midst of that was that she was-

'T-T-TOO CLOSE!' I screamed internally as two certain things that all women have brushed up against my arm as I became as bright red as a tomato. But before I knew it, I felt Ichinose put her hand on my chest. And then…

"Wow! You're really muscular!" Ichinose exclaimed with a bright smile on her face as my mind replayed her calling me 'muscular' on repeat until I-

'WHOOOSH!' I swam away from her as fast as I could to hide my embarrassment! All the while I heard her say 'Deku?!' But I ignored her. Not that I wanted too but I didn't have a choice in the matter! If I stayed there who knows what would have happened?! She's just too damn beautiful for her own good! But since I was swimming with no clear goal in mind, other than just getting away from Ichinose as fast as humanly possible, I didn't notice that there was a person in my path and before I knew it-

"KYAAAH!" The person who was clearly a young woman screamed. But wait a second, I know that high pitched squeal! That is-

"S-S-Sakura?! What are you doing here?!" I asked with a dumbfounded look on my face while she too had a similar look as well. But in the process, I noticed her appearance and saw that she was wearing…

… A perfectly regular school swimsuit.

"That looks good on you!" I replied with a smile while giving her a thumbs up. But what I was really thinking was that, oh thank God a normal swimsuit! Why can't more girls be like Sakura and not wear such erotic articles of clothing?! But whatever! I'll gladly take this! Now I don't feel ashamed cause she doesn't look like she's almost naked! But as I was thinking that I didn't notice two things. First was that Sakura was blushing bright red while thinking-

'H-H-HE LIKES IT?!' Sakura screamed internally while her face resembled a tomato. But I noticed this, and she too saw that I was looking at her. But in that instant, Sakura shook her head before smiling back at me and saying 'Thanks!' As for the second thing, that was the fact that there was Ichinose standing not too far behind me. She witnessed and heard what I said.

'Deku gave her a compliment… but not me?' Ichinose thought internally with a look of disappointment on her face. But before she could say anything, nor anyone else for that matter-

"CANNNONBALL!" Sudo shouted at the top of his lungs before jumping into the pool with a huge-

'SPLASH!' That sent a wave of water into the air before landing onto me and Sakura. We blinked our eyes in surprise before seeing Sudo rise up from the water and laughing excitedly with a grin on his face.

"Man, nothing beats jumpin into the pool! AHAHAHA!" Sudo exclaimed before laughing boisterously. But since me and Sakura were splashed by the water this meant that the person who was closer to him was utterly engulfed by it. That person being Ichinose of course.

"Hmph!" Ichinose made a sound of annoyance as she pouted knowing full well that she was utterly drenched from head to toe. But while this was all going on, Hirata and Karuizawa were watching. Hirata had a mischievous smile on his face before turning to face his 'girlfriend.' But before she could say another word-

"Ladies first!" Hirata said before pushing Karuizawa into the pool much to her displeasure. She then came up for air while being soaked by the water. It didn't take her long for her notice Hirata laughing at her, this made her glare daggers at him before-

"Then how about you come and join me, Yosuke!" Karuizawa snapped back before pulling her 'boyfriend' into the pool with her by grabbing his leg.

"Gah!" Hirata yelled out of sheer surprise before being drenched with pool water. But this only made him laugh as it quickly grew infectious as before, I knew it all of us were laughing and having a good time with each other.

And before I knew it, time passed by until day became night, and it was time for everyone to go home. I said bye to the others before making my way out of the school pool area. So, I didn't notice that two people were still there. Both of which I knew but didn't know all that much about in the sense of what exactly made them the people they are today. Those people were Kei Karuizawa and Kikyo Kushida. The former was glaring daggers at the latter. In response, knowing that the both of them were alone, a smirk formed on her face, much to Karuizawa's surprise.

"What the hell is this about?" Karuizawa said before showcasing the texts she received from Midoriya. However, she knew this was false. And that the one who sent her these 'texts' was Kushida. She knew this because she overheard Kushida borrowing Deku's phone. And it didn't take a rocket scientist to realize who really sent those texts. But what alluded her was 'why?' Kushida noticed this as she let her true colors show.

"I think you and I both know where this is going. But if you're too stupid to face reality, then let me crystal clear with you. You are going to comply and accept that Izuku Midoriya sent those texts to you. If you do, then everything will be just fine. If you don't…" Kushida spoke before pausing for a few seconds as she closed the distance between her and Karuizawa. And then…

"… I'll tell everyone about your past." Kushida admitted while Karuizawa's eyes shot wide open. Kei couldn't believe what she just heard. It was impossible. NO ONE knew her past here! She had kept that under lock and key! There was no way that Kushida of all people was aware of it! They didn't even go to the same middle school! That means this has to be a bluff! A calculated move to get her to do what she wishes. That's why she's not going to accept this! She's way smarter than Kushida gave her credit for! But just as she thought this-

"If you honestly think Kikyo Kushida is lying then you're sadly mistaken." A voice that Karuizawa had not heard before became audible. Kei gasped out of sheer surprise. But that didn't last long as her surprise was quickly replaced by anger.

"And who the hell are you?!" Karuizawa snapped back as the other person on the line, let out a 'Fufufu!' in response before continuing.

"My identity is of no concern to you. All you have to do is what Kikyo Kushida says. And if you don't then everyone will be aware of how you were bullied endlessly by your peers until you decided to- The voice on the other line that belonged to none other than Arisu Sakayanagi spoke before being ruthlessly cut off just before she could finish by Karuizawa.

"DON'T YOU DARE SAY ANOTHER WORD!" Karuizawa snapped back at the top of her lungs as she let her emotions regarding her harsh and unforgiving past get the better of her. But this unknown individual's response made everything crystal clear to her. This girl on the other end of the line, whoever she is, is aware of her past. Somehow, she learned of it. Karuizawa didn't know how that was possible but that didn't matter. What mattered to her was that if word got out of what happened to her then she would never hear the end of it. Everything that she had worked to achieve, in this new life she created for herself, it would all…

… Have been for absolutely nothing. That's why she had no choice but to-

"… I'll do it." Karuizawa finished as she fell to her knees while tears slid down her cheeks. She didn't want to do what was being requested of her to do. Because by the end of it, instead of her reputation being destroyed it would be Midoriya's reputation that would be tarnished in its place. But she didn't want that, especially after what Deku did for her. Izuku Midoriya might not have been a person that she could call a friend, but he was someone that she trusted. He placed his trust in her…

… And now what was about to happen was that trust being shattered into a million pieces. But even though Karuizawa was crying, Kushida on the other hand was smirking out of delight knowing full well what was about to unfold. And so was Sakayanagi as well. Because what was about to happen tomorrow…

… Would spell the end for Izuku Midoriya's carefree life.

To Be Continued…

Next Chapter: Betrayal and Confession

Go Beyond!

Plus Ultra!