Chapter 4: A Beautiful Girl?! Honami Ichinose Appears!
'DONG!' The bell rang signaling the end of the period. While this would usually mean the beginning of a new one, in this case it was time for lunch. As the bell continued to ring my classmates formed into their own separate cliques. And since I had only just become acquainted with my fellow classmates this meant that I was the odd one left out. Or at least I should have been but to my utmost surprise, Horikita was alone as well as she grabbed her bag and was about to leave. But before she could-
"Horikita! Want to have lunch together?" I asked with a smile on my face as she had become the person, I felt most comfortable around. Out of all the students, no. Out of everyone in 'this world' I felt like I could genuinely trust her.
'Hmph. Being a good person won't get you anywhere in this school. Be ready to face some vultures who will be ready to rip you in two for being a 'good person.'" Sure, she could be a bit aloof. But even still-
'… Thanks for saving me. I appreciate it.' The girl named Suzune Horikita was a good person. That's what I was sure of. Oh crap, that reminds me! I still got to watch out for those vultures! (He still didn't understand the meaning behind what Horikita meant by 'vultures' just yet)
"…" Suzune didn't say a word as she pondered my invitation with a blank look on her face. Oh crap! Did I make her mad?! Was I being too forward?! Yeah, probably! What I said could be inferred as a date! Did she think I was hitting on her again?! Damn it! How the heck am I supposed to explain that I want to just eat lunch with her in a casual way that doesn't sound really creepy?! Think Izuku! THINK! But before I could say another word-
"… Sure. Why not." Suzune replied in her usual monotone voice as she walked out of the classroom while I was left speechless near our seats.
"You coming or what?" Suzune asked as she peeked her head back into the classroom with an annoyed look on her face. Upon hearing her words, I nearly jumped out of my skin as I grabbed my backpack and bolted out of the classroom in 0.0000000000001 seconds.
"I'M HERE!" I shouted at the top of my lungs with a face that was unintentionally like All Might's face to Horikita.
"Jeez you don't need to scream. Also don't announce yourself. And quit it with the face, its creepy." Suzune replied as I felt myself being pierced by her words as if they were arrows.
"S-Sorry." I muttered with what was surely an embarrassed look on my face while touching my index fingers together and averting my gaze.
"You don't need to be sorry. Also try talking a bit more normally. You don't want more people like Sudo-Kun scolding you, right?" Suzune replied as she began making her way to the cafeteria. I smiled at her upon hearing her words. Yeah. I really think I can count on her.
"Right!" I replied as I followed after her.
"Still a bit too loud." Suzune replied as we made our way to the cafeteria. Upon entering it I noticed that it was fairly standard for a school to have and not too different from the one at UA. However, upon looking at the menu my jaw dropped to the floor.
"K-K-KAISEKI RYORI?! ISN'T THAT INSANELY EXPENSIVE?!" I yelled at the top of my lungs as my eyes bulged out. I heard of Kaiseki Ryori! It's a multi course meal that only uses the finest ingredients and is considered to be the epitome of fine dining in all of Japan! Not only that but it's notoriously expensive! I never once was able to eat one considering the lack of funds my mom earned at her job. I also didn't earn any money during my enrollment at UA, not that I wanted the money, it's just that I didn't have much money to purchase pretty much anything. Thank God for free lunch.
"You're being loud again, Midoriya-San. Also, if you really want it, just go buy it." Horikita replied as I only then realized I said exactly what I was thinking again.
"Sorry… I'm broke." I replied with a face that was undoubtedly full of shame as I had no money on me to buy such a lavish meal. And even if I did it wouldn't be nearly enough to buy something so prestigious. I had a bit of money that my mom had given to me in my wallet, but I had already used every last cent to buy that cup ramen and those materials to remake my All Might posters from the other night. Guess, I'll starve.
"You don't need to look so depressed. If you need me to lend you some points, just say so." Horikita spoke as I felt even worse about myself that I would have to borrow money from someone else. Especially considering it's been only a few hours since Horikita stood up for me. Man, I'm really going to owe her big time-
"Points? … What are those?" I unintentionally said what was on my mind again as Horikita did a double take.
"Y-You seriously don't know what 'points' are?! … Oh… right. Now that I think about it you did miss the very first class, where Professor Chabashira explained the 'Point System.' I understand. Let me explain things for you. First, take out your student id." Suzune asked as she was genuinely surprised at first but regained her composure relatively quickly after assessing the situation. That's right. If I remember correctly there was a student id within the stack of assignments that Horikita left near my room. I brought it with me today just in case I needed it.
"This right?" I asked as I grabbed the student id out of my wallet that had my name and my face on it. I was smiling in the photo. However, I don't recall ever taking such a photo. Could it have been during the interval of time that I left 'my world' and entered 'this world?' That was the only possible explanation but that didn't help make me any less confused.
In fact, who exactly enrolled me into AN? I could only deduce that it was Doctor Garaki. The same man who had created the Nomu and undoubtably masterminded the scheme behind All Might's death and my arrival into 'this world.' But that alone raises plenty of questions. First of all, how could Garaki have enrolled me into AN when he is also an 'outsider' like me?
The only thing that makes senses to me is that he must have acquired a position within in this school that would allow him to do something as crazy as enroll a person who had never previously existed in 'this world' into AN. If I think about it that way, then Doctor Garaki must hold a position of power within this school. Somewhere he is lurking within this school. But where? I'm still in the dark about so many things so it would be way too risky to attempt to pursue him just yet. I've got to lie low and pretend to be an average student when I'm anything but that.
But then again, why would he enroll me into AN in the first place? He had me completely and utterly cornered. He could have had his Nomu, the same one that murdered All Might, kill me right then and there. But he didn't. In fact, he went to the trouble of giving me an entirely new life. There's no way it was out of the kindness of his heart. After all, Doctor Garaki is a psychotic murderer who is all things considered just as evil as All For One. But then why? What exactly is Garaki's endgame by doing all of th-
'Snap.' A pair of fingers snapped right in front of me as my thought process was broken and I was brought back to reality.
"Midoriya-San? Are you listening to me?" Suzune asked with a blank look on her face my body jerked upward upon hearing her words.
"S-Sorry. I zoned out." I replied with what was surely an embarrassed look on my face. Damn it. I was in such deep thought that I completely ignored her. I'll think more about all that later. First things first, I'll continue to play the role of 'Izuku Midoriya' for the time being. After that, I'll start planning my next move.
"It's ok. Just listen up alright. The student id you have in your hands is not just your identification. It also works as a credit card where you have funds within it that you can use to buy something. These funds are called 'points.' Each student, to my knowledge, is given one hundred thousand points at the start of the month and it only refills after an entire thirty days pass by. That basically sums it up." Suzune explained in a simple and straightforward way that I could understand completely.
"I see. So, with these points we are able to purchase basic necessities such as food and water along with a few accessories here and there. But a hundred thousand seems like a lot. Even still, I should make sure I divide up the points that I use each day so that I would be able to purchase basic necessities every day. One hundred thousand divided by thirty is 3.333333333333333. So, I would only be able to use a little over three thousand points at most every day. That doesn't go without mentioning that some things will naturally be more expensive than other things, so I really have to watch out for what I buy so I don't end up going broke ag- I muttered out loud until I was interrupted.
"Stop muttering like that. It's creeping me out." Suzune replied with a bit of annoyance in her voice as I clamped my mouth shut upon hearing her words.
"Sorry about that. Hahaha." I replied with an awkward laugh.
"Enough with saying sorry. Instead say thank you." Suzune replied as I realized that I said sorry four times. Not only that but I had said sorry a total of three times after she told me not to say sorry. She's right. That's way too much apologizing.
"So-I mean… thank you, Horikita." I almost replied with a 'sorry' out of a force of habit. But I stopped myself just in time and changed my reply as I smiled at her. She nodded her head in response. Wait… now that I think about it, I haven't used any points for an entire week, which means I could use a little over twenty-six thousand points right now and be just fine, I think.
"Mind if I check the price tag for the Kaiseki Ryori?" I asked as my stomach rumbled as I suddenly felt incredibly hungry.
"Sure. Go knock yourself out. I'll buy some food too." Horikita replied nonchalantly.
"Awesome! Let's meet back up at that empty table over there." I spoke as I pointed toward an empty booth that looked like a nice place to sit down and eat.
"Sounds like a plan. See you in a bit." Horikita replied as she went to another part of the cafeteria to order some food. I then made my way toward the counter where a young waitress was standing near ready to take orders.
"Good afternoon. May I take your order?" The waitress asked with a pleasant look on her face.
"Good afternoon! Just curious how much mo-I mean points does it cost to buy the Kaiseki Ryori?" I asked.
'Please be lower than twenty-six thousand points. Please be lower than twenty-six thousand points. Please be lower than twenty-six thousand points. Please be lower than twenty-six thousand points. Please be lower than twenty-six thousand points.' I thought internally over and over again.
"Let's see… it's twenty-five thousand po- The waitress replied but I cut her off before she could finish speaking.
"I'll take it!" I yelled out with a smile on my face as I handed her my student id. She was caught off guard by the suddenness of my decision but upon hearing that the price for the meal was within my budget I knew I just had to have it! The waitress then rang up my student id as twenty-five thousand points vanished without a trace. Not long after that my meal was served to me on a silver platter.
'Yeah. Worth every point.' I thought internally with what was surely a smile on my face as I marveled at the delicious food in my hands. The Kaiseki Ryori consisted of thirteen plates full of all kinds of food such as but not limited to: sushi, sashimi, vegetables served with meat, fish, and tofu, as well as soup, pickles, rice and fruits as a dessert. Oh boy, my tummy was aching for some food. I couldn't really blame it since all I had in the past week was a single cup of ramen and that did very little to quell my stomach that was practically begging for nourishment.
'Well, guess I have no choice but to eat, eat, and eat some more. Hahaha!' I thought internally as if I was on cloud nine without a care in the world. However, it was exactly because of my carefree attitude that I ended up bumping into someone that I had never met before up to this point in time.
"Kyaaah!" The voice of a girl screamed as I literally bumped into her as my eyes shot wide open upon hearing her scream. My eyes assessed the situation in nanoseconds. A girl right in front of me was about to fall.
'I can't-no! I refuse to let that happen!' I declared internally as I threw my plate full of food into the air as I moved my right foot forward and wrapped my left arm around her waist to catch her before she could fall to the floor! In that small interval of time, roughly a second, my food fell back to the earth due to the laws of gravity demanding it.
'Crack! Crack! Crack! Crack! Crack! Crack! Crack! Crack! Crack! Crack! Crack! Crack! Crack' Each of the dishes of food that I had bought, twenty-five thousand worth of points had just gone down the drain. But that didn't matter to me in the slightest. What mattered was that this girl didn't hurt herself due to my recklessness.
"Are you ok?" I asked with a smile on my face as I noticed her appearance. She had strawberry-blonde hair that reached all the way to her waist and blue eyes. She was definitely very beautiful to look at and had more attractive features about her, but I chose to avert my eyes from them and look into her blue eyes as I wanted to know for sure that she was alright.
"…" The girl didn't say a word as she was utterly speechless as she stared back into my eyes with flushed cheeks. Oh crap! W-Was she embarrassed?! I mean who wouldn't be after some rando came in and almost knocked you off your feet! And now to make matters worse I'm holding her so close to me to the point that our shoulders are touching!
"I'M SO SORRY! I DIDN'T MEAN TO BUMP INTO YOU LIKE THAT! PLEASE FORGIVE ME FOR BEING SO CARELESS!" I shouted at the top of my lungs as I helped her stand back up onto her two feet before bowing toward her. I couldn't see the look on her face as my eyes were closed and facing the floor out of shame for my actions, so I didn't notice her surprised look soften into a smile.
"It's fine. Don't be sorry. You really helped me out there." The girl spoke in a very gentle tone of voice as just hearing it made me regain my composure. I then looked up and noticed her smile as she extended her left hand toward me while using her right hand to move her bangs behind her ear.
"It was nothing." I replied as I instinctively grasped her hand as I moved my body upward. But in response she shook her head side to side to indicate that she disagreed with me.
"It wasn't nothing. You saved me. Thank you. I really appreciate your kindness." The girl replied as she closed her eyes with a bright smile on my face as I could feel my cheeks flushing. Yeah. I was definitely as red as a tomato. But who could blame me after hearing something so genuinely nice. I lost track of time as all I could do was be entranced by the look on her face that reminded of me Uraraka until-
"Ahem." Someone familiar coughed as it didn't take me long to realize that it was none other than Horikita.
"H-Horikita?! W-When did you get here?!" I asked while stuttering out of embarrassment.
"The part where you carelessly bumped into her and ended up dropping all of your food onto the floor." Horikita replied as she crossed her arms with a hint of annoyance in her voice. Ah. So, she saw everything. Perfect.
"Care to introduce me to your new friend?" Suzune asked with an unamused look on her face as only then did I realize I was still holding her hand. I instantly let go of it, not a moment later.
"F-Friend?! I-I only just met her! I-In fact I-I don't even know her n-name!" I yelled out as my face was definitely still as red as a tomato. That's right! I don't even know her name! So why the heck am I getting embarrassed?! I have plenty of girlfriends-
'I MEAN FRIENDS THAT ARE GIRLS! WHAT MAKES HER ANY DIFFERENT?!' I thought internally but before I could finish that thought-
"Honami Ichinose. It's a pleasure to meet you at last Suzune Horikita. And you must be Izuku Midoriya. Thanks again for saving me. You are really awesome!" The girl named Honami Ichinose spoke with her soothing voice as she properly introduced herself to Horikita before turning her attention to me. Wait a second. Did she just call me a-a-a-
'AWESOME?! A GIRL CALLED ME AWESOME! WAHOO!' I thought internally with a smile on my face as I could barely contain my excitement over being called awesome by a girl! Especially someone as beautiful as Ichinose-San! God, I love my life!
"Oh, that's right! You dropped your food onto the floor because of me! Wait here! I'll buy you another plate! It was the Kaiseki Ryori, right?" Ichinose asked as she walked toward the counter before tilting her head to the side to see the look on my face so that she could decipher whether she was correct or not. And I was practically an open book, so she flashed me a smile before ordering. I couldn't help but stare back at her with what was probably a goofy smile on my face.
"Hey. You do know who that girl is right?" Suzune asked as she grabbed the sleeve of my blazer in order to grab my attention both metaphorically and literally in this case.
"Yeah. Her name is Honami Ichinose. Isn't she wonderful?" I replied while continuing to look at her as she greeted the waitress with a beautiful smile on her face.
"Yeah. But that's obvious. What I meant was you do know that she's the class rep for Class B… right?" Suzune asked with an annoyed look on her face, but I didn't know because I was still staring at Ichinose-San.
"Nope." I replied as silence passed by for a few more seconds until I realized that I must have said something wrong.
"… Is that a problem? So, what if she's part of Class B?" I asked with a curious look on my face but before I could get an answer from Horikita-
"One order of delicious Kaiseki Ryori, Midoriya-San!" Ichinose spoke with her signature beautiful smile as I kept looking back and forth between the food on the plate and her face as I genuinely couldn't figure out what was more beautiful to look at.
"Thanks, Ichinose!" I replied with a smile of my own as I took the plate full of delicious looking food into my hands. I was genuinely happy that I'd end up being able to eat such a delicious meal in my lifetime.
"You're welcome. Say about we eat together?" Ichinose asked.
"Sure! I'd love too! Is that fine with you Hori- I spoke only to stop talking mid-sentence as I noticed that Suzune had vanished from her spot next to me. I then looked all around the cafeteria only to notice her sitting at the empty booth I picked out all by herself. Oh crap. D-Did make her mad?! I should properly explain myself to her. But as I made my way toward the booth-
"Watch it." Someone unfamiliar spoke with words that weren't Japanese. No! They were English! I was so surprised by this that I was caught off guard as not even a second later-
'Bam!' He bumped into me as I spun out of control while my food went into the air! Oh crap! Not again! I thought internally as I just barely managed to catch all of the food back onto the small dishes they were on and back onto the silver plate with quick reflexes!
'Phew! That was way too close!' I thought internally as I almost ended up wasting the Kaiseki Ryori again and even worse Ichinose's points that she wasted on me! But thankfully due to my training at UA to become a Pro Hero I had reflexes that were even faster than a cat! (Most of the time.) Speaking of which, just who was that gu-WAIT, WHAT?!
'H-H-HE'S HUGE!' I screamed internally as my eyes bulged out at the man I was looking at. The man appeared to be African American and wore a pair of black sunglasses. (Even though we were indoors) Not only was he quite different looking in comparison to my classmates and everyone else that I had come across here so far, but he was also incredibly tall, well over six feet tall and even taller than both Horikita's brother and that bald guy who was with Sakayanagi! (Katsuragi) He was like a human mountain! As well as extremely muscular! Just who is this guy?! Could he be an exchange student like Pony Tsunotori?! (Who coincidently also happened to be from America.) But before I knew it, he was standing near the same booth that Horikita was at.
'Does he want to talk to her or something?' I thought internally as I moved closer only to notice someone behind the man's muscular frame. There was another man who was sitting across from Horikita who had not been there before. The man had shoulder length magenta hair as well as eyes that matched the color of his hair. Now there were two people I had no idea what to make of. But even still, something did not feel right. This aura coming from this man… it was the same as-
'My little sister assigned to Class D… and I'm the one who bears the shame of it. Leave this school right now.' The same aura that poor excuse of a brother was giving out last night. Before I knew it, I found myself inching closer and closer until I reached the massive man standing in front of it.
"Um… mind if I sit there? You see I promised my classmate that I'd- I spoke as I attempted to reason with the man but before I could finish, he turned around and interrupted me.
"Shut up." The man said in a tone of voice that was as cold as ice. I instantly froze in place as I began to panic internally as I thought I was surely about to be clobbered into next week! But before that could happen-
"Stand down, Albert. Let the boy sit." The man behind the man named Albert spoke with a voice that was raspy and grating. In fact, it reminded me of a voice that I felt like I hadn't heard in a very long time. A voice that came from-
'I'll destroy everything… including myself.' A villain that I had no choice but to defeat. One that had threatened my life and the lives of my friends again and again. The villain named Tomura Shigaraki. Just hearing it made me grit my teeth and clench my fists hard. Something that man took note of as I took the available space next to Horikita and put the plate full of food onto the table. My emotions were so clouded that I didn't even notice Suzune looking at me with a sense of unease as she noticed my aggression emanating from me.
"Ooh, scary. Did I upset you by talking to Suzune? Perhaps I made you jealous. Not that she'd ever date a guy with such a horrible look on his face. Not to mention that tacky haircut." The man spoke with a smirk on his face as he was clearly trying to make me upset. And the funny thing is…
… It was working.
"Say, I'm curious. Where did you happen to get those scars? You must have gotten into a crap ton of fights. Or maybe…" The man spoke but paused for a second as his grin grew more wicked. And then…
"… Your dad used to throw his empty bottle of liquor at you because seeing your face just reminded him of the mistake, he made knocked up your mom." Ryuuen finished as he whispered into my ear as my eyes shot wide open. I couldn't help but remember my father who had left me and mom when I was very young. I don't even remember the guy's face. So, he certainly never hit me, at least not that I could remember him doing so. But even still…
… He abandoned me. He abandoned my mom. He abandoned his family. A man who abandons his loved ones is no man… but a coward. I don't ever want to remember someone so despicable. And now this guy just reminded me of someone that I didn't want to recall for as long as I lived. That alone enraged me.
"Get the hell out of here. Right now. Before I make you regret it." I declared with a voice that was clearly emanating hostility as I glared daggers at the man before me. So many negative emotions that I had bottled up over time were about to be unleashed. That's why I tried to warn him. So, that he could escape in time before I inevitably lose control. After all, I didn't even know his name. Perhaps, he deserved to pay for hurting people with his words? I didn't know. I didn't know a damn thing about this guy. I don't even like fighting, much less hurting other people. But if he continues to sit here…
… I will hurt him.
'Do you wish to obliterate him?" The voice of that man who is within my mind asked.
'… Ye- I thought internally but before I could properly answer him-
"M-Midoriya. Calm down." The voice of Suzune managed to break my thought process as I was brought back to reality by her words and the soft touch of her hand on mine. Oh god… I almost lost control. If it wasn't for Horikita…
… Then I would have certainly done something that I wouldn't have been able to take back. Something that I would have undoubtably regretted for the rest of my life.
"… Horikita." I muttered as I noticed the look on her face which was one that was incredibly worried. It was as if she knew something bad was going to happen if I lashed out at that guy. Thank goodness she was he-
'Bam!' Before I knew it my face was slammed into the Kaiseki Ryori as I was completely caught off guard.
"Midoriya! What the hell is wrong with yo- Suzune yelled out before standing up and turning her attention onto the guy in front of us. But she was cut off before she could finish-
"Sit down, Suzune. We aren't done talking just yet. In fact, I have plenty of things I want to get off my chest to your friend of yours." The man spoke with a voice that utterly grinded my gears to the point that I wished that I was deaf so that I didn't have to hear him anymore.
"Hey, punk. Do You have any idea who I am?" The man asked a question that was clearly rhetorical as I had never seen him before till now.
"No. You clearly have no clue who I am. So, let me elucidate you. My name is Kakeru Ryuuen. I'm the class rep for C Class. You see, I control things around here. Not just in my class. But all classes. Or at least I will soon enough. Not even you can escape my reach. Mark my words, if you dare demand 'me' to do something…" The man named Kakeru Ryuuen spoke while smooshing the food that I had wanted to set with my face before pausing for a second to move his head toward me. And then…
"… Or I'll make you wish your dad never ejaculated into your mom. Capisce?" Ryuuen finished with a whisper as he dug his fingers into my head before letting me go. I moved upward as the rice and piece of meat fell back onto the plate below me.
"…" I nodded in response as I didn't want to cause any trouble for myself or Horikita for that matter. Fighting him here will only result in consequences that may end up in me getting suspended. Perhaps even expelled. I can't let that happen. Not while the mastermind behind All Might's death is still lurking in the shadows at AN. Until I subdue that monster once and for all… I must accept this humiliation. Even though it hurts. I just have to take it so that no one else gets hurt- I thought internally but before I could finish thinking my train of thought was shattered once more by-
"Suzune… I told you to sit back down. I really hate repeating myself over and over like some broken record. So, I strongly recommend that you don't make me repeat myself a third time." Ryuuen threatened as I noticed that Suzune was standing with an aggravated look on her face. No. She wasn't just 'aggravated.' She was pissed. I noticed her get annoyed before but not like this. It looked like she was inching to throw down just as much as I was before!
'Oh crap! I got to say something quick before she blows her lid!' I thought internally with what was surely a look of freight on my face. But before I could say a word-
"Haah… Midoriya. Let's just get out of here. Okay?" Suzune spoke after taking a deep breath to calm herself down. She then extended a hand toward me but before I could grasp it with my own-
"Damn it, Suzune. You just don't know when to quit." Ryuuen spoke as I noticed him moving his hand in slow motion as he was certainly about to grab onto Suzune's hand and hurt her.
'Because he arrived on time to class today, didn't he?' Hurt the person who has stood up for me…
'You don't need to look so depressed. If you need me to lend you some points, just say so.' Hurt the person who has given me kindness when she didn't have to…
'… Thanks for saving me. I appreciate it.' Hurt a person who was undoubtably good…
… Yeah… I just can't let that happen. Or I would have no right…
… TO CALL MYSELF A HERO!
'BAM!' I grabbed onto Ryuuen's outstretched hand before he knew what hit him and sent it-
'SMASH!' SMASHING RIGHT BACK ONTO THE TABLE! Both Ryuuen and Horikita were utterly speechless at what had happened. Ryuuen's hand was back on the table. I could have used enough force to break the table along with his hand, but I held back. Not only for my sake but because Ryuuen doesn't deserve that even though he is undoubtably a bad person.
However, this would have major consequences for the future. Because now Ryuuen instinctively viewed me as a threat.
To Be Continued…
Next Chapter: The Meaning Behind…
Go Beyond!
Plus Ultra!