Author's Note: Sorry this has taken so long to get out, Amigos, real life has been kicking my behind lately. Plus, I've had to go over and rewrite this chapter several times because it never felt right. Hopefully that changes after this.

23: Before the Party

One Month Later...

Dressed in a violet blouse and a khaki skirt that went down to just above her ankles, Kaina Tsutsumi took her first step outside of Tartarus since she entered fourteen years ago. The sun was almost blinding to her, yet so warm on her nearly alabaster skin that she didn't mind the slight chill in the air. She breathed in the crisp wintry air, allowing it to fill her lungs: the air inside the prison was always sterile and smelled of disinfectant.

A chuckle came from her side, "Hasn't fully sunk in, yet, has it?" Toshinori asked, gesturing to the car waiting for them, "The fact that you're free?"

The former sniper nodded, "It really hasn't," she muttered as they started toward the car, "I completely expected to spend the rest of my life in there."

"I think I speak for us both when I say that the universe has certain ways of making things right," Toshinori said, thinking of his young protégé, and his ever expanding family. "I've seen proof of that."

Kaina smiled sadly, "You may be right," she shook her head, "But I wish that it didn't mean my husband had to lose his life."

The man gave a slow nod of his head, "Yes, that was...one of the worst things I've had to hear throughout my life in the Hero business," Toshinori recalled the look that crossed Mei's face when he told her the news of her father's death. While she probably didn't remember, the blond couldn't recall such a look of devastation, save perhaps for the look on his own face when his mentor had been killed right in front of him.

She gave him a small look of gratitude, "I can't tell you how much it means to me that she's being so well taken care of," she said with small smile, "How is she doing?"

Toshinori chuckled as he made to open the door of the "Action Cruiser", according to the blueprints that Izuku had based the design on: the man still thought of the second car as nothing more than an overpowered Dodge Challenger. As Kaina settled into the seat, she saw that it was far from an ordinary car. "Are these weapons systems?" She asked as she gazed at the console while Toshinori got into the driver's seat.

"Answering the first question: Mei's doing just fine," he chuckled as he pressed the ignition, "She and Young Midoriya spend most of their time going over tech, much like this beauty," he patted the dashboard almost fondly, the car reminding him of the vehicle he and David used to ride around in during his college days. "And with the addition of little Eri to the Midoriya household, everyone is kept quite busy." He saw the woman smile out of the corner of his eye. He knew that Mei had told her about the timid child that had blundered into their lives. "As for the second question: yes, this car has a rather diverse weapons system, including GTAMs (Ground To Air Missiles), and other such weapons."

The former sniper was impressed, "Is this meant to be a car or a tank?"

"Both," the man said, "Izuku's mentor wanted him to have the means to protect himself if his Quirk ever timed out on him at the wrong moment, and I have to say that should that happen, I truly feel pity for the poor soul on the other end of his arsenal."

"So would I," the woman muttered as she sat back, "Um, what about my living arrangements?"

At this, Toshinori belted out a laugh that had him sputtering up a small amount of blood while he pulled out onto the bridge heading back into the city. "Inko insisted that you come to live with her until it's time for you to start at U.A."

"I'm not so sure that that's such a good idea," she bit her lip, "I mean what parent would want their child to be taught by a murderer?"

Toshinori shook his head, "After the president makes her public apology, no one is going to bring that up ever again." He said with a deep growl in the back of his throat, "I'll make certain of that."

"How?" She asked with a look of confusion, "I realize that you're All Might's second in command, but even you can't hold the amount of power it would take to completely clear my name."

Toshinori had a knowing smile on his face as they drove toward the city, "My dear lady, you would be frightened to know the kind of power I hold over some of the government."

僕ぼくのヒーローアカデミア

Komori Household...

Kinoko was getting ready for the day she had planned with mixed feelings. On one hand, she was going to spend the evening with her friends, and her very loving boyfriend, to celebrate their acception into U.A. Academy as Hero students, Support in Mei's case.

It was something that she knew for a fact that she would enjoy. Especially when she knew that Izuku's lovable mother would be there. She didn't know what is was about the woman, but she just exuded a warmth from her being that always made her feel at ease. Unlike her own, workaholic parents. Her controlling, workaholic parents.

That was the other part of her dilema: she didn't want to leave her parents out of the fun since they were home for the first time in weeks. They were already in the middle of planning their next trip. They weren't happy when they found out that she wanted to be a Heroine/idol, but there was little they could do about it since she had admitted to wanting to attend U.A. in the first place.

It was, in all things, the best high school in the country, which meant that they were on board. They didn't, however, believe that she would be accepted into the Hero Course. With her Quirk, they thought that she would be relegated to the General Studies Course: imagine their surprise when she phoned in the good news.

Her father in particular had been rather upset, and insisted that there had been some mistake...right up until she showed them her test scores, and the fact that an agent from Might Towers itself had given her those results.

That had shut them up for a few minutes.

Then she had let slip that, after the exams, she had started seeing someone. Her father absolutely exploded. Heaven help her if he ever found out that she had released psychoactive mushroom spores during their first kiss, which resulted in a rather embarrassing situation the morning after. Knowing her parents, they would have flipped.

Still, she was reluctant to see them go without telling them anything. She wasn't that kind of person.

"Hey Dad?" She called out as she exited her room a few moments after dressing.

"In the kitchen, Kinoko," her father's voice called out. Taking a deep breath, Kinoko padded toward the kitchen where she found her parents sitting at the table going over several documents. "Sweetie, could your bring the pot? I've got too much here to leave even for a second." He asked as she dutifully went over to retrieve the coffee pot. "Also, I've gotten in touch with the principal at U.A."

"What?" Kinoko looked at him worriedly, "Was something wrong?"

The man grimaced, "No, I just wanted to double check a few...things," he muttered as she refilled his cup. Translation: he had called the school in an attempt to have her moved to the General Studies Course. But from the way he was frowning, she could see that he had been unsuccessful.

Kinoko smiled and kissed his cheek, making him grumble. "It'll be fine, Daddy," she promised him, "But that's something I wanted to talk to you about."

"What's that, Dear?" Her mother asked while the girl refilled her cup as well, "Did you change your mind?"

Kinoko shook her head, "No," she said in a uncharacteristically firm tone, "Some friends I made during the exams are having a party tonight." Both of her parents paused with their cups raised to their lips, waiting. Kinoko pressed forward, "It's not what you're probably thinking," she said hurriedly, "One of them is responsible for cleaning up Dagobah Beach. You know that, illegal dump?"

"Ugh, I've been trying to get that place labeled as a biohazard for years," her mother grumbled, "And you're saying that one person, a teenager no less, cleaned it?"

Kinoko shrugged, "I never saw him do it," she admitted, "But that's where he wants to hold this party, so we can celebrate getting into U.A. together." She looked at her father as the man frowned, "And I wanted to know if you guys would come with me to meet my friends and their families."

Her father frowned, "Kinoko, Sweetie, you know we - "

Kinoko looked at him and set the coffee pot down on the table with a little more force than necessary, "Look, I know that you guys are working hard to make sure I have a good future, and I love you guys for it," she said in a slightly snappy tone, "But I never see you guys anymore! Whenever you're home, it's barely for a day!" She looked at her father with her arms akimbo, "And if you're so worried about who I spend time with, then you should want to meet them, shouldn't you?"

The man looked like he wanted to protest, but she kept going, "And they're good people," Kinoko promised them, "Izuku's probably going to be the strongest student among the first years. Mei's the smartest girl I've ever met, and Hitoshi - "

"That's the name of the boy you said that you've been seeing, isn't it?" He finally managed to get a word in, "Are you sure that he has good intentions?"

Kinoko just huffed, refusing to back down, "Find out for yourself," she challenged, "Come with me tonight, both of you," she almost pleaded with a look at her mother, "Like I said, their families are gonna be there, too. It'll give you guys a chance to get to know the people in my life."

Her father looked conflicted, "I don't know - "

"We do have a few days until our next flight," her mother interjected, "It wouldn't hurt us to spend a little more time at home."

僕ぼくのヒーローアカデミア

Ashiod Household...

Mina was practically bouncing with excitement as she made herself ready for the party. The month had gone by extremely slow since that horrible day that she found out that her kind-of-boyfriend was going to have to fight one of the most dangerous Villains in the world. And while she had had ample time to think over...certain things...she had little to no interaction with said boy, or the rest of her friends.

That time, as she had heard from Mei from texting and phone calls, was spent training Midoriya into the ground. According to the pink-haired mechanic, Izuku's transformation time was limited to only fifteen minutes. Now he could stay transformed for twenty minutes. But in that time he had been training, she hadn't seen him at all.

She had had the chance to babysit Eri several times, and she loved the little girl just as much as everyone else did, but she really did miss her little green-haired, freckle-faced cutie.

What made the day all the more exciting was the fact that Mei's mother was supposed to be released that very morning. In fact, she was sure that Mister Yagi had gone to pick her up himself.

Ms. Midoriya, the Bakugos (Mitsuki was forcing her son to attend), and her own parents were all in charge of food. Mina looked over to where her karaoke machine sat in the corner. She might not have the best singing voice, but she thought that the addition would liven things up more.

"Mina," her mother called out softly as she knocked on the door before poking her head in, "Are you still not ready, yet?"

Mina giggled as she fluffed her hair, "Yeah, I'm not really sure what to do." She admitted with a small hint of embarrassment, "I haven't seen Izuku in over a month, so I really wanted to make sure I..." she trailed off as she turned back to the mirror.

No matter how many times she was told otherwise, the way she looked always bothered her. Her mother picked up on it immediately as she came over and wrapped her arms around the girl's shoulders, "Oh, I think you look more than ready to see that boy of yours again," she smiled as a pretty lavender blush rose to Mina's cheeks, "He's not going to be able to take his eyes off of you."

Mina smiled at her in their reflections, "Thanks, Mom," the girl smiled, "You know? I'm actually starting to believe people when they say I'm pretty."

Sakura rolled her eyes at her, "Well, it's about time," she laughed, "And for your information, young lady, you're more than just pretty," she laid a kiss against her cheek, "You are the most beautiful young woman in the world."

Mina giggled, "You're supposed to think that," she pointed out, "You're my mom!"

"And proud of it," her mother smiled and reached out to pick up a tube of lipstick, "Here, this one is bound to get his attention on you if it isn't already."

僕ぼくのヒーローアカデミア

With Izuku & Hitoshi...

"You nervous about tonight?" Hitoshi asked as he and Izuku drove through the city, having been sent out to do some shopping before the party that evening, "I mean, you haven't spoken to her in a month, so - "

Izuku gave a shaky nod, "You're darn right I'm nervous," he said, his voice gaining a small quaver to it, "I barely got to talk to her the last time we were together because of the whole thing with the H.P.S.C. breathing down my neck - "

"I still think that's seriously screwed up," Hitoshi sighed as he reclined in the seat, "They seriously expect you to fight this giganto-guy?" Izuku nodded slowly while his friend just tucked his arms behind his head, "I know that you're powerful with that watch-thingy attached to you, but even you've got your limits."

Izuku pulled to a stop at a red light, "It's not that simple," Izuku said, "They were never going to leave me alone, Hitoshi," he shivered, remembering how Merra had looked at him when he struck the bargain: like a man looking at a corpse, "They would've found some way to make me do what they wanted if I didn't agree to this."

Hitoshi sighed, "Maybe," he relented. He'd had his fair share of run-ins with government officials wanting to make use of his Quirk. Before he had moved out, his mother had sent more than a few of them running for the hills. "Anyway, about Ashido?" He said, changing the subject.

"What about her?" Izuku asked as they started moving again when the light turned green.

The boy gave him a dry look, "Have you guys made it official, yet?" When his friend remained silent, Shinso groaned, "Man, now I know why Mei's always so frustrated with you!" He said while Izuku frowned, "Come on, even me and Kinoko've made things official, and that was pretty quick after we met!"

"You mean after she drugged you?" Izuku laughed, earning himself a punch in the arm from his friend, "Worth it."

Hitoshi rolled his eyes, "My point is, you and Mina have spent a lot more time together, and, from what I've heard, have kissed more than a few times."

Izuku's face brightened, "Mei's got a big mouth," he mumbled, though he also remembered the times when that mouth had been on his, more than once. It was part of the reason he was still conflicted over making things official with Mina...that and the simple fact that he was scared out of his mind about the very idea of asking a girl to be his girlfriend.

Mei's confession had more than scrambled his brains, and his feelings for both girls. It was a hard choice. And one way or another, he was bound to hurt one of them, potentially both if he made the wrong choice.

"I know that look," Hitoshi said as they pulled up to another light, "You're overthinking something again, aren't you?" He asked with narrowed eyes. "And what was that about a wrong choice?"

[Damn my stupid muttering habit,] Izuku cursed himself as he sighed. Telling Hitoshi hadn't even crossed his mind, but maybe another guy's input would help. He sighed, [One way to find out.]

"So..." Izuku started as the light turned green, "That night...when we heard about Mei's dad...?"

Hitoshi looked at him with interest. "What about it?"

Izuku took a deep breath, "A lot happened," he said before he started explaining how things had gone with Mina: their almost-kiss, and the real kiss they had shared before her father had broken them apart. And his almost-asking her out. Hitoshi seemed happy with that sort of progress for him, but then Izuku explained what had happened with Mei.

Hitoshi then sat back with a groan, "You gotta be kidding me!" He smacked his palm against his head in exasperation.

"I know," Izuku said, feeling like utter garbage, "I don't know what to do with this kind of situation."

His friend shook his head, "That's not what I'm geeking out about," Hitoshi said with a huge grin on his face, "You," he pointed to Izuku's Ultimatrix, "Have an extremely powerful weapon that lets you follow your dream of being a Hero," he held up a finger as if counting, "It makes you OP-strong," he raised another finger, "It has the agent of the No.1 Hero in Japan backing you," he raised a third finger, "The government is trying to make you their lap dog," he raised a fourth finger, "And you have not one but two absolute babes head over fucking heels for you," Izuku blushed cherry-red at that last one, "You have all the marks of a cliche anime protagonist!"

Izuku looked at him like he grown a second head, "I...I do not!" He yelled as Hitoshi started laughing hysterically. "Seriously! I'm not - !"

"The only thing you're missing," Hitoshi pointed out, "Is an arch nemesis, and a best friend that keeps you grounded, but dies a horrible death before..." Hitoshi stopped laughing as realization started sinking in, "Oh dear gods, that's me!"

"Oh for gods' sake!" Izuku yelled his hands flying off the wheel and into his hair, "That's so not true!"

"Hands on the wheel!" Hitoshi yelped as he grabbed the steering wheel to keep them from swerving off the road. Izuku calmed down a moment later and retook the wheel, his face still red as an apple. "Man, I never thought I'd see anyone freak out over such an enviable situation!"

"I don't find this enviable," Izuku groaned, "I'm not the type of guy that's supposed to have a girlfriend, let alone two!" Hitoshi gave him a look that made him flinch, "Look, most of my life I've been ridiculed for being Quirkless, so there was never any girl that showed interest in me," he explained, "And when they did, it was only for pranks."

Hitoshi shrugged, "Somehow, I don't think either Mei or Mina would do something like that," the Brainwasher pointed out. "Mei was picked on, too, you know. And Mina's really sensitive about her looks because of the prejudice against mutants."

The sour look on Izuku's face spoke volumes. "I know that they wouldn't," he muttered, "It's just hard for me to wrap my head around."

"Even after they've both admitted to liking you?" Hitoshi asked, "Not to mention the kissing."

Izuku shrugged as he pulled off onto a side street, "It's like I told Mei," he admitted, "I'm not sure I deserve either one of them."

Hitoshi's brow furrowed in slight anger, "I have an overpowering urge to slug you right now, you know that?" The boy said while Izuku looked confused, "Look, I have some idea about what you went through with the bullying because of Bakugo's punkass attitude, but I know for a fact that you didn't deserve any of it, and neither did I for that matter." He crossed his arms, "People tended to stay away from me because they were afraid of me using my Quirk on them, and called it villainous."

"You didn't deserve that," agreed Izuku with a nod.

"And what you do deserve is exactly what's happening right now," Hitoshi pointed out, "Think of it like this: all the bad stuff that's happened to you? It's all coming back around as good things." He began to grin at the boy, "Just like I said before. You were bullied, beaten and even your teachers tried to sabotage you. Now you have the strength to prove all of those bullies wrong, and I heard that Alderaan is being absorbed by U.A. because of the teachers' actions there, and all of them have been blacklisted."

Izuku smiled slightly at that, "Okay, I admit it feels good to have a little justice - "

"A little justice?" Hitoshi ribbed him.

The boy rolled his eyes, "Okay, complete justice," he relented, "But that still doesn't explain how I'm supposed to deal with two girls having feelings for me."

Hitoshi looked at him dryly, "Dude, for such a Hero nerd, I'm surprised that you haven't figured it out, yet." In answer he only received a confused look from his friend, "Look, back when Quirks were starting to really appear enmasse, and Heroes started to become more common, the governments of the world passed a bill that allowed for certain Heroes to take more than one spouse."

"What?!" Izuku almost swerved off the road.

"Will you please drive straight!" Hitoshi begged, "And I'm serious! That bill was never revoked, either, so even though it's relatively rare, it wouldn't be against the rules to have more than one girlfriend." He said, noting that Izuku looked far paler than he normally did.

"Two bucks says that neither Mei or Mina will see it that way," Izuku groaned, "There's a reason why no one practices that sort of thing."

Hitoshi shrugged, "Endeavor tried it a few years before he married," the boy pointed out, "But you seriously just need to bring it up with them. Be honest. The only reason that you haven't made things official with either one of them is because you don't want to hurt one by choosing the other, or ruin things between you guys."

"Pretty much."

Hitoshi grinned at him then, "So talk to them," he urged, "I got really lucky with Kinoko, but if you don't take a chance, then some other guy's gonna come in and steal both of them."

"Mei likes girls." Izuku pointed out.

"Start wearing skirts then." Hitoshi grinned at him while Izuku just reached out and shoved him. "What? Not interested in - "

Izuku held up a hand, "I have enough to deal with concerning my life, Hitoshi," the boy said, "The last thing I need is give Bakugo more ammo to use against me."

"Good point."

僕ぼくのヒーローアカデミア

Dagobah Beach...

"You know that you guys didn't have to come, right?" Ochaco said as she and her parents made their way to the beach where the party was being held, "You guys don't get enough work as it is without taking off for some little get-together."

Her father just grinned and patted her head, "Ah, c'mon, Sweetie," he said boisterously, "It's not like it's gonna hurt us. Besides, I wanna meet the kid that saved your life during the exams!"

"He's right, Dear," her mother agreed, "We owe that boy a great deal because of that."

Ochaco sighed, knowing that that was no arguing with them at this point. They were already at the beach, and she could already see a lot of people gathering. Some she recognized immediately. Ms. Midoriya and Himiko were setting up tables. There was also the addition of a tiny little girl with white hair to the mix as she noticed the child hiding behind Ms. Midoriya's skirts. The Ashido's were there as well, setting up a gas grill. She didn't see the blond man, Toshinori Yagi, yet, but knew that he was probably on his way. She saw Kinoko talking with Mei animatedly about something while two other adults stood nearby, probably her parents given the woman's similarities with the Mushroom Girl.

A familiar green car pulled up in the parking lot. She saw Izuku and Hitoshi get out and start unloading groceries. Ochaco smiled: it looked like it was going to be quite the party.

"Excuse me," said a voice behind them.

The trio turned to see a rather tall elderly man standing there. Her father smiled in a friendly manner, "I'm sorry, are we in your way?" He asked politely.

But the man shook his head, "Not at all, but I feel a bit lost," he admitted, "Is this Dagobah Beach?" He asked, and it was then that Ochaco noticed a familiar symbol on his chest. A green hourglass-like symbol.

僕ぼくのヒーローアカデミア

Author's Note: Again, apologies that this took so long to get out. Honestly it feels a bit rushed, even if its been months. But the next chapter is going to be the grand meeting of mentor and apprentice. And a few awkward conversations as well as Mei finally getting to meet her mother without a window between them.

As always, if you enjoyed the chapter then please leave a Review to show support to the story and the author. Adios Amigos!