Chapter 25: Nezu I

A/N: Welcome everyone to tea time with everyone's favorite psychotic and unhinged school principal. Just so you all know and don't get confused, this is a bit of a… flashback, I suppose. From what point in the timeline exactly, that info is inferred. That being said, I hope you all have a wonderful time…

The figure known as 'Michimoto Jakku' backs up from his position, leading him to just the right place for a piece of stray equipment to block the lower half of his face from the frame.

[So, I was thinking. I have plans and all, and to be honest because of them I might not be here at Yuuei for longer than another week at most. I feel almost as if it'd be a waste if we didn't set some time aside to collaborate on some things. I'm not saying today, maybe tom—]

The pink-haired inventor, Hatsume Mei, rushes forward towards the other individual, effectively placing her lower face out of frame as well.

[I'm in!]

[…That's it? Just like that? I mean, we haven't even discussed—]

[I get my way, Michimoto. Thing is, I can tell that you do too! So I'm sure that we can find some common ground between my babies, you, and I. And besides, if things don't work out, I'll just make sure to blacklist you from ever receiving the future services of Hatsume Industries!]

[Right… We'll hash out the details at a later date if you don't mind. Just make sure that you keep our collaboration a secret though — I don't want anyone knowing that I'm favoring you and your babies. It could seriously harm my business prospects if word got out. You get me?]

[Roger that, business man! My lips are sealed!]

The video pauses, the two figures frozen within a still, flickering image on a screen. A second window is brought up depicting the same scene, but from a different angle. This specific view is unhindered from any scattered equipment, but ultimately useless as it shows the backs of both Michimoto and Hatsume's heads.

"Hmph. He's good. Really good."

Nezu backs away from the computer screen, conceding to the fact that even after his fifth attempt of analyzing the recorded footage from yesterday, his observations have yielded the same results as the past four attempts.

Though a small part of him is peeved at this realization, another — larger — part of him finds a bit of difficulty in suppressing the excited shiver that threatens to dance down his spine. As such, after a moment's deliberation, he shakes his head to get his mind back into focus.

Despite the combination of listening to the collected audio and a liberal use of lip reading, Nezu can't find a hint of anything malicious going on — all he sees is a simple friendly request for two individuals to spend time together brainstorming and tinkering.

There aren't any coded messages embedded within their phrases, no secret language being used that can be interpolated from what's heard, and even what little of their micro expressions are shown point towards exact reactions to what's being said.

All and all, the entire conversation between the eccentric Hatsume Mei and the mysterious Michimoto Jakku isn't exactly something that should be considered amiss in any prospective school, let alone Yuuei.

And normally, Nezu wouldn't find the discussion to be anything to look at twice either — but then again, it isn't an everyday thing to find out that a violent vigilante had infiltrated the ranks of his student body.

The only problem Nezu has now is… well, finding evidence as such. For starters, without anything concrete, he can't exactly accuse the Hatsume girl of anything. Especially not without any indication that she knows she's willingly collaborating with a villain-slash-vigilante. Because really, he only has the assumption of such.

Most would accept footage that is recorded within the walls of Yuuei at face value. After all, everybody who supposedly knows of Nezu knows him as the most intelligent individual of all of Eastern Asia. He's a chessmaster puppeting everybody behind the scene, always twenty steps ahead of his opponents.

But in truth, even he has his faults. And even he comes across moments where he's been outplayed. In this instance, the linchpin of his whole investigation lies on the authenticity of the footage of his own systems. But he's come across an obstacle — it's veracity will always come into question due to Whisper's quirk.

With a complete and complex control over sound, there's no telling if 'Michimoto Jakku' altered the audio that eventually was picked up by the microphones and cameras Nezu has scattered throughout the building. Nevermind the fact that the boy had backed away to just the right place to keep both his and Hatusme's mouths hidden.

And then there's the fact that he hacked into Yuuei's systems in a little under a minute. Nezu may have already checked for every virus and hidden backdoor program imaginable threefold, but that doesn't mean he's certain that nothing had gotten past him. And he's prepared for any surprises.

That leaves him with eyewitnesses. And he only has two. One, who's very unlikely to step one foot back onto Yuuei grounds as a normal student anytime soon seeing as his cover's been blown. And another, who Nezu personally doubts he'll get any sort of results out of without having to resort to… extreme measures. And he wouldn't want to inflict something of the sort on any of his students — not unless for an utmost and desperate last resort. And right now, he isn't in a situation that would garner as such.

And with that, all he has left to work with are guesses and wayward theories based on the information that he does have. For one, while 'Michimoto' played the image of forcing his way through every speck of information in the Yuuei database, a little digging reveals that the vigilante was actually interested in a whole slew of data regarding the students. Specifically, the first-years.

The most obvious conclusion to this action would reign from something of the pre-planning stage. After all, the students are new to the whole heroing thing, not having yet been put into a situation where their quirks and personalities have been displayed to the greater world to see. If Whisper is planning something that involves them, his path through the data stream would make sense.

But then again… he could have done that same without having to infiltrate Yuuei. Extrapolate from population data and paper application trails to Yuuei from schools much less guarded and firewalled, and take the student data from there; much less risky than posing as a student at Yuuei. After all, it's not something out of Whisper's skillset, considering the ease he broke through Yuuei's security.

And then there's the second aspect of this — what role Hatsume Mei plays in the grand scheme of things. Michimoto kept to himself throughout his short admission at Yuuei — the only glaring exception being the way he sought out Hatsume after their first meeting.

Was it just a manner of keeping his cover, seeing it was a mandatory aspect of his curriculum? Or is there something more sinister at play? A ploy to steal as much as he can from the gifted inventor, or a long-con to build friendly relations?

He simply doesn't have enough — not enough data nor models to base things out from… Well, unless he considers that information that he had dug up just an hour ago.

He had simply let the data simmer in the background while his rapid spree at the day's footage took the foreground. But now that he's somewhat accepted his resignation over finding anything from the recordings and accepted his well-earned defeat, he decides to focus on that info.

Until a knock at his door interrupts Nezu's musings, that is, bringing him rocketing to the present. As a result, he takes a short moment to skim through all the footage that displays the path to his office from the last several minutes. He then tilts his head upwards, checking the clock on his wall.

"Oh my. I got so distracted with my work that I forgot the time!" Nezu hops off his seat and heads to a table at the side of his office. "Good thing that the kettle's still hot." He turns his head to the door and yells out. "Come in!"

The doors sway open as Nezu refocuses on preparing his array of desserts and refreshments.

Nevermind the fact that the cameras had been following the visitor ever since he had stepped onto school grounds, or that Nezu had checked his cameras earlier. If he had needed to, the various sounds that Nezu's ears are picking up even as his head is turned away would have been enough alone for the principal to deduce an identity.

With a near constant sense of guilt, worry, sternness, and disappointment hidden under his breath, long strides highlighting the clinking of metal in pockets, and the slight movement of adjusting glasses on a face, there aren't many who fit such a bill.

"Now, Mirai — before we begin, I have a very crucial question for you." Nezu turns to the tall, lanky man, a piercing look taking over his two beady eyes as he looks his visitor up and down. "What type of tea would you like?"

With one paw holding up a tray of desserts, and the other balancing a tray holding a tea set and kettle, Nezu walks past Mirai and hops back onto his chair. After he sets everything down, he gestures to the open seat on the opposite side of his desk, which Mirai silently takes up after a moment's deliberation.

What follows next is Nezu cheerily humming a tune as he sets the table, all while Mirai stares on in silence. Eventually, once the pastries are all laid out and the boiling fresh water is ready to be poured, Nezu finally places his attention back to his guest.

"Well?" Nezu asks, tapping his paw a few times onto the surface of the desk. "I'm waiting."

Mirai sighs. "Just give me oolong or whatever. I really don't care."

"As you desire." Nezu taps his desk one last time, revealing a slot that opens up. Out of it pops out a can of loose leaf oolong, which Nezu readily takes. A few spoonfuls into the teapot and a nice portion of boiling water later, and all there is left is to wait.

Not that Mirai is willing to do that, however. "I'd like to get this meeting started, if you don't mind," he says, voice stern.

"Hrmm." Nezu steeples his paws together and rests his head atop them. "Even though we're still waiting for the tea?"

Mirai presses his lips together. "Yes."

Nezu nods. "Then please; do go on. It's not often that the famous Mirai Sasaki calls directly to my office. And I do know that you, Sir Nighteye, are notoriously known for being busy, so I'll try not to hold you for long."

"We shall see. Because what I've to talk about is related to that little incident you had yesterday."

"Oho?" Nezu leans forward. "Stumbled upon some information that you believe I'd find myself privy to learning of, hmm?"

"It's about Whisper," Mirai admits, stone-faced.

Nezu tilts his head and blinks. "Oh? … Well? Go on."

Mirai nods in return. "I found him sneaking around my agency last night."

"Used Centipeder's ace in his sleeve, eh? Because Whisper wouldn't have been discovered otherwise. While he may be new and still has a lot to learn — hence him not knowing about your sidekick's little trick — he is skillful enough to evade your normal surveillance methods: that I know."

Mirari frowns, a bit peeved that Nezu knows about that fact of Centipeder. But nonetheless, he trudges on. "I found him, used my quirk on him. As you can imagine, what I saw is the object of our meeting today."

"And I'm guessing that you aren't willing to share?" Nezu asks. "You'd rather keep things vague, leaving me in the dark as things play out?"

Mirai nods. "Precisely."

"Hmph… Well then, let's share notes then, shall we? Too see how far each of our research has gone."

Mirai raises an eyebrow. "Such as…"

"Well. My interest was first peaked when I found one Michimoto Jakku, who had at first enrolled in the hero course, had decided to switch over his application to business and management. Nothing out of the ordinary, I assure you, as by design many prospective students discover that heroing isn't their thing after the entrance exam. Still, I was curious. Looking up his student profile, everything seemed in order — at first. But after a little digging by someone with my resources and expansive mind, everything came crumbling apart."

Nezu nods. "A simple extrapolation of data, a cross-reference of patterns and dates, a slight dab of facial identification courtesy of my surveillance footage, and wa la! Not only am I suddenly gazing upon one Midoriya Izuku, but I'm also finding out that one of my students moonlights as the vigilante Whisper. It wasn't so hard to deduce when you consider Whisper coming out of the woodwork just a little over a month after Midoriya's apparent disappearance."

"Of course," Nezu continues, "I just had to dig deeper. Born to parents Midoriya Hisashi and Inko, Izuku had a fairly uneventful early life. That changes when his father is killed in the crossfire of one of Endeavor's attacks — the starting point of the boy we see now, I'm sure. From then on it's a downward spiral — bullies in the form of childhood friends, a neglectful mother too steeped in her own grief to pay attention to her child, a quirk deemed weak that gains the scorn of most of his peers… It all leaves a bad taste in my mouth."

Nezu sighs. "I understand what happened; what succession of events occurred to morph the boy that was into the broken being we see today. And while I may not altogether agree with his methods, I can sympathize with his plight. And I can see where he gets the idea of 'reshaping society.' It's not like it hasn't crossed my mind more than once."

Mirai represses the urge to visibly respond to that.

Nezu shakes his head. "It's such a tragedy that such a prodigal young man faced as such, and all as a byproduct of the society we live in today. Makes you think, hmm?"

"I didn't come here to talk philosophy," Mirai eventually huffs after a few moments. "I came to warn you against taking any overt actions regarding Whisper."

"Hmm… Might be a little too late for that."

One of Mirai's eyes twitches. "What did you do?"

Nezu shrugs, an innocent smile on his face. "Oh, nothing much. Suffice to say, Aldera Middle School is as of a few hours ago a fish out of water exposed to the elements and ready to be gutted for the gluttonous hunter to eat for dinner."

"You call that nothing?!" Mirai hisses, hands clenching on the arms of his chair.

"Well, I suppose that I have no doubts that Midoriya himself will notice. But that doesn't really matter, does it? The general populace won't be any the wiser anyways... Though, mind me asking why you're so worked up over something so small?"

"Don't target the boy," Mirai reiterates. "Whether to take him down or for your frivolous cat and mouse games, I advise against it."

"Hmmph." Nezu tilts his body forward, head cocking to the side. "I have a class taking a trip later today. Toshinori is supposed to be there — a prime target of Whisper's, as evidence permits. I have no doubt that that's where Midoriya is planning to use the information that he gained from me yesterday — and you're telling me that I shouldn't intervene?"

"I'm not saying that you shouldn't intervene; I'm just saying that you shouldn't act in a manner that proves your foreknowledge."

Nezu begins tapping his paw on his desk. "And you have immediate justification for my doing this?"

"Nobody will die if you don't act until the moment to do so presents itself," Mirai explains. "That's a certainty."

"But doesn't that conflict with how your quirk works? Doesn't your coming here to warn me of such affect what will happen? If you hadn't come, would the future you had seen not have transpired?"

"And what if it's my sitting here that propels the future that I've seen forward?" Mirai counters. "After all, it's not as if I saw myself talking to you today. That was my decision. I wouldn't be here if I hadn't caught that kid spying on us and had inferred your meeting with him due to his words. That is an event that happened, our meeting is an event that is happening, and what I saw is what will happen."

Mirai clears his throat. "Just because the future is unchangeable doesn't mean that I can't take the steps that I find necessary to reach the future I see — especially one that is desirable. It's all a concept of building blocks: I'm sure that you don't need further explanation for what I mean."

"No, I don't," Nezu admits. "But I can see that whatever Whisper will do in that far off future that you saw, it is something you want to happen. Desperately so, or you wouldn't be here trying to convince someone such as myself. That in itself is intriguing."

Nezu nods. "As such… I suppose that if the lives of my staff and students are guaranteed… I can look away this once. From there, however, I'll see how the situation evolves, and make further judgement on how to react."

Mirai blinks. "Truly?"

"You sound surprised. Isn't that what you wanted?"

"That may be so… Though I expected you to make more of a fuss. I mean, by doing this you'd be letting someone go who is making waves in the criminal underworld."

"Then perhaps you don't know me as well as you think you do." Nezu smirks. "Your predictive models are off. You see, my first priority is my school and the safety of my students. They are the one true thing that I reign over, after all. If the world outside is facing the tides of change, who am I — an outlier amongst society and a foreigner of the human ideal — to influence things either way? My domain is entirely separate from the human domain. I am willing to help innocents when the situation requires it, yes. But to actively help hold up a society that helps make people like Midoriya Izuku? That permits creatures like me to come into being? Not my place."

Mirai can't do anything but sigh. "Just try not to go too overboard, please."

"Of course." Nezu smiles, his previous demeanor disappearing in favor of a much more approachable, ambivalent one. "Now, that being all said and done: are you ready for your tea?"

A/N: Another short one this time around. Don't worry though, we'll be back to a bit more length as well as Izuku's perspective next time.