Chapter 8 Breaking Free
Izuku exited the dungeon, wiping the sweat from his brow and glancing at his inventory. The notifications from the system chimed in, reminding him of his recent loot—a modest haul, but one that had potential. He navigated to the merchant's interface and exchanged his dungeon items for an ounce of gold. The shimmering nugget appeared in his hand, its weight surprisingly satisfying.
"This should be enough for a down payment," he muttered to himself, pocketing the gold. He checked his quest log and noticed another dungeon nearby. "One more run won't hurt."
The next dungeon was straightforward, filled with low-level goblins that fell quickly to his punches and the occasional telekinetic rock. His skills were improving, his movements more fluid, and his strikes more devastating. After clearing the dungeon, he earned another ounce of gold and a handful of minor crafting materials.
With his bag full and satisfaction etched on his face, Izuku made his way to the merchant's shop in town. The shopkeeper, a sharp-eyed man with a crooked smile, eyed Izuku as he placed the gold on the counter.
"Not bad for a kid," the shopkeeper said, weighing the gold with practiced ease. "You're getting better at this, huh?"
Izuku shrugged. "Just doing what I can."
The shopkeeper counted out the cash, and Izuku pocketed it without a word. He left the shop with enough funds to secure an apartment. For the first time in what felt like forever, a glimmer of independence didn't seem like a distant dream.
On the way home, Izuku texted Mei and Toga, letting them know he'd be staying at home tonight. Their replies came in quickly, both sporting playful frowny faces. Mei added a "don't work too hard" with a cheeky winking emoji, while Toga's response was a simple "miss you already."
He smirked at their antics but quickly straightened his face as his notifications chimed.
New Skill Unlocked: Overwhelming Presence Allows the user to intimidate others using their mind stat. Effectiveness depends on the target's willpower. Can be used once every 10 minutes.
He tested the skill briefly, feeling a surge of confidence as he activated it. The faintest flicker of an oppressive aura surrounded him. Satisfied, he turned it off and resumed his walk.
By the time he reached home, the satisfaction from the day's grind was wearing thin. The thought of stepping back into that apartment, the one filled with unresolved tension, soured his mood. Steeling himself, he climbed the stairs and opened the door, only to see his mother waiting for him.
Her arms were crossed, her face a mix of worry and frustration. As he tried to slip past her, she blocked his path.
"We need to talk," she said firmly.
Izuku sighed, dropping his bag by the door. "Fine," he muttered, knowing he couldn't dodge this conversation forever.
He sat at the dinner table, the weight of the day's accomplishments momentarily dulled by the tension in the air. His mother sat across from him, her gaze unwavering.
"You're going to explain to me," she began, her voice trembling slightly, "why you thought it was okay to hospitalize that boy."
Izuku clenched his fists under the table, the adrenaline from the dungeons replaced with a familiar simmering anger. "He attacked me," he said simply, his voice void of emotion. "And I defended myself."
"Defended yourself?" she echoed, her tone rising. "Defending yourself doesn't mean breaking bones and leaving someone in that state! Izuku, I saw the pictures! It was barbaric!"
"Barbaric?" he finally said, his voice sharp, low, and steady. "You think what I did was barbaric?"
His mother flinched slightly at the venom in his tone but held her ground. "Yes, Izuku! Breaking bones, dislocating limbs—it's excessive! I don't understand how you could do something like that to someone."
He let out a bitter laugh, shaking his head. "You don't understand? Then let me explain it to you."
He leaned forward, his elbows on the table, his hands clenched into fists. "Do you know what burnt human flesh smells like?"
Her face paled. "Izuku—what—?"
"Do you?" he snapped, cutting her off. "Because I do. I know exactly what it smells like. That 'barbaric' boy you're so worried about? He'd grab my hands, hold them tight, and then let his explosions rip. The only reason my hands look fine right now is because the school nurse was good at healing skin. Bones? Not so much."
His mother's mouth opened slightly, but no words came out. She was frozen, horrified.
"You want to know what else I know?" Izuku continued, his voice rising. "I know what it feels like to be beaten so badly that you piss yourself. Not because you want to, but because the pain is so much, your body just gives up. I know what it's like to be thrown into a river and left there, shivering, while people laugh at you. I know what it's like to have everything I care about destroyed, to be mocked and told to take a 'swan dive' off a roof."
His voice cracked on the last word, but the anger in his eyes didn't waver. "And where were you, Mom? Every time my uniform came home scorched, torn, or covered in blood, where were you? Every time I limped through the door, you'd look away like nothing happened. You knew. You knew, didn't you?"
His mother's lip trembled as tears began streaming down her face. "I… I thought it was just boys being boys. I thought it was roughhousing, Izuku. I didn't… I didn't realize it was that bad."
"You didn't realize?" he shouted, slamming his fist into the table with a loud crack. The wood splintered under the force. "You didn't realize because you didn't want to! Because it was easier for you to pretend nothing was wrong! Easier for you to lie to yourself than to face the truth that your son was being beaten to a pulp every single day!"
"I'm sorry," she whispered, her voice breaking. "I'm so, so sorry."
"Sorry, don't cut it, Mom," Izuku spat, standing up so suddenly that the chair screeched against the floor. "Sorry doesn't erase years of pain. Sorry doesn't fix the fact that you let this happen."
His mother stood up too, tears streaming freely. "Izuku, please! I didn't know what to do! If you had told me—"
"Why would I tell you?" he cut her off, his voice cold and flat now. "Why would I tell you when you wouldn't have done anything? Even now, after all that, you're still defending him. You wanted me to make up with him, like this is some fairy tale where we all hold hands and everything's fine."
"I thought it was the right thing to do," she said weakly. "I thought you could move on, heal."
Izuku let out a humorless laugh. "Move on? Heal? From what? From years of torment? From being made to feel like I was worthless? Do you even hear yourself?"
His voice dropped, low and dangerous. "You want me to forgive him? To forgive you? Not gonna happen."
She reached out for him, but he slapped her hand away, glaring. "Don't touch me," he said, his voice trembling with barely-contained rage. "Don't you dare touch me."
"Izuku, I—"
"No!" he shouted, cutting her off. "I'm done, Mom. I'm done trying to be the good little boy you wanted me to be. I'm done pretending that everything's fine. The second I'm old enough, I'm gone. And when I walk out that door, I'm not coming back. Not to you. Not to this house. Not to this life."
Her tears came harder now, her sobs filling the silence between his words. "Please," she begged, her voice barely above a whisper. "Don't do this. Don't leave me. I love you."
He looked at her, his face devoid of the warmth it once held. "Then start acting like it. Start looking for the good in me, instead of constantly judging me. Stop defending the people who hurt me and start defending me."
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a stack of cash, slamming it onto the broken table. "Here," he said, his voice ice cold. "For the table. For everything."
Without another word, he turned and walked toward the door. She called after him, but he didn't stop. He stepped outside, slamming the door behind him with a force that rattled the apartment.
As he walked down the street, he clenched his fists, his breathing uneven. The cold night air bit at his skin, but he welcomed it.
"Maybe she'll get it now," he muttered to himself. But deep down, he wasn't sure if he believed it.
The next morning
Izuku wiped the sweat off his brow as he exited the tenth dungeon of the night. His body ached, his hands were caked with dirt and dried blood from the endless stream of monsters, but he didn't care. The weight of exhaustion tugged at his limbs, yet the gleam of satisfaction in his eyes remained. He had cleared every dungeon within the area, each one more challenging than the last.
The system chimed softly as it tallied his rewards, but he didn't bother checking the specifics. All he cared about was the 12 ounces of gold he had collected, safely stored in his inventory. Selling it to the merchant at dawn provided him with the funds he needed to move closer to his independence.
By the time morning rolled around, Izuku looked disheveled but resolute. He decided to stop by Mei's shack to see if she was awake. Usually, she'd be outside tinkering or waiting for him with her signature manic grin. This morning, however, the place was eerily quiet.
"She's probably skipping again," he muttered to himself, brushing it off as he made his way toward school.
As he walked, he felt the familiar prickling sensation of someone following him. His muscles tensed, and he prepared for whatever was coming. When the sound of rapid footsteps reached his ears, he spun around just in time to see a flash of orange hair and a foot aimed straight for his head.
Reacting on instinct, Izuku caught her leg mid-air and swung her backward, slamming her head against a light metal sign with a resounding clang. Without pausing, he followed up with a sharp kick to her solar plexus, knocking the wind out of her and sending her to the ground gasping. Her breath came in ragged gasps, but Izuku didn't stop there. He reached into his inventory, pulled out a restrict ball, and activated it. The device sprang to life, wrapping around her like a metallic cocoon.
He looked down at her, his face devoid of emotion. "Crazy lady," he muttered under his breath before turning on his heel and walking away.
The orange-haired girl screamed after him, her voice hoarse but filled with fury. "Coward! Fight me, you bastard! Get back here!"
Izuku didn't even flinch, his back turned as he continued toward school. Her words were nothing more than background noise. The only acknowledgment he gave was a flicker of annoyance as he rolled his shoulders.
When he reached class, he settled into his seat without a word, his thoughts drifting as he stared out the window at the clouds. He wasn't in the mood for anything—or anyone.
The classroom door slammed open, drawing everyone's attention. The orange-haired girl stormed in, disheveled but fuming. "Sorry I'm late!" she barked.
The teacher immediately launched into a lecture. "You need to learn to manage your time better! This is unacceptable behavior—"
But the girl wasn't listening. Her fiery gaze locked onto Izuku, who didn't even spare her a glance. He kept his focus on the sky outside, utterly indifferent.
By lunchtime, Izuku found solace on the rooftop, sitting alone with a store-bought bento in his lap. He ate quietly, letting the cool breeze brush against his face. For a moment, he felt a semblance of peace.
The sound of footsteps shattered that peace.
When he looked up, he saw the orange-haired girl, flanked by a small crowd of students. She pointed at him dramatically. "You! Fight me, right here, right now!"
Izuku sighed, closing his bento and standing up. "No."
The crowd murmured in surprise at his blunt refusal.
"I'm not interested," he continued, his tone even. "I'm going through a lot right now, and if we fight, I will hospitalize you. That is not a threat—it's a fucking promise. Do yourself a favor and save yourself the hospital bills. Walk away."
Her fiery demeanor wavered for a moment, but she quickly recovered, smirking. "Oh, trying to act tough, are we?"
Izuku didn't reply. Instead, he pulled out his phone and swiped to a picture—one showing Bakugo, battered and broken, lying unconscious in the alley from the previous day. He held it up for her and the crowd to see.
"This was yesterday," he said coldly. "I did this, and I didn't even use a quirk. I don't care if you think you're tough. I'll do the same to you if you push me."
The orange-haired girl stared at the image, her face draining of color. "Is… is he dead?" she whispered.
"Don't know. Don't care," Izuku replied, sitting back down and reopening his bento. "Now leave, while you still have the use of your legs."
Her friends pulled her back, whispering frantically. "Just leave it. He's not joking," one said.
"Yeah," another added. "Do you really want to end up like that guy?"
After a tense moment, the orange-haired girl relented, glaring at him one last time. "Fine. But if I ever see you bullying anyone, I'll stop you. And seriously—don't two-time those girls."
Izuku didn't even look up as she stormed off with her group. He remained focused on his food, eating in silence as the rumors began spreading through the school like wildfire.
By the end of the day, stories of Izuku ranged from the outlandish to the downright insane. Some claimed he was a murderer, others said he was part of a gang, and a few even speculated he was a psychopath on the run.
Izuku didn't care. Let them talk.
Back at the shack
Izuku trudged back to the shack, his body heavy and his mind a whirlwind of emotions. The moment he stepped inside, he saw Mei and Toga waiting for him. Their usual mischievous smiles faltered when they saw the broken expression on his face. His shoulders sagged as though the weight of the world had finally crushed him, and without a word, he sank to his knees.
The girls exchanged a glance. Mei's eyes flicked to the table where they had prepared an elaborate prank—a confetti cannon, a jar of maple syrup, and a box of feathers ready to ambush him. Toga gave a small nod, and they both silently agreed to put it away. Now wasn't the time.
Mei was the first to kneel in front of him. "Hey, Broccoli Boy, what's wrong?"
Izuku clenched his fists. "I'm… I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I just… I can't… I can't take it anymore."
Toga moved closer, concern etched into her face. "What happened?"
He took a shaky breath, his voice barely above a whisper. "I fought my mom. Not physically, but… it felt worse. She doesn't understand. She doesn't get what I've been through, and I yelled at her… I yelled at her so much. I told her things I can't take back."
Mei placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "It's okay, Izuku. You've been holding all of this in for so long. Sometimes… it just comes out."
Toga took his other hand, squeezing it gently. "You're allowed to feel, you know. You're not a robot."
Izuku looked at both of them, his eyes glistening with unshed tears. "I just don't want to be this person anymore. I'm tired of being angry. I'm tired of being so… broken."
Mei gave him a reassuring smile. "You're not broken, you're just… under construction. And lucky for you, you've got two amazing mechanics right here."
Toga grinned, trying to lighten the mood. "Yeah, and we don't charge hourly."
The girls guided him to the oversized beanbag chair in the corner of the shack. As soon as he sat down, they flanked him, pressing against him from both sides. Mei rested her head on his shoulder while Toga leaned her cheek against his chest. The warmth of their presence eased the tension in his body, and for the first time that day, he let himself breathe.
"Thank you," he murmured as his eyes grew heavy. "Thank you for… just being here."
"You're stuck with us, Broccoli Boy," Mei said, her voice soft. "No escape."
"Forever," Toga added, stroking his hair as he drifted off to sleep.
As his breathing slowed and evened out, Mei glanced at Toga and smirked. "So… what do we do now?"
Toga tilted her head. "Well, we could prank him while he's asleep, but…"
Mei shook her head. "Nah. Not today."
Instead, Mei picked up Izuku's phone, scrolling through his photos until she found the image of the beaten and bloodied Bakugo. A devilish grin spread across her face. "Oh, I have an idea."
"What's that?" Toga asked.
"T-shirts," Mei said simply.
The two worked quietly while Izuku slept, printing and customizing shirts with the image. Mei added bold text across the top: "DON'T MESS WITH QUIRKLESS BROCCOLI!" By the time they were done, they each had matching shirts and one for Izuku as well.
When Izuku finally stirred, he felt a hand stroking his hair. His head rested in Toga's lap, her soft humming lulling him awake. He blinked groggily, noticing her smile as she gazed down at him.
"Feeling better?" she asked.
"Yeah," he said, his voice still thick with sleep. "A lot better."
It wasn't until he sat up that he noticed her shirt. His eyes widened as he recognized the image. "Wait, is that…?"
"Yup!" Toga said proudly, standing up to show it off. "We made it just for you."
Izuku glanced down at his own chest and froze. He was wearing the same shirt. Across the room, Mei spun around dramatically, her shirt identical to theirs.
"Welcome back to the land of the living, Sparkling Broccoli Boy!" Mei announced, striking a ridiculous pose.
For a moment, Izuku just stared at them, dumbfounded. Then, the absurdity of it all hit him like a freight train. He burst out laughing, the sound loud and unrestrained. His shoulders shook, and tears rolled down his cheeks—not from sadness this time, but from genuine, unbridled amusement.
"You two are insane," he said between fits of laughter.
"That's why you love us," Mei said with a wink.
Toga nodded, her grin wide. "And we're not going anywhere."
Izuku had just finished cleaning up after their last invention test when Mei suddenly turned to him, her hands on her hips. "Alright, Daddy, we're taking a break from baby-making today."
Izuku immediately rushed over to her, concern flooding his face as he placed a hand on her forehead. "Are you okay? Are you sick? Do you have a fever? Should we—"
Mei's face turned beet red as she waved his hand away. "No, no! I'm fine! Geez, you're worse than a nurse. I just thought maybe I could take care of you for once. You know, be a good girlfriend. Or a good mom… for her Daddy."
Before Izuku could respond, Mei gave him a playful shove, causing him to tumble back onto the beanbag chair. She climbed onto his lap, her chest pressing against his as she leaned in with a mischievous grin.
"Let Mama take care of you," she said, her lips brushing against his before capturing them in a deep kiss. Her tongue teased his, playful and bold, and his hands instinctively moved to her waist. They traveled lower, earning a soft laugh from her.
"Oh, Daddy's feeling a little bold today, huh?" she teased, nipping at his lower lip.
"I—uh—just—" he stammered, his face burning as Mei smirked down at him.
Before things could escalate further, Toga appeared out of nowhere, grabbing Mei by the shoulders and playfully pushing her aside. "Alright, Pinky, my turn."
Mei pouted but rolled off him, sitting to the side as Toga climbed into Izuku's lap, her hands cradling his face. She pressed her lips against his, her kiss more passionate, more demanding. Her tail flicked behind her as her fox ears twitched, and she pulled back just enough to let him breathe.
"What do you think of my class so far?" she asked, her ears twitching cutely.
Izuku's face was red as he blinked up at her. "Y-You look… amazing. Beautiful, actually."
Toga grinned, her cheeks dusted with pink. "Good answer, Daddy."
Mei, who had been watching with crossed arms, leaned over and chimed in, "If she chooses the Kitsune class, we're definitely doing shrine maiden cosplay. Imagine it: Toga in a shrine maiden outfit, ears, tail, the whole thing."
Toga smirked, looking back at Mei. "And if I go with dragon, what then?"
Mei's eyes lit up. "Oh, I've already got a design!" She ran over to her workstation, rummaging around before pulling out a sketchpad. "Picture this: you, in full dragon form, with a massive machine gun mounted on your back. Speakers blasting heavy metal. Izuku here shreds on the guitar while I handle the turret."
She held up a rough sketch of the scene: Toga as a towering dragon, steam and fire billowing from her mouth, a massive turret on her back firing endless rounds. Izuku stood behind her, guitar in hand, his hair wild and his stance full of confidence, while Mei worked the machine gun controls from atop Toga's back.
Toga's eyes sparkled as she stared at the sketch. "That's… insane. I love it."
Izuku laughed, shaking his head. "It's definitely… creative. But yeah, I like it. Both ideas are great."
Mei grinned, sitting down beside him again. "I'm telling you, Daddy, whatever she picks, we're going all out. Shrine maiden or dragon warrior, it's gonna be epic."
Toga leaned closer to Izuku, her fox tail brushing against his leg as she smirked. "So, Daddy, what's your pick? Shrine maiden or heavy metal dragon?"
Izuku blinked, completely overwhelmed by their energy but unable to stop himself from laughing. "Honestly? I think I'd be happy with either. Both of you are incredible."
The girls exchanged a glance, both grinning ear to ear. Mei patted him on the shoulder. "Good answer, Daddy. Now, let's get to work on making those sketches a reality."
The blaring alarm sent a chill down the spine of Mei, her normally unshakeable demeanor replaced by pure panic. She spun toward Toga, who was lounging on the beanbag chair with Izuku sprawled out.
"Mom's here! Hide him!" Mei hissed.
Toga reacted instantly, yanking a blanket over Izuku from his neck to his toes. Just as she tucked in the last corner, the doorknob rattled, and Mei, thinking quickly, dove onto the beanbag chair, right onto Izuku's face.
Mei's mother was a striking figure as she entered the room, her presence commanding attention. She stood tall, with a lithe yet muscular frame that hinted at years of working with her hands. Her mechanic's outfit was practical yet stylish, with oil-stained overalls that hugged her well-defined shoulders and a fitted shirt underneath that accentuated her athletic build.
Her pink hair was unmistakable, cascading down her back in thick, slightly tousled waves, a shade so vivid it seemed to shimmer when the light hit it. Her complexion was flawless, her skin radiant and smooth, giving her an almost ethereal glow that contrasted sharply with the grease and smudges on her hands, a testament to her work ethic.
"Mei Hatsume," she began, her voice dripping with disapproval. "Why aren't you at school? Again?"
Mei sat straight-backed, her hands on her lap as though nothing was amiss. "I, uh… I wasn't feeling well," she stammered. "I've been… under the weather these past few days. You know, winter sniffles."
Her mother raised an eyebrow, her gaze narrowing suspiciously. She glanced around the room, her sharp eyes landing on the unusually large lump under the beanbag chair. She stepped closer.
"What's this?" Mei's mother asked, pointing at the obvious human-shaped bulge beneath her daughter. "A body warmer?"
Mei nodded rapidly. "Yes! A body warmer! Super cozy, great for circulation, keeps me comfortable when I'm sick."
She leaned in closer, her sharp eyes scrutinizing Mei's jittery posture. The tension in the air was thick as she reached down, her hand hovering near the lump in the chair. Mei held her breath, and Toga, trying her best not to cackle, pretended to be engrossed in a magazine.
Just as it seemed Mei's mom was about to pull back the blanket, she suddenly straightened up, a smirk on her face. "Fine. I'll let it slide—for now. But no more skipping school, Mei."
Mei let out a relieved sigh, almost too soon.
Her mom raised a finger, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "Oh, and one more thing—if you're going to sit on that boy's face any longer, make sure he doesn't run out of air."
Mei yelped, jumping off the beanbag chair so fast she nearly tripped over her own feet. "You knew?!" she exclaimed, her face as red as a cherry.
Her mom chuckled, hands on her hips. "Of course I knew. Do you really think you're that sneaky? Honestly, Mei, I don't mind you having boys over. Just keep your measurements with their clothes on, okay?"
Mei froze, recalling a particularly awkward memory. "Oh my god, Mom, we agreed to never talk about that again! And yes, yes, clothes stay on!"
Her mom shook her head with a teasing grin. "You're just like a normal girl after all. Sneaking boys over, trying to act cool about it. I'm surprised I don't hear more explosions with how often you're tinkering."
Mei huffed. "I'm taking a break today! I wanted to cheer him up!" She gestured to Izuku, who was still sprawled on the beanbag, looking entirely flustered and out of his element.
Her mom tilted her head, staring at Mei like she'd grown another arm. "Cheering him up? Are you sick? Mei, you hate taking breaks."
She moved closer, scooping up Mei like she weighed nothing and pressing her forehead against hers. "No fever… Oh no, this is worse! My little tornado actually cares about someone else's feelings! She's… considerate!"
"Mom, put me down!" Mei protested, squirming in her mom's arms.
Her mom ignored her, turning her attention to Izuku, who looked like he wanted to sink into the floor. "You. Marry her. Please. You have my blessing, and I'll even throw in her father's too."
Izuku's face turned crimson as Mei let out a horrified squawk. "MOM!"
"Yes! I'm going to embarrass you, Mei!" her mom declared proudly. "It's my job as a mother! I can finally do that now, unlike how you embarrass me all the time."
Toga, who had been snickering from the sidelines, finally burst into laughter. "This is the best thing I've ever seen."
Mei turned to glare at her. "Not helping, Toga!"
Toga just grinned. "Oh, don't mind me. I'm just enjoying the show."
Izuku, despite his embarrassment, couldn't help but chuckle at the absurdity of the situation. Mei's mom beamed, clearly satisfied with the chaos she'd caused.
"You're lucky, Mei. You've got a good one," she said with a wink before heading toward the door. "Now, both of you—no skipping school! And I better see some wedding plans in the next few years!"
Mei groaned, covering her face. "I'm so moving out."
Her mother chuckled, leaning casually against the doorframe. "You're always saying that, sweetheart. What's the excuse this time?" Her voice was rich and warm, filled with teasing affection.
Mei sighed dramatically, waving her hand toward Izuku. "Because my future husband needs his space, duh."
Izuku nearly choked, his face turning bright red. "Wait—what?!"
Mei's mother raised an eyebrow and crossed the room, extending her hand toward Izuku. "So, you're the one my little whirlwind has latched onto. Nice to meet you. Name's Reina Hatsume," she said with a charming smile. Her handshake was firm and confident, her pink hair falling gracefully around her shoulders as she examined him like she was sizing up a piece of machinery. "You've got guts sticking around this one."
Izuku managed to mumble a polite greeting, still flustered by the unexpected introduction. "I-It's nice to meet you, ma'am."
"Ma'am?" Reina scoffed playfully. "Call me Reina. 'Ma'am' makes me sound old."
Before Izuku could respond, Mei practically skipped to a nearby desk, pulling out a large binder with a triumphant grin. "Perfect timing, Mom! I was just going over some ideas. Since we're serious now—" she paused to give Izuku a wink, "—we need to move out. You know, my future husband and all."
Reina's eyes narrowed with mock suspicion. "Oh? And where exactly are you planning to live?"
Mei flipped the binder open, pointing to a series of glossy apartment listings. "Here, here, or here. This one's perfect—a converted warehouse near a junkyard. Plenty of space for my babies."
Reina took the binder, flipping through the pages as Izuku stood there, still processing Mei's audacious declarations. "These look pricey," Reina commented, glancing at her daughter. "I don't think you two can afford this."
Mei smirked and turned toward Izuku, smacking him lightly on the backside. "Come on, sugar daddy, pop some money!"
Izuku's face went from red to crimson as he groaned. "You're never going to stop calling me that, are you?"
"Nope!" Mei chirped.
"Fine, fine," Izuku relented, reaching into his pocket. He pulled out several neatly bound stacks of yen and placed them on the table. "I've been busy… working."
Reina's jaw dropped slightly as she stared at the stacks of cash. "Well, I'll be… You've been holding out, haven't you?"
Mei squealed with delight, throwing her arms around Izuku in a tight hug. "That's my sugar daddy! You're the best!"
She grabbed one of the stacks, fanning herself with it. Reina quickly smacked her on the back of the head. "Stop that. You look ridiculous."
Mei rubbed the back of her head, muttering under her breath. Reina turned back to Izuku, her expression softening. "Alright, since you've got the funds, I guess I can approve. Is there any place in particular you want me to lease?"
Mei jabbed her finger at the binder. "This one! I've already been in touch with the owner. They're fine with us taking it as long as we pay up."
Reina studied the listing, then nodded thoughtfully. "A warehouse, huh? Lots of space for you two to tinker. Alright, I'll take care of the paperwork. But remember—you're footing the bill."
"Deal!" Mei beamed, practically bouncing in excitement.
As Reina turned to leave, she paused and glanced back at her daughter. "Oh, and don't skip school anymore. Remember, the science fair's in two weeks. If you win—like you always do—you'll get that trip to David Shield's expo on I-Island."
Mei's eyes widened. "Oh my gosh, I completely forgot! I need to prep for that. Thanks for the reminder, Mom."
Reina smirked. "Don't mention it. Just don't screw up, alright? Now, I'll be in the garage working on my own babies. Don't do anything too crazy, you two."
As Reina walked out, Mei turned back to Izuku, practically vibrating with excitement. "Alright! Let's get this moving. We've got a warehouse to claim and a science fair to crush!"
Izuku smiled faintly, his stress from earlier easing as he watched Mei's infectious enthusiasm. "Yeah, let's do it."
The trio headed to the warehouse
As they made their way toward the warehouse, Mei practically danced ahead of the group, her excitement bubbling over. She twirled, giggled, and gestured wildly as she talked. "Okay, so technically, we're not just renting this place. I convinced the owner to let us start a mortgage on it! He barely uses it, and it's more of a hassle for him to maintain, so he's letting us buy it out. Isn't that amazing?"
She stopped in front of the warehouse, practically bouncing on her toes as she pointed at the building. "It's perfect! Technically, it'll be under my mom's name for now, but it'll be ours eventually. I mean, mine. Wait, no, I mean ours!"
Mei bent down, rummaging under a fake rock near the entrance, and retrieved the key. She grinned triumphantly and held it up like a treasure. "And now, behold! Our future!"
Izuku chuckled at her infectious energy, while Toga leaned on the doorframe with her usual mischievous smile. Mei unlocked the door and pushed it open with a flourish, revealing a cavernous space inside.
The interior had a rugged charm—high ceilings with steel beams, expansive floor space, and enough room to house both Mei's chaotic inventing zone and comfortable living areas. Mei stepped inside, turning in a circle as she pointed out her vision for the place. "Alright, listen up! Beanbag chairs go there, gaming setup there. That corner will be the testing area. Over here, we'll put storage racks for materials, and the back room can be for spare parts and prototypes. It's perfect!"
Izuku nodded in agreement, impressed by her vision. Toga, meanwhile, clapped her hands, her voice dripping with playful sarcasm. "Wow, Mei, you've got this all figured out. Are we gonna get a butler next, or is that gonna be you, Izuku?"
Mei ignored Toga, her hands on her hips as she surveyed the space like a queen surveying her kingdom. "This is gonna be amazing. Izuku, you know I love you, right? Like, love love. This is all thanks to you, and Mama's really happy right now. Like, so happy, Mama wants a baby. A real one. Not metal—just flesh."
Her face turned beet red as her own words registered. "Wait, no! That's not what I meant! Not like that! Forget I said that! Oh my god—" Mei slapped her hands over her mouth, her eyes wide.
Toga, doubling over with laughter, leaned against Izuku for support. "Oh, this is too good. Mei, you're killing me! You should keep going. Don't hold back now!"
"Shut up, Toga!" Mei whined, her face so red it rivaled a fire engine. "I didn't mean it like that! I'm serious!"
Izuku, trying and failing to suppress a laugh, patted her shoulder. "It's okay, Mei. I know what you meant. Sort of."
Toga wiped away tears of laughter. "Oh, this is priceless. We're keeping this memory forever."
After they finally settled down, Mei pulled out the agreement papers. "Alright, so here's the deal." She pointed to the number at the bottom, showing the cost. "It's a lot, but it's worth it. And with all your dungeon crawling, Izuku, we can make it work."
Izuku studied the papers and gave a decisive nod. "Yeah, this is doable. I can clear a few more dungeons and cover it. Let's do it."
Mei squealed, throwing her arms around him. "Yes! This is gonna be perfect. Thank you, Izuku!"
They spent the next hour wandering around the space, imagining their future setup, joking, and laughing together. For a moment, all the stress of their lives melted away as they focused on building something new and exciting.
Eventually, they returned to the shack, exhausted but happy. Izuku felt at peace surrounded by them, the anger and pain of the past easing away in their company. They all talked late into the night, sharing dreams and plans until sleep finally overtook them.
Later, unable to sleep, Izuku stared at his phone. His thumb hovered over an old photo of himself in an All Might onesie, grinning ear to ear while his mother beamed beside him. He stared at it for a long moment before standing and stepping outside into the cool night air.
He dialed his mother's number. The phone rang only once before she answered, her voice wary but hopeful. "Izuku? Are you staying at your friend's place again tonight?"
He hesitated for just a moment before replying softly, "Yeah, Mom. I'll stay with my friends tonight."
The silence between them was heavy, stretching longer than Izuku was comfortable with. Finally, his mother broke it, her voice trembling. "Are you really moving out?"
Izuku took a deep breath, leaning back against the cool metal of the shack's door. "Yes, Mom. I have to."
Her sharp intake of breath was audible, and for a moment, she didn't say anything. When she spoke again, her words were uneven, her voice heavy with emotion. "I... I just... don't know what to do. This is all happening so fast. I'm trying to come to terms with the fact that my little boy... my baby... is growing up into a young man. And now you're just... moving out? You're not even giving me a chance to fix this."
Her words broke into sobs, and Izuku clenched his fist, his head falling forward. He could feel the weight of her tears over the line, each one pulling at his heart. "Mom," he said softly, his voice strained, "I need this. It's not about you. It's not about anyone else. It's about me. I have problems I need to fix. I can't do that if I stay. I love you—I really do. I don't know if I've been saying it right, or if it even comes across with how I've been acting lately, but I do love you."
She let out a shaky breath, but he didn't stop. "I just... I can't keep doing the same thing. I can't keep coming back here and feeling like I'm always in the wrong, like nothing I do will ever be enough. What I did to him," his voice cracked slightly, "yeah, it was brutal. Disgusting, even. But... he did worse to me, Mom. He did it to your son. And still, you—"
He caught himself, biting back the words that threatened to spill out. His mother sobbed openly now, her pain spilling through the phone. "I love you, Izuku. My baby boy. But you're not a baby anymore, are you? You're... you're growing up, and I can't stop that. I just... I failed you. I see that now. I didn't do what I should have as a mother, and now you're—"
"Stop," Izuku interrupted, his voice firm but kind. "You didn't fail me. You just... made mistakes. We both did. But I need this, Mom. I need to get away, to find myself. Maybe one day, when we've both worked on ourselves, things can be better."
She sniffled loudly, her voice breaking again. "Mitsuki... she told me everything after she got the truth out of him. About what he did to you. And she wasn't even upset with you, Izuku. She was laughing. She said he deserved every bit of what you gave him. She even said he needed the beating years ago. And all this time, I've been defending him... I'm so sorry."
Izuku closed his eyes, the tension in his chest easing slightly. "Yeah," he said, his voice softer now. "I know you'll do better. I believe that. And one day... I'd love to see it."
His mother hiccupped between her tears. "I love you, Izuku. So much. More than anything."
He smiled faintly, the ache in his chest mingling with warmth. "I love you too, Mom. I have to go now. I've got school tomorrow, and... I'm getting tired."
She hesitated, as though she didn't want to let him go, but finally said, "Alright. Goodnight, Izuku."
"Goodnight, Mom."
He ended the call, leaning back against the door again and staring up at the stars. The cool night air brushed against his face, and he let out a long sigh. He felt like things might be okay. Or maybe not. But at least he was trying. That had to count for something.
Izuku leaned back against the door of the shack, the cool night air brushing his face. The weight of his conversation with his mother still clung to him, heavy but oddly freeing. Just as he was about to head back inside, he heard light footsteps from around the corner of the shack. He turned his head and saw Toga approaching.
"How'd you get out?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Window," she said casually, plopping down next to him.
"Oh." He blinked, caught off guard by her nonchalant response. "Makes sense."
She didn't say anything more, simply reached out and intertwined her fingers with his. Her hand was warm, grounding him in the moment. For once, there was no chaos, no sharp jokes or wild antics—just quiet support. She wasn't prying, wasn't asking him to explain anything. She was simply there, and that was enough.
Izuku smiled softly, feeling the tension in his chest ease just a little. "Hey," he began awkwardly, scratching the back of his neck. "I've been thinking about something. I just—I don't know how to say it, but here goes." He coughed nervously. "When I saved you, and you said you liked me... I mean, I get it. You were in a bad spot, and I helped you. But... was that why? Like, was it just because I saved you? Or... I don't know, are your feelings really... real?" He groaned. "Okay, I'm explaining this terribly. Sorry, I'm rambling—"
Toga placed her head gently on his shoulder, cutting him off. "I get it," she said softly. "You're worried I only like you because you saved me. That's fair. Maybe that's true. But," she tilted her head to look at him, a small smile on her lips, "I want to stay with you until I figure out what my feelings really are. Is that okay?"
Izuku let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. "Yeah," he said with a small nod. "That's okay."
Toga grinned, her usual playfulness creeping back. "Oh, by the way, I've decided on my class!" she announced, swishing her tail behind her.
"Oh?" Izuku raised an eyebrow. "What's it gonna be?"
"Dragon!" she said enthusiastically, then immediately hesitated. "Wait, maybe Kitsune... Oh! But Dragon gives me wings. I've always wanted to fly! But Kitsune lets me mess with people's heads, and illusions are so fun... Ugh, but Dragons are so cool! Maybe... Kitsune? Or Dragon? Or..."
Izuku couldn't help but chuckle as she debated with herself. She paced in front of him, her tail flicking wildly as she gestured with her hands, talking through every possible angle. Suddenly, a system notification appeared in front of her.
Notification: Hybrid class available. Note: Combining classes will limit the potential of both.
Toga's eyes lit up as she read the description:
Kitsune: Spellcasting class specializing in illusion and fire magic.
Dragon: Tank class excelling in physical defense and transformation.
Hybrid: Lose access to greater illusion magic and dragon breath weapons. Gain Foxfire in dragon form, minor illusions, shapeshifting, and dragon transformations.
She clapped her hands together, excited. "Wow! This is amazing—they made this just for me!"
Another notification popped up.
Notification: I did this because you were taking too damn long.
Toga gasped, her jaw dropping. "How rude! Okay, but seriously, Izuku, what do you think?"
Izuku laughed, shaking his head. "I think you should make up your mind before the system yells at you again."
Before Toga could reply, another notification appeared.
Notification: Make up your damn mind.
She crossed her arms, pouting. "Fine, fine! I'll choose the class!" With a dramatic flourish, she pressed the button to confirm the hybrid option.
Immediately, the air shimmered around them, and they were transported into a dungeon. Toga gasped as she looked down at herself. Fox ears twitched atop her head, and her tail swished behind her. "Okay," she said, holding her arms out, "but why am I shorter? I thought I'd keep the dragon's height!"
Her outfit had changed too—a flowing shroud of white and red adorned with intricate dragon designs. She held a wooden wand in her hand, decorated with two shide paper streamers, the tip glowing with a blue flame.
Izuku smiled at her. "You look great."
Toga grinned back at him. "Damn right I do."
A growl interrupted them, and they turned to see a cobalt-blue dragonling stalking toward them. Toga pointed her wand and, with a flick, sent a blast of Foxfire straight through its chest, leaving a smoldering hole. The dragonling collapsed, and a notification appeared.
Reward: Cobalt Bracelet – 10 Physical Damage for Natural Weapons.
Toga picked up the bracelet, admiring it. "Okay, this class is awesome," she said with a wide grin. "This is just the beginning, right?"
Izuku nodded, watching as she practiced with her new abilities. "Just the beginning."
Toga held out her wand, focusing her energy. A massive fireball crackled into existence at the tip of the wand, glowing with intense heat. "Let's see what this baby can do," she said with a mischievous grin. With a flick of her wrist, the fireball shot out, slamming into the far wall of the dungeon with a deafening roar and leaving a scorched mark behind.
"Okay, cool," she said, inspecting her wand. "That's definitely useful." She turned to Izuku, who gave her a thumbs up from the sidelines.
"Nice shot!" he called out, genuinely impressed.
She shifted her focus to her new abilities, activating her minor illusions. A shimmering copy of herself appeared next to her, mirroring her movements. "Nice," she muttered, watching it closely. She then transformed into her hybrid dragon form. Her body grew larger, her skin taking on a slightly scaly texture, her claws extending. She grinned. "Okay, now for the real test."
As she tried to cast another illusion spell, nothing happened. She frowned, concentrating harder, but it was clear—the hybrid form didn't allow for illusion spells. "So, no illusions in this form," she noted, glancing at Izuku. "Just pure tankiness."
"That's not a bad trade-off," he said, crossing his arms. "You're pretty unstoppable like this."
She cleared the remaining two rooms of the dungeon with ease, bulldozing through enemies with her dragon-powered melee attacks and scorching them with Foxfire. While she didn't find any armor, she did pick up a necklace that boosted her illusion capabilities and a headband that increased her fire damage. She wore them proudly, admiring the way they complemented her abilities.
"Alright, not bad for a quick dungeon run," she said, dusting off her hands. A notification popped up.
Level Up!
Toga has reached Level 2.
New Skill Unlocked: Dragon Wings – Your hybrid form now includes functional wings, granting the ability to fly.
Toga's eyes sparkled as she read the notification. "I can fly now!" she shouted, excitement bubbling over. She immediately transformed into her hybrid form, unfurling her wings. With a powerful flap, she launched herself into the air, zipping around the sky with glee.
"This is amazing!" she yelled, laughing as she swooped around the room.
Izuku looked up at her, a proud smile on his face—until his eyes widened, and his face turned beet red. He immediately looked down at the ground, covering his face with his hands.
"Hey, look up!" Toga called, noticing his reaction. "What's wrong?"
"I can't!" Izuku stammered, his voice muffled. "You're... you're wearing a skirt!"
Toga's face turned crimson as she realized what he meant. She quickly landed, smacking him on the chest repeatedly. "Pervert! Pervert! Pervert!" she shouted, though her voice was more flustered than angry.
Izuku held up his hands defensively, his face still red. "I wasn't trying to! I swear!"
"Let's just go to sleep," Toga huffed, crossing her arms and turning away.
As they headed back into the shack, Izuku mumbled, "Cute bear, though."
Toga froze, then spun around, delivering a quick slap to the back of his head. "Pervert!" she yelled again, her ears twitching furiously. But despite herself, she couldn't help the small smile tugging at her lips as they settled in for the night.
Izuku sat up in bed, his system menu glowing faintly in the dim room. He finally hit level ten, and two new skills appeared on his screen. He grinned, eager to inspect them.
Psychic Constructs:
Create objects out of psychic energy.
Base cost: 10 MP (depending on size).
For attacking constructs: 100 MP.
Damage equals Izuku's physical damage stats.
All physical skills apply to these constructs.
Wrapping constructs around limbs boosts physical damage by 1.5x.
Flurry of Blows:
Doubles movement speed for 10 seconds.
1.5x bonus damage to physical attacks.
Charges: 3.
Cooldown: 10 minutes (1 charge regenerates per 10 minutes).
He clenched his fists, imagining the potential combinations with his current skills. "This is going to be fun," he whispered, a determined grin spreading across his face. With that, he kissed Mei and Toga on their foreheads, holding them close as he drifted into a contented sleep.
The next morning
The morning sun was just starting to warm the air as Izuku walked alongside Mei and Toga, who were deeply engrossed in their newest idea.
"So, I'm thinking," Mei said, gesturing animatedly with her hands, "we mount a fully automated machine gun on Toga's hybrid dragon form. Then, we add a secondary system for Foxfire-infused rounds!"
Toga clapped her hands together, her eyes gleaming. "Oh, and speakers! We need speakers that play music—loud, epic battle music!"
Izuku smiled, shaking his head. "You two are absolutely terrifying."
As he turned the corner, his smile faded. Ahead, standing with her usual confident posture, was Itsuka Kendo. Her orange hair caught the sunlight, and she had her arms crossed as she leaned against the school gate, clearly waiting. Izuku took a deep breath.
"I'll be right back," he muttered to the girls, who exchanged curious glances but stayed back.
As Izuku approached, Itsuka straightened up, her fists tightening. "Oh, look who's finally manning up," she said, a challenging edge in her voice.
He held up his hands in a gesture of peace. "Hey, I'm sorry about yesterday. I was going through a lot—personal stuff. I didn't mean to scare you or overreact. That was my bad. As for slamming your head into the sign... yeah, I'm not gonna lie, I don't feel too bad about that part since you attacked me first. But I still hope we can forgive and forget."
Itsuka scoffed, rolling her shoulders. "Scared? You think I was scared? No way. I was looking for a fight. And now, I've got an idea to settle this."
Izuku sighed. "Itsuka, look, I'm not interested in fighting you. I just want to make peace. I'm not really into hurting people."
She laughed bitterly, pointing a finger at him. "Yeah, like the kid you mangled into a bloody pulp? You expect me to believe that? Besides, this isn't just about you scaring me—or that ridiculous photo. This is about my dojo. You waltzed in and bodied ten of my classmates like it was nothing. As a warrior and a future hero, I can't just let that slide."
He frowned, his eyes narrowing slightly. "And let's not forget, you stood me up. You didn't even show up for our fight."
Izuku let out a deep breath, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Fine, I get it. Rooftop, after school. But how's the back of your head? I mean, I kinda... you know... slammed it into a sign."
She frowned and pointed to the spot. "It still stings, thanks for asking."
Without a word, Izuku reached out and lightly touched her head with his finger. A soft green glow emanated from his hand. Itsuka flinched and stepped back, her eyes wide. "What the—"
"Relax," Izuku said, pulling his hand away. "I just used a healing ability. Should feel better now."
She hesitated, then gingerly touched the spot herself. The pain was gone. "I thought you were quirkless," she said, her voice low and suspicious.
Izuku flashed her a small, smug smile. "The old me liked to hide. Not this one. So, get ready for the rooftop later. I'll be there."
He turned and walked away, leaving Itsuka and her friends staring after him. Mei and Toga joined him, exchanging looks of amusement.
Itsuka scowled, her cheeks flushing with frustration. "Smug bastard," she muttered under her breath. "I'll wipe that smile off your face."
One of her friends chuckled nervously. "He seems... different. You sure about this, Kendo?"
"Oh, I'm sure," she snapped, clenching her fists. "He's going down."
Author's NotesThank you for sticking with the story! Next chapter is shaping up to be intense with Izuku vs. Itsuka in a brutal showdown. Both characters have their motivations, and I plan to make this fight as grounded yet impactful as possible. Itsuka will push herself to the limits, showcasing her skills as a martial artist and how far she'll go to protect her honor and dojo.
On the third girl front, I'm leaning towards Kinoko Komori (Mushroom Girl). She's quirky and underappreciated, and the idea of turning her into a Druid class with a fungal theme sounds fun and unique. The mushroom dance possibilities are endless, and it would add some humor and versatility to the group dynamics. But don't worry, I'm still open to suggestions!
As for the Karate Queen, I think she could play a pivotal role in Izuku's growth as a friend and rival rather than a love interest. A strong rival dynamic could bring out the best in both characters, especially since they have similar goals of keeping others in line. I also like the idea of her having a crush on Neito Monoma (our chaotic, mouthy blonde copycat). It'd be a fun way to showcase her softer side while adding some comedic moments.
I'll also dial back on the mom drama for now. After such an intense chapter, it's time for some breathing room and character focus elsewhere. We might get a hospital visit for Bakugo, though, because who doesn't love seeing karma in action?
As always, your support keeps this going. Let's see who comes out on top in this fight: Broccoli Boy or Karate Queen! Keep the suggestions and feedback coming!