Homicide Detective and member of Super Hero Relations and Support Inko Midoriya stormed into U.A. medical with a single mission in mind: to see her son. There may have been a secondary motivation to find those responsible for putting her son in the Medical Wing and putting them in the I.C.U.
Detective Naomasa saw her coming, "Inko, you need to calm down." Inko raised an eyebrow, "You can't be a part of this investigation; your son was involved, which puts you too close to the case."
"Have you questioned him?" Inko said, her fury palatable.
"No, he is still unconscious," Naomasa said.
"Then I will go sit with him now, excuse me," Inko said. Naomasa still had his hand before her. Inko looked at it and then at him, raising an eyebrow. "Naomasa, move out of my way, or I will move you. You are incapable of stopping me from being with my son, physically or legally."
Naomasa and Inko stared at each other for a moment before he stepped aside, and she walked past to her son's room. When she entered, she saw Chiyo standing beside the bed, looking over his vitals and reading his chart. "Inko dear," Chiyo said. "Your son is fine, he was not seriously injured it is exhaustion, he overused his quirk again."
Inko visibly relaxed. "What happened Chiyo?"
"Villain attack," Chiyo responded. "I don't have the details; they are looking into the how and why. Your son got out in decent shape, but others weren't so lucky."
Inko felt her fury take a notch down; her son was uninjured, but there were other children the same age as her son who had not been so lucky. Inko walked over and stood at the side of Izuku's bed; she gently took his hand and watched as, like clockwork, his eyes fluttered open. "Mom?"
"Just wanted to check on you, baby," Inko whispered. "I have to go to work."
"Okay," Izuku managed, his eyes already closing. "Go get them, mom."
"I promise," Inko said.
Inko released his hand, took a deep breath, and then walked back out, finding Naomasa talking with an officer. She waited until he turned to her, "Sorry for the mother bear," Inko said. "I know I can't investigate, but what can I do to help."
"Thank you for the apology," Naomasa said. "If you could accompany Officer Taka, they could use some help in gathering statements from the uninjured so they can be released."
It wasn't till late that Izuku fully regained consciousness. Once he was alert and cleared, he could give his statement to Detective Naomasa. Though delayed, Izuku was concerned for his classmates, wanting to ensure they were okay.
"It is good to see you again, Detective," Izuku said with a slight smile as he sat up; his mother sat beside his bed.
Naomasa liked Izuku; he had a bit of a mischievous streak. He occasionally broke the rules, but overall, he was a great kid. Izuku had practically grown up at the prescient; he pulled out his notepad and set the recorder on the tray between them. "I am Detective Naomasa Tsukauchi, speaking with Izuku Midoriya. I am here to take your statement. As you are aware, my quirk is that of a lie detector. Let the record show that your mother is present, Detective Inko Midoriya." Naomasa said. "Now, Mr. Midoriya, would you please explain in your own words what happened today."
Izuku sat back and gave his statement, leaving out the flirting with Ochaco, whom he was relieved to hear, though severely injured, was expected to make a full recovery. Izuku went over the entire attack at the USJ with the escaped convicts, detailing how the villains seemed to have been placed in locations that would benefit them. At the same time, the students had been scattered at random. It was the battle in the plaza and the Nomu that the Detective was keenly focused on, particularly when Izuku bit the head of the Nomu and killed it.
Izuku paused, "It was dead already."
"What do you mean?" Inko pressed.
"Whatever that thing was, it wasn't alive," Izuku said. "When I charged it as a Triceratops, I stabbed it, and when I tasted a bit of the "blood," I knew this thing wasn't alive. It was too strong for us to combat; it had hyper regeneration, but its exposed brain seemed like a logical target as most quirks even regeneration cannot function without the brain." Izuku shuddered, "Once I took its head, I knew my hypothesis was right, it tasted like dead material."
"Then what did you do?" Naomasa asked.
"Well, Mom and Himiko told me that if you can remove the leader or take out their strongest member, you can sometimes intimidate the others into surrendering," Izuku said. "Took a stance over my classmates and roared/threatened them. They surrendered as the Faculty arrived and started taking them into custody. Still, with the villains under control and the threats neutralized, the adrenaline fled, and I couldn't keep my form up any longer. Large forms like the dinosaurs or megalodons take a lot of energy."
"Were you actively trying to kill villains other than the Nomu?" Naomasa pressed.
"No," Izuku said defensively. "I could have as they had made their intentions for killing us clearly, even at the plaza. Though I was aware they would be severely injured during Operation Dumbo Drop, my concern was more for my classmates and their safety than the welfare of the villains. I only intended to Kill the Nomu as it posed the most lethal threat, and I didn't feel we could properly contain it otherwise."
"What if you were wrong and the Nomu was 'alive'?" Naomasa pressed.
"Well, I would be shocked, but I stand by my decision," Izuku said. "The damage and threat that the Nomu showed was well above the parameters to authorize lethal force if I was a member of the Police or any law enforcement agency. As a private citizen in fear for my life, that threshold is much lower."
"Well said," Naomasa said, looking at Inko.
"I don't take any pride in this Detective," Izuku said, catching his attention. "Even though it was already dead, that makes dealing with my actions a bit easier, but it doesn't feel me with pride."
"Even better," Naomasa said. "You are clear to leave; we will contact you if we have any further questions."
"You ready to go home?" Inko said, rubbing Izuku's back.
"Yeah, today…I don't even know," Izuku said quietly. "I got hit on by Ochaco; she is definitely interested, attacked by escaped convicts, bit the head of a living dead thing, and may have confessed to the girl who just may be my Haley's comet." Izuku paused, "I feel bad going home knowing that so many others are not."
"U.A. has already sent all those not seriously injured home," Inko replied. "Many others wanted to stay, but now is the time to be with family." Izuku could only nod. "I ordered you two bottles of mouthwash that we can pick up. Mrs. Sasaki sent you a large pot of Miso soup, and we can pick up some takeout on the way home from Kobayashi's."
"Okay, Mom," Izuku answered.
Setsuna
Setsuna has spent most of the night cuddling with her parents and even her older sister. It was nice to help deal with what was supposed to be the greatest day ever but is now ranked as the worst. But it wasn't the worst day over as though some of her classmates and those in 1-A had been severely wounded; they were all expected to make a full physical recovery. A mental recovery was something a bit else.
Haunted. It was a look Setsuna had never seen before; she had read about it in books or seen it portrayed in movies, but seeing it in person altered what those other references meant. Seeing the haunted look on so many of her classmate's faces was something she could not and would never forget. Hearing the broken sobs on the bus ride home was truly haunting. She could hear some of them talking to themselves about no other choice, that they had no other choice. The worst was hearing Tetsu say the same thing on the ride home.
It was hard to reconcile that, seeing them collapse into their parent's arms and sob, or worse yet, seeing them flinch at their parent's touch. It brought home how, while Manga had been shot, there were those in other zones that had gone through so much worse.
Seeing Niren, Yui, and Ochaco being rushed out by emergency medical services and them not being able to go home was enough to make Set nearly break down. Seeing their parents looking so helpless as there was nothing they could do but sit and wait. It wasn't just them but so many others, Reiko, Sato, Mezo, Vlad King, Mr. Aizawa, and others. At least Itsuka had woken up before Set and Momo were forced to leave; she was being kept overnight due to the multiple cuts.
It was hard to even take joy because Izuku confessed that she was the girl who stole his breath away. It felt magical in that brief moment, but seeing all the pain and anguish had dampened that; it even made her feel a bit guilty for having any sort of good memory about the USJ at all.
Now, after she had smiled and told her parents good night, she could only think about her friends, her classmates, those in 1-A, and, of course, Izuku Midoriya. She looked at the group text; she had been thrilled to see him message that he had been released and was heading home with his mother, but other than some sporadic responses here and there, he was quiet. Instead, Set focused on the other chat between her, Momo, Itsuka, and Tetsu.
Tetsu was having a hard time; he opened up to the girls that during his fight, he had killed someone. While he understood that the villain was trying to kill him…
It was hard, knowing that her friend was suffering and that there wasn't much she could do but offer her ear. They were happy to get him to answer the group call, so they could not just send words of comfort but offer him their voices. It was well past 3 a.m. before Tetsu finally fell asleep, and they all dropped off the call to seek refuge in dreamland. Little did she know that Izuku's silence was because he was doing the same with Neito; he and Awase were doing all they could to comfort their friend.
As Set lay in bed, and just as sleep was about to calm her, she drifted to the one happy memory of today, hoping it would ward off any nightmares. Of her Adonis, her Izuku told her that Setsuna had stolen his breath away. Just as he had done to her.
Dinner and a Movie
Ochaco looked at the clock and sighed. She was supposed to go on her date with Izuku today. She was happy that he had called her to check on her, to see how she was feeling. The USJ had been a nightmare, the battle with real villains, fighting to survive, only to survive by the skin of their teeth. They would have died if it wasn't for Dark Shadow, Fumi, Kyoka, Ibarra, and Eijiro. Even after the treatment from Recovery Girl and sleeping, she could almost still feel those blades piercing her body.
The hardest part was trying not to show that to her parents or reveal that fear to them. But her mother saw it, her father felt it, and they just sat there silently, holding Ochaco till she broke down. Till the emotions couldn't be held back any longer, she balled. It was this release of all that fear of how, in a mere moment, it was all about to be taken away.
Now, sitting here, her parents had gone to the hotel to shower and get changed before they got back, and she could feel the surging of emotions building up inside. A gentle knock at the door helped her pull herself together. She knew it wasn't the medical staff. Their knock was more forceful, but they would then enter.
The door opens slowly. What caught her attention was the smell of bacon deluxe chili fries from Big Belly Burger, followed by a familiar voice. "Ochaco?"
"Izuku?" Ochaco said, sitting up and trying to straighten her hair.
"It's me," Izuku said. "Is it okay if I come in?"
"Sure," Ochaco said, praying she didn't look horrible. Sure enough, it was Izuku. He was carrying a few bags from Big Belly Burger and a backpack. "What are you doing here?"
"I checked with Recovery Girl and your parents, and they said it would be okay if I smuggled some food for you," Izuku said. "I also brought my laptop. I know it wasn't what either of us had planned, but if it is okay with you, I thought we could have some food and maybe watch a movie."
"I would like that," Ochaco said, blushing. "What did you bring?"
"Well, I asked your parents, and I brought you a double patty triple cheese deluxe with bacon, deluxe bacon chili fries, and a large chocolate shake," Izuku said with a large smile.
"What about you?" Ochaco said, looking at the bags with a near-naked want.
"I got a triple deluxe garden burger, onion rings, and a large strawberry soda!" Izuku responded. "For Movies, we have all the streaming services, or we can even watch At Horizon's Edge."
"I like that one," Ochaco said. "Can I ask why are you doing all this?"
"I can't say I know what you went through or how that makes you feel, but I do know that it leaves behind these very intense emotions that can feel overwhelming," Izuku said. "It may not be much, but having a distraction of food and a movie can bring peace, even for a few hours."
"…thank you, Izuku," Ochaco said as he handed her food and set up his laptop.
"You welcome, Ochaco," Izuku responded.
"Are you going to ask?" Ochaco whispered.
"No," Izuku said. "I don't want to pry, and this is about you forgetting a little bit. All I know and care about is that you made it out of there alive."
"Thank you, Izuku," Ochaco said.
She liked that they made small talk as they ate, her even dipping out of her normal eating to steal an onion ring from a fake pouting Izuku. Ochaco had to admit she was more distracted stealing looks at him while the movie was playing than watching the movie. When the credits rolled, she watched him pack everything up, a little sad that he couldn't stay longer.
"Izuku," Ochaco said a bit nervously. "I wish we could go on our actual date, but this is one of the sweetest things that anyone has ever done for me."
"I am glad you liked it," Izuku said softly.
"I like you, Izuku," Ochaco said, her eyes shut tight. "Would you go out with me?" She opened one eye to peek at him. She watched as Izuku paused and put his laptop away in his bag.
"I think you are a very nice Ochaco," he said. As he began to speak, Ochaco felt her chest tighten. "You have a great personality, are very pretty, and just have this nature about you that I find appealing."
"But?" Ochaco said.
"We don't know each other very well," Izuku said. "If we got to know each other better, then that would be something I could consider. But while I understand the courage it takes to confess to someone, I hate to say that I can't be that person for you."
"Is there someone else?" Ochaco said after a moment.
"No and yes," Izuku said looking at her. "There is a girl who stole my breath away the first time I saw her, but she is in love with someone else. I hope that we can still get to know each other better. As I said, you think you are a great person and will be an exceptional hero one day. I want us to at least be friends. I don't want you to feel or be a someone's second choice. You are too special for that."
"Just friends?" Ochaco said, trying to keep her emotions in check.
"I hope that is alright, I know that it may take time," Izuku said. "I am sorry, Ochaco."
"That girl is a fool then," Ochaco said.
"We can't control who we fall for," Izuku said. "I am sorry that this didn't all go to plan, but I hope I could provide a distraction for a little bit."
"You did, Izuku," Ochaco replied. "Like I said, it was the sweetest thing anyone has done for me. So thank you."
"You are welcome," Izuku said as he approached the door. "I wish I could return your feelings, Ochaco."
"I do, too," Ochaco whispered as the door closed. Ochaco sat, leaned back, and brought her arm over her face as she shed a few tears. "Damn it," she muttered.
A Girl and her Baby Dinosaur
Setsuna awoke later than usual, which was to be expected due to the late hour. She finally found sleep; after showering and biting to eat, she was happy that Momo had proposed going to see Tetsu. They arrived at Tetsu's house shortly after three and were let in by his mother, who smiled gratefully at them. Tetsu tried to play it off, but Itsuka and Set shut it down by pulling him into a tight hug.
"You don't have to put on a false face with us," Itsuka said. "I have known you far too long for that Metal Head."
"Yeah, Tetsu," Set added. "We can talk about it, not about it, but you don't have to fake anything with us."
Tetsu felt his body tense before he gave in and let his emotions loose. When he finally composed himself, he stepped back and whipped at his eyes. "Not very manly, I know," Tetsu whispered.
"I disagree," Momo said. "While there are times to be stoic, there are times when you need to release those pent-up emotions. That is what true friendship is about. If I was crying, would you think any less of me?" Tetsu just shook his head. "Then the same should hold true for us. While I may have barely met you, Tetsu and we may not be as close as you are with Setsuna or Itsuka, I count you as my friend. I hope one day you will count me as such as well."
"You are my friend," Tetsu said, making Momo smile.
They all sat in the living room after Tetsu's mother brought them some drinks. They sat silently for a minute before Tetsu began to retell what had happened in the Storm Zone and, more importantly, what had happened with the Lightning Villain. "I knew he was trying to kill me, but still…I just wish I had another option." Tetsu said, sitting back in his chair and staring at the ceiling.
"Sometimes there are no other options," Itsuka said, squeezing his knee. "If other people were there or someone else was fighting that villain, then maybe, but not many of us would have been able to survive that kind of shock. It was amazing that you could Tetsu."
"Also, these were not just low-level street thugs; these were escaped convicts," Setsuna added.
"I know, but that sound…" Tetsu sighed.
"Eventually, it will fade like all things do with time," Momo said. "For now, don't be afraid to reach out if needed. I am sure that the U.A. will provide counseling options when we return to school. Holding it inside will eat you up, and you are too good of a person to allow that to happen, Tetsu."
"Thank you, Momo," Tetsu said.
Momo and Itsuka then shared what had happened in their zone, going over their battles with Mustard and Glass. Setsuna talked about the Flood Zone, the quirked parrot, and the fear that ran through her when Manga was shot. Each of them took turns opening up about the different things they experienced and what was keeping them up at night.
"So what happened with Izuku there at the end?" Tetsu said. "I heard him say something to you but didn't catch it."
"He confessed that he liked me," Set said, blushing slightly; you could almost hear a pin drop in the room as her friends stared at her. "He told me I was the girl who stole his breath away and that he felt bad for telling me because he thought the boy I liked was you, Tetsu."
"Me?" Tetsu said with a laugh.
"Wow," Itsuka said. "So, have you talked to him?"
Setsuna shook her head, "I feel bad. Everything that happened at the USJ was terrible. I feel guilty for having any sort of happy memory that day."
"I have a happy memory from that day," Momo said, getting everyone to look at her. "Everyone lived; some had to stay in the Medical Wing overnight, but everyone is going to get to go home. All of us survived. I get to sit here with my friends, share my experiences and worries, and offer support to them."
"You can't dwell on the bad," Tetsu said. "Rich coming from me right now, I know, but we must look for the good things; I agree with Momo. We survived. The boy you liked confessed to you; if you don't jump on that, he really may believe that you have the hots for me and take up that other girl on her offer when she hits on him. That will make this whole thing an even bigger mess."
"What do I do?" Setsuna said. "Call him up and tell him we need to talk? Go to his house, stand outside, and scream my confession?"
"Exactly!" Momo said.
"Yeah….wait, what?" Itsuka said.
"Let's go to his house, and you, Setsuna Tokage, you go get your dinosaur!" Momo said excitedly.
"I don't know where he lives? I mean, that would just be insane!" Setsuna countered.
"You had me make you condoms when we got off the bus because you were sure that after the USJ, you would lost in a haze of lust and want," Momo said.
"WHAT!" Itsuka and Tetsu said as Set turned beet red.
"Now you are trying to chicken out?" Momo said, shaking her head. "We are going over there and getting you your damn dinosaur!"
"How?" Itsuka said.
Momo pulled out her phone, "Hello Izuku." Everyone froze. Set scrambled to get to Momo, but Itsuka grabbed her and tackled her back onto the couch. "Good, well, as good as can be. I want to send some sweets to everyone, just something to try and help them get through the weekend. Can you send me your address and any particular preferences you have? No, I insist. After all, I have to thank you for introducing me to doughnuts. Thank you Izuku."
"Momo!" Set said once her mouth was uncovered.
"We are doing this," Momo said, her phone dinged. "I got his address."
"But my outfit?" Set tried to complain, her heart thumping against her chest.
"Setsuna, in all the time I have known you, I have never seen you like this about anyone," Tetsu said. "If anything yesterday should have taught us is that tomorrow is never guaranteed."
"You're right, Tetsu," Set said, her hand over her heart. "I am going to go get my dinosaur."
Midoriya Household
Himiko sat with Izuku's head in her lap as she listened to the news about the attack and his talk with Ochaco.
"Well, I am glad you are safe," Himiko said, running her hands through his hair. "I wanted to leave patrol, but Mom was on her way and…"
"I know Himi," Izuku whispered. "I can't believe everything that happened, then I go and confess, pass out, get confess too, have to reject her, now I get to go to school and watch as Set and Tetsu…"
"That sucks," Himiko said. "I can go beat someone up for you!"
Izuku laughed, "Not today, Himiko. The heart wants what the heart wants."
"True that," Himiko smirked. "But I am proud of you, little brother. You handled an impossible situation at the USJ, confessed to a girl, and was a good man in how you handled Ochaco. You didn't agree to date her, hoping you would develop feelings for her. That wouldn't have been fair to her, and no girl wants to be the second choice."
"Thanks, Himi," Izuku said. "It just didn't feel right jumping from one thing to another."
The knock at the door silenced them both. "Who can that be?" Izuku said, sitting up.
Himiko grabbed her phone and looked at the camera; a sly smile crossed her face. "I think it is for you."
Izuku looked at his sister and shrugged as he went to answer the door; he saw his sister following him, nearly skipping. He opened the door and froze, standing there was his Haley's Comet, Setsuna Tokage. He looked behind her and saw Momo, Itsuka, and Tetsu standing at the end of the walkway.
"Um, hi," Izuku managed to say, rubbing the back of his head. "I…what can I do for you Setsuna?"
"This is about yesterday," Set said shyly. "About what you said before you passed out."
Izuku's eyes went from Set to Tetsu; he didn't see any anger in Tetsu's face or sense any hostility from the boy. "I am sorry, Set," Izuku began to say.
"It was you, it is you," Set blurted out. "It has always been you! Since the moment I saw you at the entrance exam. When I looked at you, my brain was short-circuited with your gorgeous appearance. I ran away like an idiot and didn't even get your name, then I thought I would never see you again, then you showed up on the screen and turned into a freaking T-Rex."
Izuku was stunned, "I told you how much I love dinosaurs, and to see the most beautiful boy I have ever seen turn into a freaking dinosaur I was done. Then I wondered if we would be in the same class, then I freaked out when you came in and threw your uniform at you," Setsuna had her hands over her heart. "Then everything, the ice cream shop, talking with you in the mornings, heroics class, the USJ, all of it. I love you Izuku Midoriya. I can't think of anything else but you. I wanted to tell you after the USJ. I…" Setsuna paused and took a deep breath; her eyes had been shut tight as she confessed. Now, she opened them and stared at Izuku. "I love you, will you please go out with me?"
"When you told me about the boy you liked, I wanted it to be me," Izuku replied, tears coming to Setsuna's eyes. "You are my Haley's comet, a shooting star that came into view, and I couldn't take my eyes off. I am in love with you, Setsuna Tokage, and would be honored to date you."
Everything inside of Setsuna, all the emotions since the first day she saw him, and all her dreams of him, just exploded. Setsuna dove forward into his arms and kissed him. Her arms around his neck, her legs bent as he caught her, and this passion between the two of them just tore through them both.
When they broke apart, the cheers of their classmates made them both blush. "Would you all like to come in?" Himiko called out.
"Um, Setsuna, this is my sister Himiko," Izuku said, blushing. "Himiko this is my girlfriend Setsuna."
Set was a blushing mess, with a smile she couldn't have stopped if she had to, "Pleasure to meet you."
Once everyone was in the house, Tetsu walked over to Izuku. "Take good care of her."
"I will, Tetsu, I didn't get in between you two or anything?" Izuku responded.
"Nah, we are just friends," Tetsu laughed. "I have never seen her like this about anyone." They looked at the girls, who talked with Himiko as they settled in. "If you really want to see her lose it, do the baby Dinosaur."
Izuku walked off to his room and changed his clothes. Returning down the hall, he shifted into a baby T-Rex. He let out a small roar that made those in the living room freeze; as he came around the corner, he looked towards Setsuna, who was wide-eyed. His roar was a bit louder, and Setsuna made a noise like a strangled cat and fainted into Momo's arms.
