Chapter 7: Of elections and anarchy
There poll about whether Izuku/Izumi should be related to Miruko is now closed with the majority vote yes.
When Izuku opened his eyes on Wednesday morning, he discovered he still held the same grin which he had when he had gone to sleep. How could it not? He had managed to go to the gym with Ochaco. Any evening spent with a cute girl, and a friend at that, was worth it. Life sure looked way better already.
His good mood fell as he thought of Bakugo. Emotions poured into his gut, making him feel like he was close to bursting with feelings.
"I was really delusional, wasn't I?" Izuku sighed.
He looked at the mirror on his wardrobe's door, and smiled at his reflection.
"Just what made you think he would be your friend?" Izuku asked himself, expecting an answer.
Knowing that there would only be silence in response, he sighed and shook his head. Instead, he closed his eyes and changed to his rabbit form.
When Izumi opened her eyes, she found a smiling and confident rabbit girl on the mirror, with oversized pajamas.
"No time like the present, eh Izumi?" She told herself. "I am the brave and righteous bunny girl Izumi Midoriya, and we don't have any time for bullies like Bakugo!"
Although she came off as childish in her mind, it was surprisingly easier than she thought to fill that role. Maybe the fact she had One for All helped, or maybe Izumi just had a far better time in UA than Izuku did. Maybe Izuku, deep down, really wanted to be that Izumi he envisioned.
After a hasty morning exercise, Izuku checked the hero news in his cell phone, interested on the latest Miruko controversy. He gave all other Pro-Hero news a glance until he came to the last mention of Miruko.
Izuku winced. A lot of mid-ranking Heroes were really ganging up on Miruko… not that Izuku didn't understand them. Miruko was a lot like Bakugo and Endeavor personality-wise. The difference, sadly, was that while Endeavor was pragmatic enough to have Crossover events with other heroes in order to keep his high popularity, and even fake being pleasant to be around with when the time was right, Miruko had no such reservations.
It was admirable for someone to speak from the heart, but in the competitive world of Pro-Heroes where public opinion could affect your ranking and position, it wasn't wise to be blunt or stubborn on ideals, especially when they weren't popular. Miruko had never been one to do team-ups and she would never do anything she didn't feel like it. For some time, that garnered her some popularity (people love feisty little bunny girls, apparently) to the point she made it in the top-ten. At the moment, though, that personality trait was coming back to bite her in the butt.
Many attention seeking Pro-Heroes who had met Miruko at one point or another were all calling her all sorts of things, going as far as to suggest she was a menace around children. Some, thankfully, were more honest or friendly. Izuku was floored when he learned Endeavor of all people was supportive of Miruko… although in hindsight it made sense strategically speaking.
"I just hope none of the guys start asking me about Miruko" Izuku grumbled, reminded of the conspiracies his classmates came from. "Stupid costume designers…"
Izuku didn't bother with the latest news for long. He hopped off to the door and paused. He scrunched his face and concentrated.
"Right, remember, I'm Izumi… cute, fluffy but badass rabbit girl… not Izuku, the plain-looking fan boy."
When she opened her eyes, Izumi grinned, puffed up her chest and boldly marched out, into the world outside. She hurried for an early bath, before any of the girls went to the shared bathroom. When she made her way to the kitchen, she wasn't surprised to find a happy Ochaco and some of her classmates.
Life couldn't get any better for Izumi.
That peaceful Wednesday morning, after a stressful roll call with their homeroom teacher, Izumi felt actually excited for the day ahead. There wouldn't be any heroics or anything similar, but she was starting to enjoy school a lot more. That and she was looking forward to spending more time with Ochaco that evening. Ochaco had been fired up after the Battle Trial, to the point she wanted to start sparring with Izumi. The rabbit girl wanted to practice one-on-one combat as well… but the idea of getting physical with an attractive girl like Ochaco…
Izumi's life was good… really good.
It was still confusing any time Izuku thought of himself as Izumi or as a her instead of a him. Still, Izuku had decided to commit to the act fully, like All Might had done, so he was not about to give up now. She was now Izumi, Class 1-A Rabbit Girl and future hero.
Her thoughts were taken by their homeroom teacher, who stoically went to the front desk and addressed them with tired insomniac eyes.
"Alright, everyone" Aizawa sighed. "I reviewed the Battle Trial with All Might yesterday. All things considered, not bad."
The class released sighs of relief.
"That being said, I expect marked improvements in the near future or else" warned Aizawa.
The class tensed, gulping with dread.
"But enough of that" Aizawa said.
The class relaxed.
"We have another more important matter to settle" Aizawa said, his tone cold and stern. "One that will impact your future in UA…"
Everyone was back to feeling like cornered animals.
"You have to choose a class representative and vice-representative" stated the homeroom teacher matter-of-factly.
The teenagers were not amused by a smirking and entertained Aizawa. Clearly, their homeroom teacher was a sadist that knew exactly how he made them react.
"Eh… what's a class representative for?" Asked a confused Ojiro.
"You didn't have one at your school?" Wondered Kaminari.
"No, I didn't even know they were thing" admitted the tailed student.
"It doesn't really do anything" said Mineta.
"Actually, the class representative is, as the title suggests, the one student that will speak for all of you in matters regarding the class. Whenever you wish to organize a class exercise, it is up to the class representative to speak to the teachers, for example. Additionally, any future events of the school in which your class will be involved in will be discussed and organized with the Class representative" Aizawa said.
Everyone sat up straight, interested. Suddenly, being a class representative was far more important than what they had imagined.
"So how do you pick one?" Someone asked.
Aizawa, ever the helpful teacher, merely shrugged and pulled out a sleeping back from under his desk.
"Chose however you want, just pick one before your first class" Aizawa grumbled before laying down and dozing off in a corner.
"I suggest employing a democratic vote!" Said Iida.
"Boo! Democracy is cancer!" Jokingly booed Ashido, earning a few chuckles around her.
"Oy, I'm the strongest here!" Roared Bakugo "So I should be the class representative."
The class looked at their explosive classmate, before looking away, ignoring the blond entirely.
"I think a vote sounds fine," commented Yaoyorozu.
"Oy!" Shouted Bakugo.
"But we barely know each other, ribbit" said Asui.
"I said I'm the class representative, damn it!"
"How else are we supposed to pick a representative, though?" Kirishima wondered. "Rock-paper-scissors?"
"I'm all for that" laughed Hagakure.
"We must hurry! We do not have a lot of time available to make a choice!" Iida said, before turning to the invisible girl. "And we will not decide such an important position with a kid's game."
"What about a tournament of tic-tac-toe?" Proposed Ashido, completely ignoring what Iida had just said.
"God damn it, extras!" Shouted Bakugo.
"I say Izumi should be our class representative!"
Everyone quiet down, including the explosive blond standing on his desk. The rabbit girl in question stared in horror at the girl who had proposed such a preposterous thing. Ochaco, somewhat embarrassed, would not be deterred, however.
"She's smart, clever and I bet she'll make us look a lot better as a representative than the likes of… well… you know who" Ochaco chuckled.
Bakugo frowned, confused, until he noticed every head had glanced at him before nodding solemnly back at Ochaco.
"Oy, what do you mean by that?!" Screamed the explosive blond.
"I second that!" Said Yaoyorozu.
Although she sounded her usual formal and serious self, her eyes, however, were sparkling and her cheeks were red with a blush. For all of her stiff persona, Izumi knew that Yaoyorozu had another phase of her… a very cuddling fluff-loving side.
"You just like the idea of having a fluffy class rep, don't you?" accused Jiro.
"Of-of course not" muttered Yaoyorozu, embarrassed. "Alright, maybe a little bit…"
"Meh, what the hell?" Shrugged Jiro. "Might as well be Izumi, I guess."
"Yes! Izumi for president!" Exclaimed Ashido.
"And here I thought you were against democracy" Joked Kirishima.
"Down with democracy, long live the Republic!" joked back Ashido.
"Hon-hon-hon" agreed a certain French blond in the background.
"Yay, Rabbit President!" Exclaimed a certain invisible girl.
"Come on, guys, we should pick a boy" Mineta protested.
But none of the boys seemed that interested in taking on a role with a lot of responsibility as a class representative. In fact, it sounded a bit daunting having to be the voice of the class.
"I wish to be the Class representative" stated Todoroki.
It took one glace from his peers and a look into those deep icy eyes of his before they all shook their heads. Todoroki frowned with confusion at that. Why didn't his peers don't want him in a role of power? Hadn't he demonstrated he was one of the strongest in their class?
"Let us put it to a vote then" stated Iida. "Those who wish for Izumi to be our class representative, raise your hands."
Izumi, in turn, watched with her mouth wide agape and mounting horror as hands rose into the air. There was a cheerful Ochaco, who seemed to be unable to understand that Izumi did not want to take such a role. She barely knew how to speak to people, much less represent them! Then there were the others who had shown their support at the idea, like Ashido, Hagakure, an enthusiastic Yaoyorozu and a bored Jiro. There were, however, a few surprising hands.
A blushing silent Koji Koda, an equally quiet Mezo Shoji and a brooding Fumikage Tokoyami raised their hands as well. Tsuyu Asui was also part of the raised hands. Izumi watched, horrified, and spluttered incoherently. Worse, was when Iida raised his hands, averting his gaze from his confused peers.
"You traitors!" Mineta shouted, pointing at the boys who had voted for Izumi. "Come on guys, vote for me, and I promise that I will have the girl's skirt cut in half!"
"I don't think the class representative has that kind of power," chuckled Kaminari.
The girls, on their part, were not amused by the perverted dwarf. The boys, in turn, looked away as not to be associated with said petite boy.
"I suppose it is decided then" sighed Iida, dejected. "Izumi shall be our class representative!"
"I love democracy," cackled Ashido.
"But who shall be our vice-representative?" Wondered Kirishima.
Except for a fuming Bakugo and a still confused Todoroki, all heads turned to a newly chosen class representative. Izuku squeaked, scared witless from the burden thrust onto her. How was she supposed to respond?
Remember, stick to the act! Izumi thought. Izumi is confident and fearless! She's barer of One for All, chosen and tutored by All Might himself! Remember what All Might said…
And thus, Izumi forced a smile on her face, puffed up her chest and gave a simple chuckle as she tried to think of something. She could do it.
"What about Iida or Yaoyorozu?" Wondered Izumi. "They both seem responsible and to stick to the rules. That and they both seem knowledgeable and well composed. Let's face it, I don't think I command that much respect, but either of those two would without any problem."
Class 1-A broke into murmurs of agreement, all while Izumi released a sigh of relief. She also mentally patted herself in the back. Acting all confident and brave wasn't that hard, but it sure was stressful.
"See? You make for a great representative!" Ochaco told Izumi.
"Thanks" said Izumi.
Deep down, Izumi was pondering how she was going to get back to the gravity girl. She was barely keeping it together with all the attention and she had yet to start her role as Class Representative. However, there was no backing out. Izumi was no quitter.
"But how are we supposed to choose a class vice-representative?" Pondered Kaminari.
"I propose a democratic vote!" Said Ashido.
Everyone glared at the pink-skinned girl who clearly wasn't taking the selection seriously enough.
What followed were heated twenty minutes in which the class broke into a power struggle that somehow culminated with Yaoyorozu being selected as Vice-Representative. Perhaps it was the fact that Iida was… well… a bit too intense and unapproachable at times. Thus, Izumi found herself at the head of her class, trying to act confident, next to the professional-looking Yaoyorozu.
"Finally" grumbled Aizawa. "Alright, you'll have your first inter-class meeting on Friday."
"Our what?" Izumi and Yaoyorozu said.
Aizawa sighed but didn't elaborate, instead picking his sleeping bag and trudging out of the class.
"Did he just…?" Yaoyorozu wondered.
"Yep" Izumi replied.
The class remained silent, unsure how to react. There were only a few minutes left before their first class started, so it wasn't like there was much to do. Well, apparently Yaoyorozu knew what she wanted to do.
"Yeah! I am your vice-rep!" Yaoyorozu said, leaning down and embracing Izumi.
It was then that Izumi's entire head found itself in a heavenly place and her mind went straight to lala-land. From her seat, a particular Infinity Girl clenched her fists as Yaoyorozu squealed in delight finally managing to fulfill one of her desires. Someone had wanted to hug the class rabbit girl for some time, apparently.
"You sure are heavier than you look" Yaoyorozu commented, before she let go of the rabbit girl.
Izumi, at the moment, didn't have the brain capacity to provide a coherent answer.
"By the way, Izumi, I had yet to congratulate you on achieving the position of Class Representative!"
Izumi, for her part, sighed despondently, her face resting over the table. All around, the dining hall was filled with the usual hubbub of teenagers. With lunch time upon them, students from all courses mingled and chatted, forgetting all about that morning's lessons. Izumi, on her part, had actually forgotten about the impromptu election she had somehow won.
On a table of their own, Iida, Ochaco and the newly chosen Class Representative tried to enjoy their meal. One of them, however, couldn't stomach her food.
"No need to remind me" grumbled Izumi.
"You really wanted the position, didn't you Iida?" Ochaco asked with a sheepish smile.
"Yes!" Admitted Iida, before sighing. "However, the vote has been cast and, sadly, my peers have spoken: it is not to be."
"Why do you want to be Class Rep, though?" Wondered Izumi. "I don't think any hero agency will care and it sounds like it will take time away from training."
"True, but I wish to obtain the experience of leadership" Iida said.
"Leadership?" Inquired both girls in unison.
"Yes. You see, my brother, Ingenium, is a commendable leader with dozens of side-kicks under his command. Many agencies prefer to have mostly a few Pro-Heroes with a handful support side-kicks, but my brother is different. I admire that of him, and I sincerely hope to achieve such social prowess" said Iida.
"Well, you might have to consider going down a few gears if that's the case, Iida" Izumi said, looking at her friend. "Don't take it as an insult, but you can be pretty… ehm… intense at times."
Damn, when had she ever been so blunt and outspoken before? Izumi could only ponder in amazement. Maybe the whole act was starting to get to her.
"Yes, I understand" an ashamed Iida responded. "In any case, I am thankful that at least I might learn from you, Izumi."
"Learn what from me?" Izumi wandered.
"Why, how to improve of course!" Iida stated. "Thus far you've proven to be an exceptional individual! You faced the Zero-Pointer during the exam without hesitation and then went against Bakugo, a fearful opponent to be had!"
"You know, you speak really funny, Iida" Ochaco commented.
Izumi, on her part, was confused.
"But I did hesitate, didn't I? And it wasn't like I wasn't afraid against Bakugo" Izumi said. "However, I do know that sometimes my body moves before I can think about it."
She remembered when she had recklessly endangered herself the day she met All Might. In fact, it had been that foolish stupidity that had, somehow, convinced All Might that she was a good successor. Izumi really didn't follow the man's logic, but who was she to complain?
"That's so cool!" Ochaco said, only to grimace. "I wish I was that brave…"
"Hey, it is a matter of practice… I think" Izumi tried to say. "I am not really that great, really guys. You both make it sound like I am sort of amazing…"
She trailed off. Both Iida and Ochaco, while not disagreeing with her, weren't looking her way, as if they couldn't bring themselves to agree with Izumi's assessment of herself.
"Seriously guys, I am socially awkward and nerdy and…"
"You are?" Ochaco asked, blinking at Izumi.
"I see. Is this some sort of joke I am failing to grasp?" Hummed a thoughtful Iida. "I am afraid you'll have to explain it to me."
In hindsight, Izumi had forgotten that both Iida and Ochaco barely knew her, or at least they had never met Izuku Midoriya. They weren't like Bakugo, or any of Izuku's former classmates, all of which shared the same low opinion of the green-haired boy. All they knew was that she was a lively rabbit girl with an amazing quirk and who had already done a few allegedly brave things (Izumi found that debatable, though).
"Come on guys, you don't know me that well" said Izumi. "It's been, what, two or three days since we meet each other?"
"First impressions do matter" said Iida.
He had a point there.
"Hey, I might not know you for long, but I actually think you are pretty amazing" Ochaco confessed.
"Really?" Izumi asked, blinking at the brunette. Her? Amazing? Impossible.
"And you are fun!" Ochaco added. "We have hanged out together and you never looked nerdy to me."
Alright, maybe Ochaco ate something or maybe she had lost her mind somewhere along the way. There was no way you could put the name "Izuku Midoriya" and "fun" in the same sentence without coming out with a negative statement.
"I think I will wait until I deliver my assessment" Iida said. "That being said, I do think that-"
Whatever Iida was going to say was cut off by the sound of an alarm blaring. Izumi winced, clasping her hands over her sensitive ears, all while Ochaco and Iida looked around, baffled.
"Is there a fire?" Ochaco asked.
All around, the cafeteria became a flurry of activity. Students were staring at the ceiling, confused, or standing up and leaving. No sooner had a few started to walk out, the more confused peers appeared to follow their example.
"Hey, excuse me!" Iida called one of the senior students. "What is going on?"
"That's the defense breach alarm" the student said. "That means there are villains in the campus!"
And with that, the ever so helpful student rushed away. He wasn't the only one. In fact, by that point, most students were already spreading the word and panic was becoming visible in more than one face.
"We need to evacuate the building then!" Iida said.
"Eh… should we?" Izumi asked.
"This is an emergency! There could be villains inside and-" Iida started saying.
"Now is not the time to panic" said Izumi.
This is it! Izumi thought, this is a test of leadership… but what to do? And could someone destroy that damn alarm?
She struggled to her feet, feeling a headache. Why did the alarm have to be so loud? And why weren't Iida nor Ochaco affected? It was loud for them too, wasn't it?
I need to help. Izuku might be the sort to panic, but Izumi isn't, she reminded herself.
"If we all try to leave the building, we will all end up stuck at the corridors" Izumi said.
"But we can't just sit idle, can we?" Iida wondered.
"Where's Lunch Rush?" Izumi asked.
"He left" said Ochaco.
"Then the other teachers probably are already handling the situation… we can't blindly run away. For all we know we could be headed straight to danger" Izumi said, groaning as she tried to withstand the piercing alarm.
"Should we call an emergency number?" Iida asked.
"Who are we going to call? Heroes? This is a Pro-Hero school, Iida!" Ochaco rebutted.
"Well… maybe the police or firefighters should be informed as well" Iida grumbled. "Perhaps I should record a last message in case we-"
"No need to be so morbid, Iida!" Exclaimed a horrified Ochaco.
Izumi blinked before reaching for her cell phone. Ochaco and Iida watched, confused, as the agonizing rabbit girl went through her contact list before calling someone. Luckily, All Might responded right away.
"Young Midoriya, is everyone alright over there?" All Might wondered, preoccupied.
"Yes, just really confused here. What's going on out there? Are there villains? Should we leave?" Izumi asked.
"No, no, it is a false alarm. Pesky journalists managed to breach the defense perimeter. That's all. Sadly, until we can get rid of them, the alarm and detection system will still alert us of their presence as intruders" All Might responded. "Stay put and avoid rushing to the exits in a panic, young Midoriya!"
"Yes, I thought as much" Izumi said.
"Have no fear, for I am here… with a very angry Principal who is going to sue the living lights out of those so-called journalists!" All Might said with a hearty laugh.
Even in the situation they were in, Izumi found herself chuckling.
"Thanks" Izumi said before she hanged. "It's alright, guys, it is just journalists who sneaked into the school."
"Journalists?" Ochaco asked, frowning.
"Who did you call exactly?" Wondered Iida.
"A teacher" Izumi said. Not a lie, but not the full truth either. "Secret Identity Program, remember?" She added.
Luckily, her two friends seemed to make just assumptions Izumi wanted.
"Ah" nodded Ochaco and Iida in understanding.
"So… we stay put" Izumi said.
Luckily, the alarm had subsided considerably, perhaps because the teachers had managed to correct the threat level of the trespasser. Regardless, it annoyed Izumi to no end. She glanced at the dining hall before trading looks with her friends. There was one thing they had just noticed.
"Where's everyone?" Izumi asked.
"I think they all panicked and tried to get out of the school" said Ochaco.
Izumi, on her part, groaned. Where were the responsible seniors when you needed them?
What should I do? She wondered. Should I help? Of course I have to help! Everyone could be hurting themselves out there!
"Come on guys" Izumi said, standing up.
"Aren't we supposed to stay put?" Iida wondered.
"Yeah, but we have to help everyone else before they do something crazy" Izumi replied.
As it so happened, it wasn't just a mere handful of students who had panicked. By the looks of it, almost the entirety of the school body had apparently lost their cool. That or a good lot of them had been caught in all the ensuing anarchy. Perhaps panic had spread like wildfire before anyone could put out the flames of chaos. In any case, things weren't looking good.
"They are going to trample over each other!" Exclaimed a horrified Ochaco.
"We must act quickly… but how?" Wondered Iida. "There must be some way…"
Izumi wished she wasn't so damn short. If she dared venture anywhere near the flocking students in the corridor head, she would be stamped to death! If only she could walk on the ceiling…
Izumi blinked, an idea popping in her mind.
"Ochaco, use your quirk on me" Izumi said with a face of determination.
"What are you planning, Izumi?" Iida asked, concerned.
"To draw their attention" said Izumi. "Infinity Girl?"
Ochaco looked hesitant.
"Are you sure?" She asked.
"Do you trust me?" Izumi asked.
Chocolate eyes bore into Izumi's amethyst violet ones and, for a moment, their gazes remained locked in each other. Then, Ochaco smiled and nodded.
"Yes" she said. "I trust you."
One touch from the brunette later and Izumi started floating.
"Iida, throw me to the ceiling, over their heads!" Izumi instructed.
Iida looked like he needed more details than that. However, he swallowed his curiosity and concerns and did as told. When Izumi reached the ceiling, she went to one of the entrances, right over one of the door frames.
"Alright, let's get started" Izumi said.
She summoned One for All and, glowing with power and with bolts of lightning cracking across her skin, she kicked off. The students all stopped pushing and shoving, caught by the strange light displays overhead. Bouncing from wall to wall, across door frame to door frame, Izumi waited for the commotion to die down before slamming against a door frame and addressing the public.
All across the corridors, students broke into whispers.
"What is she doing?" "Is that a rabbit girl?" "She's so adorable!"
Izumi tried to ignore the comments, even if her rather keen ears picked them loud and clear.
"Hey, everyone, there are no villains!" Izumi shouted. "There are only journalists!"
"How do you know that?" Asked someone.
"Hey, guys, look" someone by the windows said, pointing at something below. "The rabbit girl is right!"
Those closest to the windows pressed their heads (or were forcibly stamped) against the glass. Before long, everyone was swearing and cursing the greedy media-hounds and calmly dispersing. Kicking from wall to wall, this time at a more manageable speed, Izumi made her way back to her friends, who looked amazed.
"Wow, that was awesome! See, you are pretty amazing!" Said Ochaco.
"Indeed! You truly are deserving of the Class Representative position!" Iida said.
The two teenagers, however, quickly discovered that their friend wasn't responding nor moving. She stayed hunched over, her hands over her stomach.
"Eh… Izumi?" Ochaco called.
"You look rather sick…" commented Iida.
Izumi, who indeed looked rather green, slowly turned her head towards them.
"I think I am going to vomit" mumbled Izumi.
Ochaco and Iida could only panic at that.
-‐-‐-‐-
All Might had expected things when he had joined UA. For starters, he had expected a lot more attention from the media in general. All Might had rarely stuck to one place for long. His mere presence, after all, could bring down crime, so as long as he kept on the move or the villains guessing, he would manage to keep the peace. All Might had not imagined just what lengths the media hounds would go.
"What exactly did they expect to achieve?" Harrumphed All Might, next to Principal Nezu.
The two stared at the main gate to UA, or rather what remained of it. Beneath the metal arch that had once held a thick seamless steel door, Power Loader studied what appeared to be metallic dust.
"I have a few guesses" the Principal hummed. "None rational or wise."
All Might sighed, shaking his head.
"I apologize, Principal. I should have foreseen this" the Number One hero said, bowing in apology to the chimera creature.
"Nonsense, All Might. How were you supposed to predict just how unpredictable and stupid could they be?" Nezu said.
Behind them, Aizawa and the homeroom teacher of 1-B, Sekijiro Kan aka Vlad King, approached them.
"That was the last of them" grunted a frustrated Aizawa.
"They sure can be like cockroaches" added Kan.
"Now, now, let us not mouthpiece the fourth power of our republic" said the Principal. "We have other concerns at present. How are the students?"
"Better, by the looks of it" Aizawa said. "I am disappointed to say they were irrational, unable to remain calm."
"You couldn't have expected anyone to stay put" rebutted Kan. "There were many of the kids that didn't know what the alarm was even for."
"So that is why they should allow herd-mentality to define their actions?" Grunted Aizawa. "Hadn't it been for one of my students, we would still see the students flocking the corridors."
"Let us take this as a learning experience" said the Principal. "Perhaps we should include a few drills in the future, lest we repeat today's chaos."
"Speaking of today, what exactly destroyed the gate?" Kan inquired.
"We do not know" the Principal replied. "The cameras were unable to catch anyone suspicious, but I suspect the perpetrator made use of the crowd of journalist outside."
"You don't think it was a journalist then?" Aizawa wondered.
"I do not" said Nezu. "In fact, I have the impression it was a villain."
The teachers remained silent.
"Do you think it was a message?" Wondered Kan. "Some kind of declaration of war."
"I have my theories" said Nezu. "If I had to state the likeliest, there is either a new villain organization that is confident on their strength, confident enough to make their presence known before an actual attack on the school, or the villain is impulsive, with childish tendencies, who saw the opportunity and took it if only to feel as if he or she was causing harm to us. Perhaps it is both options."
Mention of villains being behind the day's commotion made the Number One Hero worry. All Might could only think about young Midoriya. He had to make sure the young man/rabbit girl grew stronger.
"All Might" Nezu said, turning to the Number One Hero. "Regarding your candidate as second teacher for Fundamentals in Heroics, perhaps it is time to make the final call."
All Might's eyes widened. Aizawa stepped between them, rather irritated.
"I have to protest" Aizawa stated. "I do not think-"
"Considering what transpired today" Nezu gestured at the fallen gate. "I rather we have more Pro-Heroes in the staff. Wouldn't you agree?"
Aizawa stiffly nodded in agreement, albeit with reluctance. All Might, on the other hand, wasn't exactly confident about his choice. That person could possibly make young Midoriya's life hell. However, if it helped Midoriya grow stronger…
"Then I'll make the call right away," said All Might, pushing down his trepidation.
This is going to be one hell of a phone call, he thought only to mentally add with confidence, All for young Midoriya.
Chapter 8: Sleepover
It was the end of Izuku's first week in UA and he couldn't be happier. As he laid in bed, enjoying his free time after a long day of school. That and an annoying inter-class meeting with the representatives of other classes of the freshman year. Still, he was in a good mood.
Life was good, after all. He had friends, he hanged around a cute girl, he was actually respected by his peers and he had a quirk, not to mention he was part of the renowned UA Hero Course. Hell, Izuku even sparred with a cute girl. Embarrassing at first, Izuku never thought he could ever find a close friend to actually train and practice with. It was all Izuku dreamed he could have been with Bakugo and more! What else could he ask for?
As if summoned by all of his positivity, her phone buzzed and vibrated. Izuku took one glance at it, before groaning. There was one message of Mina Ashido, yet it was enough to bring down his good mood:
Movie night and sleepover to celebrate, 1-A girls!
Why did Ashido insist on sleepovers? Izuku wouldn't never know, but the last one had been awkward enough for him and he sure wasn't going to repeat the experience. He grimaced as he thought of Ochaco. She had actually had fun last time…
Soon after, Izuku ignored his phone as it kept vibrating, the girls responding to Ashido. After a few moments, he peeked for the responses and his heart fell. Apparently, all girls were looking forward to a night of celebration. It was, after all, the end of their first week. Movie suggestions were being thrown around, from a cheesy romance Izuku had heard about to another of werewolf cyborgs that fought armies of zombie vampires he had no idea that existed.
I am not going, Izuku decided. I'll make some excuse like being tired or- or something.
He couldn't do it. Just the thought of building trust with the girls only to reveal he had been a boy all along… he couldn't bring himself to betray them in such a way.
"Still, at this pace I might never have to reveal my true" Izuku reasoned, looking at his scarred arm.
He sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. Why did he have to live between two personalities? Right, because he chose to. Still, why wasn't he allowed to just change when needed? He could have even been part of the General Studies and also partake in Heroic stuff? Well, no, that would have been unfair to a student, taking two positions in both departments like that. Additionally, he had already been extended unique choices. He couldn't demand more special privileges.
The question remained, though. How was Izuku even supposed to improve his control over One for All if he couldn't actually train with it? He spent all of his time doing homework and hanging around Ochaco, either at the gym or sparring, after all.
Could Nezu have predicted as much? Could he have wanted for Izuku to focus on the likeliest form to master One for All? Perhaps Nezu had a bias for furry students? Izuku rather believe not but all was possible, wasn't it?
His phone vibrated for the umpteenth time and Izuku, despondent, checked the new messages. He grimaced as he saw a message from Ochaco.
-You are going to the sleepover, right?- the brunette asked.
Izuku scowled.
-This will help with your shyness around us!- added a second message.
The green-haired boy felt a knot on his gut as he saw that Ochaco was still typing.
-Please, please! It won't be fun without you!-
Izuku took a deep breath and studied the message. He had to make a decision and respond. He raised his phone and, with a determined face, sent a message of his own.
-Of course I will go!-
Izuku groaned, smacking a hand over his face.
I'm pathetic, he mentally whined.
Sadly, he couldn't bring himself to say no to Ochaco.
Hence, it was no surprise when Izumi left her room a couple of hours later in casual clothes. She had a simple pair of pants and shirt, but even so Izumi felt embarrassed about it. Just remembering the process of acquiring female clothes, with her mother no less, made her blush.
When Izumi walked out into the ground floor, she discovered that everyone was already there. All the girls, apparently, would be attending. Not only that, but they all seemed excited about it. There were still arguments about the movie they were supposed to watch, however.
"Hey, Izumi!" Ochaco called, rushing towards her friend.
"Hey, Ochaco, what's up?" Replied Izumi with a grin. It had gotten much easier to smile confidently around people, but Ochaco's presence made it particularly easier.
"Sorry for pushing you to come" apologetically mumbled the brunette. "I know you are really shy when it comes to more private stuff. I shouldn't have been insistent."
Although Izumi was curious behind Ochaco's reasons, Izumi decided to just chuckle.
"It's fine" said Izumi. "And, really, it is for the best. We are all going to be heroes one day and, who knows? Maybe we'll need to work together. We might as well be friends, right?"
Ochaco just nodded, a happy smile in place.
"Yay! Izumi is joining us!" Squealed Hagakure, wrapping her arms all around Izumi.
Izumi squawked, especially when she felt a cushy pair of things pressed against her back. Ochaco's smile, in turn, turned strained.
"Ha, and here I thought we'd had to sneak into your room and drag you here" said Ashido.
On second thought, coming willingly was a good idea, Izumi thought.
"Mina, we would never do that!" Yaoyorozu gasped.
"Not you, but I'd definitely do it" said Ashido.
"We believe you" laughed Jiro. "Leave our class-rep alone, Toru. She doesn't like being treated like a pet."
"Sorry!" Said Hagakure, letting go of a catatonic Izumi. "I just can't help myself!"
"I don't know about that, Kyoka" said Asui. "Izumi doesn't appear to mind much, especially when Ochaco treats her like a plushy, ribbit."
"Hey, I want to have her as hugging pillow!" Ashido pouted. "Can I, Izumi? Can I, please pretty please?"
"Can't you respect her personal space?" huffed an indignant Yaoyorozu.
All girls looked at Yaoyorozu, who averted her eyes even when her face lit up.
"Please, Momo, you're the one who wants to keep Izumi all snuggled up from all of us!" Laughed Jiro.
"You didn't seem to mind Izumi's personal space when you were chosen representatives… or the day after… or today, ribbit" bluntly added Asui.
Yaoyorozu was blushing furiously at that, hands on her cheeks and her eyes sparkling.
"I-I can't stop myself. Izumi is so fluffy and cute…" dreamily said Yaoyorozu.
"Please, don't- don't use that word" grumbled Izumi.
The Izuku in her really resented being called that, after all.
"Eh… fluffy or cute? Because, sister, you sure are both" Ashido pointed out.
"Call me… adorable… or fluffy" reluctantly conceded Izumi. She had to give them something and she had seen herself on the mirror. "Just… not cute, alright?"
Izumi – or rather Izuku – still had nightmares about being called cute or cutesy, especially by his former classmates. It was a phobia, irrational as any other, but still Izumi was uncomfortable with that word.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to," Yaoyorozu respectfully said, bowing at Izumi. Her eyes, though, regained its previous shining. "Could I… apologize with a hug?"
"Really, Momo?" huffed Jiro.
"Well, I tried at least," pouted Yaoyorozu.
Luckily, Izumi managed to hang with the girls without being treated like a plushy. First they had dinner with the girls of 1-B, which so happened to be pizza. For over an hour, Izumi forgot all about her problems, and enjoyed the moment, and there sure was a lot to enjoy.
The girls talked about this or that teacher, with both classes trying to determine which homeroom teacher was better: Aizawa or Kan. From the stories they had to tell of each, no one was sure. Sekijiro Kan didn't look like a tired mess or was as sadistic as Aizawa, but he was more of a boot camp sergeant from what Kendo and the others of 1-B could say. By the end of the discussion, each class rather have the homeroom teacher of the other class.
Izumi, on her part, didn't say much. She just listened at the girls talking, enjoying pizza and making use of her keen ears to keep up with all the ongoing conversations. Truly, it was a bizarre experience, and rather new for Izumi. Regardless, she enjoyed it. She was curious, however, whether she would find the same enjoyment if she had been forced to the Boys' dorm as Izuku.
Would the boys respect Izuku as the girls did Izumi? Would Izuku be included in conversations as Izumi was? What else could be different or the same? It was hard to tell, and at the moment Izumi rather not delve on that.
At last, dinner was over. Izumi and another girl decided to take over the dish washing duty while the rest went over to the living room. Thankfully, there wasn't much to wash. It did give Izumi enough time to enjoy some peace with a belly full of pizza. Truly, she hadn't known how nice it was to have pizza with pleasant company.
A few minutes later, Izumi was marching inside the living room (or was it living hall?). The girls were already arranging themselves around the large television. Pillows had been brought to sit while others made use of the three available couches. Izumi found a reserved spot between Ochaco and Asui.
"I really have to ask: why did you want to organize a movie night?" Asked a girl from 1-B (Setsuna Tokage if Izumi recalled correctly).
"I thought if the boys were having a movie night, we might as well have one of our own, right?" Ashido said.
"I heard they are planning a Hero Street Fighter tournament afterwards" grumbled Jiro.
"And you wanted to be invited, ribbit?" Asked Asui.
"Who wouldn't? I would love to trash them!" grunted Jiro. "But girls aren't allowed in their dorms."
"And boys aren't allowed in ours" pointed out Yaoyorozu. "It is for the best."
"Speak for yourselves" harrumphed a grumpy Ashido. "I wish I could bring boys to have fun."
"It isn't proper for heroes in making to indulge in such sinful behavior," said a certain vine-haired Ibara Shiozaki.
"I was talking about watching movies and playing games" Mina said, a devious smirk crawling on her face. "Did you think about something else I wanted boys for, Ibara? Something more… sinful and carnal?"
That made the girls laugh and a red-faced Ibara to splutter incoherently.
"Alright everyone!" Kendo called, stepping next to the television. "Enough for that. Are we ready for the movie?"
Everyone nodded or said that, indeed, they were more than prepared. Without further ado, the movie night began.
The chosen movie was an old police flick no one had watched, and perhaps for good reason. Its plot was the basic unlikely duo solving a mystery, with a few twists and turns sprinkled at the end. The special effects were decent and the action bearable. All in all, a passable movie for a movie night.
It was as she watched that Izumi found the entire situation rather alien once again. If having pizza with classmates was weird, being in a dark room watching a movie together was even more so. Then again, Izumi never thought she would ever share a hall filled with relatively attractive young women her age… or well, be an anthropomorphic rabbit girl, truth to told. Life sure had its own plot twists.
At last, the movie ended and there was a common agreement that the flick hadn't been bad, or rather it was classified as "meh" by an ever eloquent Jiro. After that, the large contingent of girls broke apart. The girls of 1-B went to their rooms or away to do their own thing. The girls of 1-A, on their part, went to their rooms to prepare for the sleepover.
When Izumi entered into her bedroom, she locked the door behind her and changed into Izuku, shaking his head.
What's with Ashido and sleepovers? Mentally groaned a tired Izuku. Wasn't one enough?
He stretched a bit in his male form before moving to wardrobe to pick his female pajamas. It was a good thing his mother had thought about getting him such sleepwear. However, as he found the pajamas, he grimaced. The girls would definitely make comments about it.
Izuku sighed, shaking his head, only to smile fondly.
"Being a girl isn't as bad as I thought" he mused.
In fact, he could say he was getting used to it. Perhaps he had been too quick to judge what having a sex-changing quirk would be like. Still, Izuku would have appreciated if the Principal and his parents had been a bit more understanding when they encouraged him to take the role of a girl. Perhaps they had assumed he hadn't been uncomfortable as a girl (then again, Nezu did see Izumi spend ten minutes in public without signs of discomfort), or maybe they hoped to be accepting and encouraging? Izuku might never know.
Just as Izuku was about to revert to Izumi in order to change into her pajamas, he heard something. Confused, he turned towards the windows. Slowly, he approached the curtains and peeked outside. Everything was dark, without movement or silhouette on the mown below. Izuku boldly pulled the curtains apart and tried to see what had made that noise. However, the noise never came again, and Izuku couldn't tell what had made such sound.
"A bug? The wind maybe?" Izuku hummed, looking around.
In the end, Izuku shrugged, pulled the curtains closed and transformed into Izumi. Once she had her sleepwear on, the rabbit girl hopped to the door and, before unlocking it, gave one last glance at the window. Hopefully she had just imagined the sound.
Izumi reached her destination quickly enough, given how Ashido's room was on her floor. However, she lingered outside, a large pillow in her hands. Izumi glanced down at herself and sighed.
I better get used to be called cute and adorable, mentally grumbled Izumi.
With a weary sigh, she took a deep breath, puffed up her chest and pulled a confident grin. Izumi was not the sort of rabbit to back down or quit. Thus, she knocked on the door and waited with abated breath.
"Oh, there you are" said Ashido.
Izumi felt an eyebrow twitch at the spreading smile on Ashido's face.
"Carrots, huh?" Said the pink-skinned demon as she studied her pajamas.
"Well, I happen to like them" huffed Izumi.
"Of course you do, you adorable ball of fluff" giggled Ashido.
Without another word, Ashido opened the door and pulled Izumi inside. The rest of the girls were already there. Luckily, none made comments on Izumi's pajamas (although she could have sworn she saw Yaoyorozu trying not to squeal with delight and call her cute).
Ashido's room was, in Izumi's humble opinion, a crime against humanity. The mere quantity of pink shining on every square inch of the gossip-monger was unbearable. Thankfully, Ashido covered most of her wall with posters of music bands and even a couple of heroes. Somehow, Izumi ignored the room's color and went to lay next to a cheerful Ochaco, who had apparently saved a spot for her.
"Alright girls, so we of the fairer sex have finally assembled!" Ashido proclaimed with her usual flair for dramatics. "Now, it is time to pass judgement."
"Judgement?" Izumi asked, confused.
However, it looked like the rest of the girls either knew where Ashido was headed or had a strong feeling about it, for they all groaned and muttered in protest.
"Boys, Izumi!" Ashido squealed with delight.
Suddenly, Izumi felt dread cling to her very essence.
"Really? Boys?" Kyoka, who was clad in a simple black sweatshirt and black airy shorts, grunted. "Of all the things you want to talk about, you want to talk boys?"
"What's there to talk about, ribbit?" Asked Asui. "We barely know them, even after a week."
"It's tradition! You know, to mark each other's prey and avoid territorial conflicts" Ashido cackled.
"Geez, girl, slow down" huffed Hagakure. "And seriously, you would date someone from the same school?"
"Should you even date?" Yaoyorozu added, shaking her head. "Heroics itself will be hard enough without mentioning what it will be like once we graduate. We should concentrate on our careers."
"Well, I for one wouldn't mind dating one of the boys" huffed an indignant Ashido. "Well, if you don't want to talk about boys, then you come up with a topic."
Izumi tried not to look too relieved about the change of topics. However, she couldn't deny a part of her was intrigued about the prospect of getting the girls' opinions on boys. Maybe it would be useful for the future.
"Well, how about why we want to be heroes?" Proposed Jiro. "We didn't come up with that last week, did we?"
"I suppose because we all wish for the same thing" Momo remarked. "We all wish to serve and save people, don't we?"
"Yep" Ashido said. "I always enjoyed helping people so… y'know… hero was a no-brainer."
"Really? You actually helped people?" Teased Jiro. "And here I thought you were the gossipy popular sort of girl."
"Pffft, I was liked but I wasn't popular" scoffed an amused Ashido. "Boys in particular found me intimidating."
For good reason, thought Izumi.
The rabbit girl didn't think Ashido had a bad personality. It just so happened that Ashido's spirited behavior could be overwhelming for most boys. She just had so much life and energy… no boy Izumi had known would ever manage to keep up.
"You mean by the acid quirk, right?" Jiro guessed.
"Of course, why else?" Ashido said.
Izumi quirked an eyebrow at that but didn't say anything.
"Knowing boys, they probably worried you would dissolve their dicks or something" Jiro harrumphed.
"Kyoka!" Gasped a shocked Yaoyorozu. "There's no need to be so… crass."
"What?" Jiro said with an amused grin. "Come on, Momo, it's what everyone call them."
"She's not wrong" sheepishly chuckled Ashido. "Trust me, when they all learned I could burn anything to a crisp, they all kept their distance. It wasn't always that bad but…" she trailed off.
Suddenly, Izumi and the girls saw another side of the pink-skinned girl. She no longer seemed all smiles and all too lively. In fact, she looked rather subdued.
"I did have a couple of nasty accidents" sighed Ashido. "When I get really angry I can sure produce one hell of an acid slime…"
Izumi, and probably the rest, could easily connect the dots and imagine that there had been a couple of times when Ashido accidently produced powerful acid and might have hurt someone or destroyed something. It wasn't surprising. Many quirks were linked to emotions, and Ashido's quirk was particularly dangerous if not taken care of.
Is that why she is always in a good mood? Izumi wondered, floored by the realization, Is she trying to avoid losing control of her quirk and harm someone?
Then again, maybe Izumi was reading too much into it.
"What about the girls, ribbit?" Asked Asui. "I presume they picked on you?"
Ashido blinked at the frog girl, surprised.
"How did you know?" Wondered the pink-skinned girl.
"It is a good guess if you have a mutant quirk, ribbit" calmly stated Asui.
There was an awkward silent after that statement.
"But, Mina, you don't look too… ehm… different?" Hagakure said, only to immediately turned to Izumi and Asui. "Sorry, I didn't mean it like that!"
"Eh… it's fine?" Replied Izumi, unsure how to respond.
It wasn't like the invisible girl wanted to be hurtful, after all, so why was Hagakure so distraught? Asui, likewise, merely shrugged.
"Well, you are right about that. I did have friends back in middle school, the best friends anyone can ask for… but there are always those jealous types that latch onto anything. Seriously, there are some bitches out there that can give villains a run for their money! In their case it was all about my pink skin. Like, seriously, what do you want to do? Paint my skin?" Harrumphed Ashido.
It was so strange to hear about other people getting bullied, Izumi found it strangely confusing. The fact that quirked people had also faced similar situations to him was quite a new thing for him. Had any of his classmates endured insults like Izumi or had Izumi pretty much managed to spare many of the others from the attention of bullies?
Ashido, apparently, was well over the bullying she received, if the wide smile on her face was anything to go by.
"What about Tsu? Any assholes picking on your lovely froggy looks?" Asked Ashido. "Just gives us the names and we'll think of somewhere to hide the body."
"While I appreciate the sentiment, I don't believe that would be wise, ribbit. It wasn't bad, actually, and nobody really minded my looks. I think it was my bluntness and tone" said Asui. "Many classmates found it creepy or off-putting, ribbit. Luckily, everyone at my class tried not to be rude and I was never outright bullied or picked on, at least not in school. There was also a passing jerk that would throw a colorful comment whenever I was at the park with my siblings. ribbit. Then again, my school was small and our teachers kept it mostly bully free."
"That's good to hear" said Hagakure. "That wasn't like in my school. It was huge and there were tons of other students, so of course there was that special bastard that really likes to bully someone in particular. You know the type."
Bakugo immediately flashed across Izumi's mind.
"There was this girl… urgh, just think about it makes me want to punch something!" Hagakure said, visibly flailing her arms. "She kept harassing me and telling me there was no way I could make it to UA…"
Izumi felt her chest constrict and her breath go hoarse. She got flashbacks of his own classmates, how they would all laugh at her, or rather Izuku. She could remember when they were supposed to discuss their future careers, and everyone mocked her desire to be a hero. Bakugo also came back to mind, making Izumi feel even worse as she remembered all the harsh words the explosive blond sent her way.
Unbeknownst to Izumi, Ochaco had noticed the shift of her friend and looked worried at the rabbit girl.
"…the rest of the class, heck even the school, really couldn't care less. But no, that damn girl just couldn't leave me alone," muttered Hagakure, furious.
Seriously, Izumi had never heard the invisible girl grow so heated and angry, but at the moment Izumi was lost in her past, haunted by the taunting ghosts of her childhood.
"'Oh, what are you going to do? Stand naked?'" Hagakure mockingly repeated what must have been one of her arch nemesis' taunts. "Seriously, that girl had real issues."
Izumi remembered like it was yesterday when her own classmates threw similar taunts:
'What a creep!'
'What were you expecting, Midoriya? To suddenly develop a quirk at the last minute?'
'I bet he was expecting the school to take into account his stupid nerd notes'
Ochaco looked at her friend, unsure how to help, all while Izumi was lost on those horrible moments.
"I bet you really loved it when you made it to UA" said an amused Jiro.
"You bet!" Laughed Hagakure, back to her amicable self. "That girl could not believe it! Kept insisting I cheated or that I slept with someone!"
"Seriously, some people need a good punch" muttered Jiro.
"Hey, are you alright, Izumi?" Ochaco asked.
Broken out of her thoughts, Izumi looked up, only to realize everyone was looking at her. When she turned to Ochaco, Izumi felt terrible for making her friend worry in such a manner.
"Just… remembering stuff" she managed to say in a low whisper.
"That bad, huh?" Ashido sympathetically said.
"I…" Izumi was at a loss what to say.
It wasn't actually Izumi who got picked on, but rather Izuku, the plain quirkless boy, who had been bullied.
"Oh, you mean that guy Bakugo was mad about" Ochaco said.
Izumi mentally swore.
"Bakugo was a bully… go figure" sarcastically scoffed Jiro. "Seriously, that asshole has a few screws loose."
"He's loud, brash and too overly aggressive" muttered Yaoyorozu. "Why would the school allow such behavior?"
"It's the quirk they are after" sighed a despondent Ashido. "Like, seriously girls, explosions? I hate to admit it, but Bakugo won't have that much of a problem climbing up the ranks."
"He doesn't even need a good personality. Just look at Endeavor, ribbit" added Asui. She turned to Izumi, tilting her head with curiosity. "So Bakugo bullied people back at your school?"
"Well… I wouldn't call it my school" Izumi slowly said. In theory, Izumi Midoriya had never attended Aldera, right? So it wasn't a lie. "I just…"
What to say? Izumi really wasn't sure how to proceed. She really didn't want to talk about her other self, especially if she planned to one day come out as Izuku to the class. At the same time, a part of Izumi felt the urge to share her suffering.
A hand wrapped around her hand and Izumi looked at the source. Unsurprising, with a reassuring smile, was Ochaco squeezing her hand. Izumi smiled back and came to a decision. Perhaps not the wisest one, but Izumi couldn't contain herself any longer.
"There was this boy, Izuku… he was quirkless, you see" Izumi started.
The girls all took sharp intakes of breath. Izumi was actually surprised by the reaction. Could they already tell what the story would entail? Probably. Still, she was surprised.
"…and he wanted to be a hero… attend UA even," said Izumi with a sad smile.
"I don't think I like where this is going," admitted a morose Jiro.
"Bakugo… well… he didn't like that Izuku wanted to be a hero," sighed Izumi.
As he retold her tale, she couldn't help but ponder: why? Why had Bakugo been so fixated on picking on his dreams? Had Izuku been such a creep or annoying? Was it because he had been rather nerdy? Or was it just too tempting to belittle the quirkless hopeless dreamer attached to an impossible dream?
"Izuku was… well… he wasn't popular. He is reserved, and shy…" Izumi smiled, amused by the fact she was talking about another facet of hers. "And, well, he had this hobby of his…"
Izumi took a moment to study the girls. She was taken aback by how interested they all looked at her, leaning forward. Even the stoic Asui seemed eager to learn more about poor Izuku's fate.
"…he really liked to study heroes. He had these notebooks in which he would write details about heroes, like their quirks, moves and talents," retold Izumi. "He was trying to learn from them, you see… even named the notebooks…"
Izumi felt her tongue get tied at that. Should she say it? They would all laugh at poor Izuku's hobby, even consider that Izuku got what he deserved. Somehow, Izumi managed to continue, perhaps out of curiosity to see if Ochaco, and the other girls, could really be as mean as her classmates.
Let's see if it is really worth it ever showing them my other form, thought Izumi.
"…Hero Analysis for the future," Izumi said.
Here it comes, Izumi mentally braced herself for the comments.
"Oh, that's so dorky," chuckled Ashido.
"So he was a fan boy? I knew worse," commented a smiling Jiro.
The other girls found it equally amusing. Izumi had to take a few moments, blinking dumbfounded.
"At least he wasn't a pervert for the likes of Mt. Lady, was he?" Asui asked.
"Oh no, of course not!" Izumi said, perhaps a bit too hastily and embarrassed.
"Ooh, so you knew this boy well, huh?" Teased Ashido. "How close exactly?"
"Mina!" The girls said in unison.
"Oh" pouted Ashido. "Fine, fine… a question for another time."
"Bakugo didn't like Izuku's hobby, did he?" Said a wincing Yaoyorozu.
The tall girl clearly could envision the scenarios well. IT wasn't hard to, after all. Bakugo's temperament hadn't lessened after entering UA.
Izumi felt her chest lighten, knots untangling and her breath coming easier. Did they all empathize with her (or rather Izuku)? Izumi suddenly felt emboldened.
"Well, Bakugo didn't like it. In fact, none of Izuku's classmates liked his hobby. They all called him different things, like 'creep', although Bakugo was the worse. He would go out of his way to taunt Izuku. There was this time…"
Izumi wasn't sure, but she felt possessed, as if a pressure deep within could no longer be contained, that she needed to release more of Izuku's past. Izumi deep down knew that perhaps she had to shut up before she carried out and said something truly damning, but she couldn't help it. With a support Ochaco listening attentively and nice girls all around, she felt as if she had to. No, like she could, as if she could finally share what had been haunting her for so long.
"…he actually took one of Izuku's notebooks and scorched it before Izuku's very eyes. Then, he threw the notebook out the window all while challenging Izuku to try and get it back," said Izumi.
"What an asshole," muttered Ochaco.
The girls nodded in agreement. Yaoyorozu, though, looked pained, as if she could guess what was going to happen next. Izumi knew she had to close her mouth right then and there, but she couldn't. For the first time in her life, Izumi felt something akin to vindictiveness. Why was she covering up for Bakugo, after all? The girls deserved to hear about just how cruel Bakugo could be, right?
"Then, just when he was done, taunting a scared Izuku while burning his shoulder, he decided he needed to say more" Izumi retold. "He said, 'you know, there is a way in which you can get a quirk…'"
Here it goes, Izumi thought with trepidation. This was crossing a threshold that there would be no going back from. She knew that once she told the full story, the girls would never see Bakugo in the same light. If Izumi narrated what Bakugo had said next, odds were she would be forever cutting all possible avenues for friendship from the explosive blond. Was it wrong for Izumi not care at all?
"'…you can jump off the window and pray you'll get a quirk on your next life," said Izumi.
The girls all stared, gobsmacked.
"He didn't," said Ashido, in disbelief.
By the looks of it, the rest of the girls shared the same level of disbelief, or anger.
"I can't believe it," whispered Jiro, shaking her head. "I knew he was a Type A asshole, but really? Telling a quirkless boy to kill himself? And for what, because that boy wanted to be a hero?"
"That jerk really missed his bus to Villain School, huh?" commented Hagakure.
Izumi felt like maybe the girls were getting carried away a bit. In fact, Izumi felt a bit of guilt. It wasn't like Bakugo really meant it, right? Yes, it was the worst thing Izumi (or Izuku) had heard, but it wasn't that bad. It was standard bullying, right?
"What happened to that Izuku guy?" Yaoyorozu asked.
"Well…" Izumi said, shocked.
And what the hell am I supposed to say now? Oh, that guy? He's me, actually, Izumi thought.
"Oh God, don't tell me actually killed himself!" Gasped Yaoyorozu.
"No! No, he's alive," Izumi said. "He's…" she blinked, an idea popping in her mind "…working to make it to a hero school. Knowing him, I am sure he will make it."
"Oh, that's so sweet!" cooed Ashido. "Is he your childhood sweetheart or what?"
"No! No!" Exclaimed a horrified Izumi.
"Come on, tell us!" Ashido pleaded.
"No, nothing like that, he's… he's like family" Izumi said.
She immediately felt like slapping herself. Really? Izuku as family?
"Ah, so he's in the brother-zone," said Ashido.
"I hope that guy makes it," said Asui.
"Yeah, I'd love to see Bakugo's face when that happens," snickered Jiro. "It will be priceless."
"Maybe you could give him a call and hang around with us!" Proposed Hagakure.
"Maybe…" said Izumi.
Well, reactions were far more possible than I could have ever hoped for, she thought. She still felt a sense of dread imagining what coming out with her true form would be like.
"I don't get it, though" Ochaco, face scrunched in confusion, said. "Why did you call Bakugo kacchan and act like… I don't know… friendly towards him?"
"She did?" Wondered a baffled Yaoyorozu. "But you just said…"
As if she had swallowed a stone, Izumi felt like something heavy was pushing her entrails down. However, differently from toher times, Izumi wasn't rendered speechless.
"Denial" Izumi said. "I… believe it or not I looked up to Bakugo."
"Seriously girl?" Hagakure said, beyond confused. "That jerk constantly bullies a quirkless boy and you admire him?"
"I know" sighed Izumi nodding.
Looking back to it, Izuku should have known better than cling to the impossible. Thankfully, his stubbornness regarding his hero dreams had been rewarded. The one regarding Bakugo…
"Maybe I didn't want to see it, y'know?" Contemplatively said Izumi. "Bakugo is driven, strong… but I apparently didn't want to admit he was a real jerk."
"Repeat after me: he's a goddamn Grade-A asshole," stated Jiro.
"Oh, you had a crush on Bakugo? Damn, that's sad girl" Ashido sagely hummed.
"I didn't have a crush on Kacchan!" Squawked Izumi, indignant.
"Kacchan?" Chorused the girls.
Izumi immediately dug her face on her pillow. Next to her, Ochaco didn't look all that amused.
"I didn't- and I don't," insisted Izumi. "I just… was a fool. Whatever I thought of him, it is over."
Izumi glared at her hands.
"Bakugo doesn't deserve it," she stated.
And with that, Izumi felt a part of her truly believe that, as if the last vestiges of that impossible dream were finally falling apart. It was for the best, after all.
"S-so, Yao- Momo, why did you want to be a Hero?" Izumi asked, trying to drive the conversation elsewhere. "You are kind of… you know…"
"A really loaded princess," teased Jiro.
And with that, the topic at hand returned to their motivations for hero work. Ochaco remained elusive but they all shared the same reason, most being between the lines of 'I wanted to save people' or 'it sounds like a great profession'.
On and on went the sleepover, with the girls talking and talking. Throughout it, Izumi found her eyelids weighing more and more. She was already tired from all the day's work, and her story had left her emotionally exhausted. Thus, at some point during the night, Izumi dozed off into sweet slumber.
Then, she woke up.
Izumi slowly opened her eyes, only to freeze. Right in front of her was Ochaco. No, not just in front of her. Her face was mere inches from hers. Her arms were wrapped around her and Izumi discovered that her small body was pressed against the brunette's ample chest. However, that was not the end of her horror.
A rabbit ear perked up at the sound of whispers and giggles and, slowly, Izumi turned her head around. Her heart dropped. There, hovering over them with teasing grins and smiles, were none other than a blushing cooing Yaoyorozu and a devious Ashido. Izumi did not appreciate Ashido's face of delight. However, Izumi was much more worried about the cell phone on Ashido's hand, aimed at Izumi and Ochaco.
Next to her, Izumi felt Ochaco wake up, only to feel the brunette's body tensing up. When Izumi turned to look at her, Ochaco's face promised to burst from blood overflow, not that Izumi was faring much better.
"And this is why I love sleepovers," cackled Ashido, taking yet more pictures.