Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Izuku excitedly looked around. It's been awhile since she'd been to a Hero convention, and Suped Heroes was one of the bigger ones. They even held it in Tokyo this time! It was an hour away from Musutafu, but she managed to make it on her own and was happily strolling around and looking at everything. She was over the moon over all the Hero merchandise around, but she was trying to restrain herself and not go crazy.

It was really, really hard.

She couldn't help a few t-shirts though. They had a few limited edition ones and some that were Con Exclusives, so those were a must. She was also super excited about some of the rare merchandise from some Heroes that usually didn't have any. She couldn't help scoring some of those and knew she'd have to rearrange some things when she got home.

There were, of course, tons of All Might merchandise. There were so many that her head was spinning and she wanted them all. Of course, she had to be selective and not just buy whatever (but she was definitely super tempted to). However, there were some she knew she could get later on and weren't collector's items, so Izuku had decided to just limit herself to the ones she knew were or at least were very rare sells.

But then her eyes alighted upon the most magnificent All Might figurine ever —it was super ultra rare, with there only being made three of them. One gifted to All Might himself, the second to the Tokyo Museum of Heroes, and apparently here was the third one. To have that be here, at a convention of all places, and not a Hero auction…

"How much is that?" she eagerly asked.

The seller gave her an indulgent smile, telling her the price. Her eyes bugged out, but she wasn't surprised, given the rarity. But still! The price was equated to basically $5.275 million! That many yen would normally make her think twice, but given what it was…

"I'll buy it!"

Izuku blinked, hearing someone else's voice echo along hers. It was distinctively male, so she was definitely not just hearing herself, and so looking to her side saw her an extremely tall man in a business suit. A salaryman maybe? He had a neat, professional look with dark black hair that had tints of green and was in the traditional 7:3 part, bright amber eyes hidden behind stylish glasses and a very serious look on his face. He was definitely very handsome though and she swore he looked familiar somehow…

"Can you afford it?" the unknown man demanded of her.

She bristled. "Yes, of course! I can pay for it right now, no problem! How about you, Mr. Salaryman? Can you actually afford it?" she accused back.

His serious look became an intense glare, but she didn't back down. He pushed his glasses up and scowled.

"I have more than enough funds to cover the price."

They traded glares at each other, with the seller all bemused and watching them, before the two of them whipped out their phones and went to their Venmo app, scanning the man's code and rapidly typing the price in. They shoved their phones into the man's face.

"I paid!" they both shouted before glaring at each other again.

The seller, bewildered and a bit panicked, glanced at their phones and then checked his.

"Uuuh, they both came through at the same time," he told them uncertainly, still panicked about the situation.

Izuku, desperate and wild, whirled to the 'businessman'. "I'll make you a custom figure of whatever you want for free!"

"And why would I want that?" he demanded.

"My custom arts can go up to $1,000 to $2,000," she said smugly.

The other two's eyes bugged out, before the seller glanced at his phone and gasped. "Oh, are you IzuMi Studios?!"

Izuku blinked, not thinking she'd be recognized. Her face and name wasn't really out there, so it was surprising.

"Yes, that's me," she told him and the seller beamed at her.

"Oh my, I have an Endeavor figure from you that he actually signed after seeing it!" he gushed. "If you could sign it as well, aside from the official certificate and your official hidden signature, I can most definitely lower the price of this All Might figure for you!"

Then the salaryman, who had been forgotten in the meanwhile, started panicking.

"I'll take the figure if you share custody of the All Might figure with me!" he told her desperately and Izuku paused.

On one hand, it sounded like she could get it on her own now. But…looking at him, she saw his desperate and disappointed expression, and felt for the guy.

Izuku rubbed the back of her head. "Alright then." She turned to the seller. "I'll still sign the Endeavor figure, but looks like we're gonna split time with the All Might statue. Anyway, we can split the total on it and we'll figure out the split time after this. Sir, can we do something about the payment now?"

"Yes," both the salaryman and the seller said and she looked at them both hesitantly. The salaryman blushed lightly, which was cute.

"I'll return half of both your payments, right now," the seller told her. "Though I'll shave off a bit more for you, since you'll be signing off on the Endeavor figure. I'll be able to raise the price on it then."

They patiently waited for the seller to work on his phone and then afterwards, he went to the side and then brought out the Endeavor figure she remembered working on a month ago for a charity auction. Glancing at this stall made her realize that it was a special charity booth, so it explained the expensive and rare finds.

She took a permanent marker from the seller and signed where the man pointed at, before turning towards the other man, who was looking at the Endeavor statue in intense interest.

"You did this?" he asked and Izuku nodded, watching the seller put away the Endeavor figurine and then carefully starting to put away the All Might statue the two of them had been fighting over.

"It's really, really good," he told her softly, pushing his glasses up again. "You're very talented and I can see why your commissions can cost that much."

She smiled brightly at him. "Thank you! I appreciate it," she said, watching him carefully pick up the boxed statue. "Do you want to head to the food court to discuss our 'custody arrangement'?"

He looked briefly amused, but nodded in answer to her question. "Then I'll buy us lunch," he offered.

Izuku blushed heavily, but accepted the offer since she was hungry. "I'll have an ahi tuna and salmon poke bowl, if you don't mind."

They reached a table and he was careful to place their boxed statue on it. "Then I'll be back a moment," he told her and she sat down to wait for him. She couldn't help place the box closer to her, wanting to unbox it and look it over in awe. But she was patient and held off, waiting for the man she'd just met to come back. When he did, it seemed he also ordered a poke bowl and he sat down opposite her after handing over her food.

Both of them took a few quiet bites of their food, before he started. Clasping his hands together, he leaned towards her.

"I live in Tokyo," he told her plainly.

"I live in Musutafu," she admitted. "Since that's an hour difference, we can switch over every week?"

"I am amiable to that," he agreed. "I could drive over to you tomorrow to drop off the statue and you can start off the arrangement?"

"That's fine and we could start on designing your custom figure then as well," Izuku offered.

"I'd like that," he actually smiled at her and he looked infinitely more handsome like that. It made her blush a little.

He cleared his throat and looked a bit awkward then. "I do have to ask though…Why did you agree to sharing the All Might statue with me? I'm pretty sure the seller was willing to hand it off to you."

She was fully blushing by then though. "I, well…You just seemed like a…Well, you seemed also like a really, really super fan of All Might's too!" she gushed, all excited. "I met other fans too, but no one like you! I just saw back then, and sympathized and felt for you as a fellow fan, so I thought 'why not?' when you suggested the shared custody."

This time he was the one fully blushing.

He stood up and bowed respectfully. "I owe you my thanks. I am very grateful to you and hope we can share this All Might figure amiably from now on."

She hastily stood up as well and bowed to him. "I hope so too! Ah, my name is Midoriya Izuku; pleased to meet you!"

He straightened up. "I am Sasaki Mirai, Midoriya-kun. I'm pleased to meet you as well."

They traded smiles before they sat back down. Izuku, shyly but super giddy now, leaned toward him.

"I like All Might a lot because I've always loved how he saves everyone with a smile! It's always made me feel safe and gave me comfort seeing it. It made me feel a little less alone in this world."

He beamed at her, which made him so much more younger and every bit as handsome as he was.

"I understand what you mean. All Might is always a Hero that does his best to save everyone he can, no matter what. He'll smile through it all, just so he can offer just that extra bit of safety and comfort. I've followed him since his debut, and have been inspired by his dedication and devotion."

Izuku got all excited and then it was like they'd known each other forever as they gushed over All Might together, debating about Heroes, and talking about Heroics and talking about how and which Hero worked best together and in which area…

She had never had so much fun or meshed so well with someone until now.

Mirai had not expected this. When he came to this convention, having been asked to do a brief special appearance, he had come with the intention to be quick and efficient about it and then disguise himself to enjoy the convention and look around to see anything that might catch his eye. He was always game for convention exclusive All Might merchandise, and maybe something special might pop up.

To his surprise, a couple of surprises came his way.

First, the ultra rare All Might statue that he'd been dying to get his hands on. Second, this young girl who was surprisingly a kindred to his love of all things All Might. She was also incredibly bright and easily drew him into conversation and kept up with him, as well as having their talk flow so easily between them. It felt natural and comfortable, and it was like he was talking to an old friend that he'd known forever.

She was also, he wasn't afraid to admit, very pretty. He had never been the type to be social or engage with others much outside of work, but in the past, the few times he'd had liaisons had been few and far between. And the fact was, he'd never had much interest in dating or had been strongly attracted to others, even if he had found others attractive.

Midoriya —Izuku was someone he found himself surprisingly very attracted to.

Despite that she was young and someone very much his junior, he liked her and they had much in common. She was also someone he could actually converse with and enjoy a conversation with. She shared his love of All Might and he was actually having a good time with her.

Mirai could think that…for the first time in a long time, he'd made a friend.

Started 11/20/22 — Completed 11/24/22

Chapter Text

Mirai was meticulous with his appearance, making sure that the yellow of his hair and his eyebrows looked naturally black. He'd carefully spread the dye through the rest of his hair, so that he'd looked less like himself and more like some nameless office worker with common dark hair. He hesitated with his glasses though and kept in his colored contacts, which made his yellow irises look amber. He even casually brushed through his hair, not bothering to style it neatly into its usual smoothed down look and looking slightly messy (though he couldn't help the usual hair parting).

All in all, he actually didn't look like himself, even more so than he'd had back at the convention.

Though he was sure later on that he would become comfortable enough with Izuku to let her know who he was, it was too early in their acquaintance to tell her who exactly he was. Besides, he liked and enjoyed the anonymity he had and which had allowed him to befriend her the way he had —they were getting along and had many shared interests and a common love for all things All Might, and it was like he was a normal man and the two of them had a normal relationship sprung by a normal, random meeting in a Hero convention, just like a scene in a manga. Well, probably a shoujo manga, but a manga none the less.

He did not rule out a manwha or k-drama setting either.

Mirai shook his head at himself and carefully retrieved the box containing the cause of this situation —the All Might statue he had finally gotten his hands on, albeit it being shared by another. Heading to his car and securing it safely in it, Mirai only glanced back at his Agency once before he started to drive off. It'll be fine without him for a day; Centipeder and Bubble Girl knew he wouldn't be in and had been instructed on what to do, and they knew to call him for any emergencies. Mirio would be in UA today and he had brought along his laptop to do work on.

Looking at his phone, he had the GPS set to the location that she sent to him that morning and settled in for the drive to Musutafu.

Less than an hour later, given traffic was good and he had made good time, Mirai was then looking at a rather large warehouse. He blinked but considered that maybe it was her 'workplace' and that she took spot in it or shared it with other businesses. There were other warehouses around the area that looked industrial, so the location might be a place to store things fom businesses —maybe she had a contract or some sort of deal that allowed her space here.

Heading over to the metal door, he was surprised to see a doorbell with a camera. Pressing the buzzer, he was taken aback when he heard Izuku answer through it.

"Oh, you're here already, Sasaki-san? Please hold on! I'll be right there!" he heard loud thumps and then the noise cut off, and so he awkwardly stood there waiting.

The door began to electronically move, sliding to the side and allowing him in. He ducked through and then paused, glancing around in shock at the large open-floor space. Wood flooring made it look rustic, but the multiple metal tables showcased a lot of works in different states of progress, along with a computer setup to the side that held multiple monitors as well as a comfortable gaming chair in front of it that spoke of long hours in front of those screens.

Glimpsing again at the various projects echoed his impressed attitude of before, when he had first seen the Endeavor statue that she had apparently done. There was an unpainted statue of Mirko that looked right out of a battle he recalled happening two weeks ago, a diorama of Best Jeanist in a fashion show from last year, and various paintings and sketches scattered about.

He was just tempted to look at a sketch of one of All Might's latest fights, when he was surprised by Izuku's sudden appearance through the doors of the freight elevator opening (and how the hell had he missed that huge thing?).

"Sasaki-san! You're here," she beamed brightly at him and he hoped his cheeks didn't become embarrassingly red. He did not, however, restrain the small smile that crept up and he was glad that she was enthusiastic at seeing him.

He held up the box. "I've brought the statue safely."

She giggled. "Or you mean…'I am HERE…with the statue.'"

He felt his lips curl even more and his smile was wide and amused. "And so I am. Shall we unbox it here?"

She waved it off. "No, no! Not in my work area. I don't want fumes or whatever I've got going on in here to get on it. Let's go up a floor and unbox it in my apartment."

He thought that over…Apartment?

Like she could read his mind, she answered him while leading the way to the freight elevator.

"This warehouse is mine. I've converted it into a loft apartment —down here is my workspace, and above is my living area."

Mirai blinked amazed and wondered how that could be or even if that was safe. Would it even be livable or somehow a good place to stay in? Are the living conditions alright —

He promptly stayed rooted to his spot in the elevator, as he looked out in his shock. While the ground floor was every bit of a warehouse, this floor was every bit of an apartment with the 1st floor containing a living area with couches and a coffee table and a kitchen to the side of that (as well as a smaller room to the back of the room that looked to be a more intimate gathering space). The second floor was visible since the entire place was an open-plan setup, and to the corner with glazed-out wall enclosures could've been her room. Or her bathroom.

Both thoughts made him inwardly blush.

"We should open it here," she told him and led him to the couches.

He placed the box on the coffee table and opened it, letting her be the one to reach in to take it out. Once she'd placed it on the table, both of them admired it and equally sighed in content. Hearing each other, they traded looks and grinned, laughing.

"It's perfect," she declared dreamily. "It's a perfect addition to our collection."

The 'our' made him shiver and bite his tongue.

"Speaking of, where is your collection?" he glanced around, wondering where she would place it. While he saw lots of Hero merchandise placed about, especially of All Might, he was curious to see her collection. Did she mean the All Might merchandise placed around her apartment…?

"Oh, I don't have it here," she hmmed. "It's in the basement."

He inwardly wrinkled his nose. The basement? Wouldn't they be in danger of mold or moisture or-or-or —

"Would you like to see it?" she asked and he nodded, trying not to look too curious.

When she led him back into the freight elevator, he saw that there was indeed a basement option. However, pressing it, he was surprise to see her specifically press her thumb on it and that the button lit up and actually scan it. Then they were going down and Mirai thought he couldn't get surprised again.

He wasn't surprised. He was shocked out of his mind and in awe at the basement floor.

"I get paid well, so I tend to spend a lot on Hero merchandise," she blushed. "I especially indulge in my favorites, and of course All Might," she told him, gesturing to the basement which was covered with probably every All Might merchandise in existence.

Mirai was actually very envious.

"Is that his jacket from his college years?" he couldn't help gasp, eyes widening as he made a bee-line towards the varsity jacket with the sakura blossoms displayed on the back.

Izuku came over, looking very smug and proud. "It is! Oooh, that one was a really good find. His college had reached out to him and asked if they could donate it to a charity auction, and I remember the Americans barely betting on it because they didn't recognize it or the significance of it, and since it was an American auction, I was able to score it before anyone else could."

Ugh, Mirai was intensely jealous and very, very inspired and impressed.

He looked around, even turning in a circle as he observed her extremely impressive, enviable collection. He could spend hours in here, get lost and want to look at every little thing.

"While I'm working on the initial sketches for your figurine, did you want to work in the loft?" she asked him, breaking him out of his thoughts.

He pushed his glasses up. "If you don't mind? I brought along my laptop to work," he patted his bag, though his eyes strayed to the second hoodie off to the side, near to the All Might varsity jacket. He peered a little closer and blinked. "Oh, that's David Shield's college hoodie on the day of All Might's American debut!"

Izuku glanced at it in surprise. "That? Yeah! I collect things of All Might's Sidekicks too. There's a section right there for David Shield and a place a little close by for Sir Nighteye. I have a little more for him, since he's more active in the Hero scene than David Shield, but I also really like him lots too."

Mirai felt himself flush with embarrassment and pride. He swallowed deeply.

"W-why would you collect things for them?" he asked and she looked at him curiously.

"Why not? They're important people to him and a huge part of All Might's life," she told him brightly. "Even now, David Shield continues to provide support and suits for All Might while Sir Nighteye spent 5 years dedicated and diligently working at his side, and has now grown to be an awesome Hero in his own right. They're both amazing too!"

His embarrassment doubled and yet he felt pleased and happy to be talked about this way. He was never the Hero people fangirled or fanboyed over, or was in the spotlight much, but he had always been okay with that. It was never an important point to him.

But hearing him being talked about like that, by Izuku no less…

No amount of indifference filled him then. He felt like he was floating and on a high and this was an uncommon feeling for him. The last time he ever felt like this was when All Might had finally accepted him as a Sidekick.

"Here," she grabbed his hand and eagerly led the way, showing the small but very filled section for Mirai. "These are from his years as a Sidekick. He has his own section in the other warehouse where I keep my other Hero stuff at."

Mirai also gawped at the things she had for him —was that one of his suits?

"That one came with this broken Hyper-Density Seal," she explained, pointing out the items. "Both of them were from the first time Sir Nighteye went into actual battle with All Might, so technically his debut. I also own a pair of his old glasses, broken during the battle against The Lizard, and those cufflinks were from the Sky Egg incident…" and on and on she went.

She hadn't been even halfway done before Mirai's cheeks were blaring red and he felt like he was going to explode.

"You…you really seem to like him," Mirai stated weakly and she beamed at him.

"Of course! To be honest, I admire him for fighting mostly Quirkless, like Eraserhead, but also for being supremely smart. It's hard to find Heroes who focus a lot on their brains and I like smart people —it's hard to find people who are smart and I can talk equally with," she bit her lip shyly.

"I'm sure he'll be pleased to be appreciated," he muttered, looking away and trying to will his face to cool down.

"Anyway, now that I think about it, you mentioned at the convention that you liked the look of Silver Age All Might, and I was thinking of adding Nighteye at his side," she mused. "Silver Age was when Nighteye appeared and if you're a big fan of the Silver Age, he was a big part of that era for All Might and is a must inclusion."

"You think so?" he asked quietly, feeling like he wanted to hide his face.

"Only if you want though. It is your commission," Izuku smiled patiently.

"Then I'd like that please," the embarrassment and bliss wouldn't leave him.

"Excellent! I can get started and you can wait up in the loft. Feel free to make yourself at home, okay?" she said, taking his hand again and leading him back to the elevator.

He was following her until he saw something that made him halt in his steps, rooted to the spot until he could do nothing but stare at the magnificent addition to Izuku's collection.

"Is that…is that All Might and David Shield's Allmobile?" he breathed out as he darted to it. "I never knew what happened to it!"

"It went to private auction," she revealed to him as she trailed after him, slightly amused but very understanding of his reaction. "The All Might figurine we bought? That price was a dime in a bucket compared to what this went."

Mirai winced but couldn't help going back to admiring the Allmobile. "Does it work? How'd you get it in here?"

"I had it disassembled and reassembled," she said. "It works though. Go on, you can go inside."

His eyes darted to her in manic eagerness and shock and then back to the Allmobile, going back and forth for a while. He hesitantly reached for the door and opened it, and then tentatively slid onto the seat. He held his breath, feeling exulted.

"This is amazing," his heart fluttered and he couldn't help running his hands over everything.

Izuku grinned and reached in through the open door, going across Mirai's body to look to the side of the wheel, making him hold his breath for another reason (oh…she smelled sweet and she was way too close to him…). She did something and the Allmobile turned on.

And Mirai felt like he'd landed in Heaven where everything was perfect.

"Did you ever drive this?" he asked eagerly while she moved back, standing beside the open door.

"Once, before I brought it down here," she admitted. "I couldn't help it, even though I didn't have a license at the time."

He would have done the same. It was the Allmobile.

Lamenting that he wished he had more time to look down there, he instead settled comfortably on one of the couches in the loft and retrieved his laptop. The unboxed All Might statue grinned at him from where it was situated on the coffee table in front of him, and he let himself grin back at it.

Today had been good. No, today had been perfect.

And the girl he had so fatedly met was just as limited edition as every single thing she'd owned in her collection.

Mirai wouldn't mind being part of her collection.

Started 12/5/22 – Completed 12/17/22

Chapter Text

Here in Tokyo for a delivery! Wanna eat lunch together?

Mirai glanced at his phone and smiled to himself as he saw the text from Izuku. It was his lunchtime and though he usually ate in his office (and on a rare occasion in the break room), he thought he wouldn't mind eating out. Izuku was around after all and since she'd come all that way, there was no way he wouldn't miss the chance to see her.

"Sir, it's time for lunch? Do you want us to pick you up something from Wacdonald's or Cantina?" Awata asked him, poking her head into his office.

He cleared his throat and gripped his phone, trying not to glance at it.

"No, I'll be fine. I will be meeting someone for lunch," he informed her.

"Ah, business calls, huh?" she said sympathetically. "Well, enjoy your lunch still!"

She left and Mirai wondered if it was too strange to think he might have a social life and have personal connections after all.

Then again, he couldn't think of a time where work wasn't his focus.

Grabbing his bag, he rummaged around for his hair dye and colored eye contacts, hurriedly heading to his room to fix his disguise quickly so he could set out to meet her.

Izuku glanced at her phone, seeing Mirai's text back, asking where in Tokyo was she. After answering him, he sent a location of a restaurant and she raised her eyebrows.

Hakushu Teppanyaki? That place was pretty pricey…But she was hungry and it was his treat, he said, despite her being the one inviting him to lunch in the first place. Making her way to the restaurant, she texted him when she was there and quickly received a reply that he was inside.

When she went in, she looked around until she saw him waiting at the counter table and she grinned, trying to sneak up on him. At last minute though, he turned and poked her forehead, giving her a bland look.

"Nice try," he said dryly. "But it's not so easy to sneak up on me."

She pouted and took the seat next to him. "I swear I'll get you one of these days," she promised.

A small hint of a smile showed on his face before it was back to the usual serious look Mirai always sported.

"So you were making a delivery?" he asked her. "I didn't know you did deliveries."

"Rarely," she shrugged, taking the menu from him and flipped through it slowly. "But it was at TBM Studios and that's where Present Mic does his radio show. Excuse the fangirl in me if I wanted to personally deliver their commission and hopefully see a glimpse of him."

He chuckled quietly. "Of course, of course. Never underestimate a fangirl."

"Or fanboy," she poked his shoulder and he rolled his eyes.

"Did you get to see him?" he asked and she immediately brightened.

"Oooh, yes! He even signed one of my notebooks! I also met Ishibashi Hikaru, who is even cuter in person," she giggled. "He's part of Bridge Rock of the Yappa Kimagure Rock show," she explained and he looked like he vaguely recognized the name of the musician and of the show. "He's the one who commissioned me for a painting of Mogami Kyoko in her new role."

He seemed taken aback. "I didn't know you did commissions outside of Heroes."

Izuku closed the menu, having decided on what she was going to order. "It's my main focus, given that most people who contact me are Hero fans. But I do other subjects as well —celebrities, crime recreations for the police, original characters, anime and other shows, and even a few Villains," she admitted.

"I want to be surprised that there are people who ask for some sort of merchandise of Villains, but I'm not," he scowled. "Of course there are those kind of people…"

Izuku awkwardly cleared her throat and then gently nudged him as their waiter came to them.

"I'll have the beef tataki and the thinly sliced kobe beef," she ordered and Mirai glanced at his menu briefly, "The Kansai-style mixed okonomiyaki please."

"Um, speaking of commissions," she started hesitantly after the waiter left, looking to him. He watched her patiently and she scrambled for her bag and took out her tablet, turning the screen on and getting it ready. "I just wanted to ask you a few things."

Mirai looked at the initial sketch on screen, already impressed and feeling giddy about how it would look. He wondered if he could have a copy of that sketch to be able to admire.

"First off, on Nighteye, should I do his regular 7:3 hair part neat or should I have it unkempt?" she asked, all business. "I'm basing this off of this scene," she pulled up the image, which was nostalgic for Mirai as he remembered that day. "His hair is off here, you see? So do you want authenticity or do you just want the Nighteye figure to be exact as he is? Same issue with All Might; his eye lines are two inches off from the way they usually are back then in that battle, probably due to the strain of the aftermath, which affected his face."

Mirai blinked, considering that. He hadn't actually thought over all the details or realized there was a lot of thought that had to go into this at all. But…

"Authenticity," he decided. "I'd prefer that over something picturesque. It makes it more true to life, than if you were to just readjust the scene to keep the two in perfect order."

Izuku nodded, making a tiny note in the corner of the screen, saved her work and then put it away.

"Great! Work over, now let's eat and enjoy! Say, have you seen the new book on All Might coming out?"

Mirai couldn't stop grinning as they chattered and then watched their chef cooking their food on the grill together.

Izuku, back home now, went to her bed and let herself plop face down on it. She tiredly took her bag strap off of her shoulder and shoved the bag away from her, trying to get relaxed before she had to do anything else. It had been a long day; a good day, but really long.

Her phone rang then and she grumbled as she fumbled for her cell in her pocket. Finally getting it out, she answered it after she saw the Caller ID.

"Hey, Okaa-san," she greeted happily, though she was obviously still tired. "How's it going?"

"Okay, so far," Inko answered her back warmly. "Are you doing okay home? Or are you at your loft?"

"Loft," she answered. "I had a recent commission I'm working on. Is Dad doing okay?"

"He's a bit stressed, but he's doing alright. What about school? Have you been working hard? I know Aldera has been really rough."

Izuku grimaced. "Yes, I have been," she lied, having not attended for at least a week. Besides, her…other schooling had been doing much better.

"Just keep doing your best, Izuku. Middle school will be over soon enough and then it's a fresh start in high school."

"…Of course, Okaa-san," she muttered.

They talked for a few more minutes before they hung up and Izuku rolled over onto her back. She tried not to think about school and instead thought over on her day, smiling to herself as she remembered her lunch date with Mirai.

That had been fun and she had had a really good time with him. She didn't remember a time where she had gotten along so well with someone and had so much in common —not since she was a child and still 'friends' with Katsuki, before her Quirkless diagnosis.

Remembering that, her smile died down. She wondered how Mirai would feel and act towards her if he knew she was Quirkless? Would he be the same as Katsuki and everyone else? Or would he just ghost her and pretend they never met? She didn't know which would hurt more…

Her phone vibrated, alerting her to a text and she miserably went to read it. She couldn't help her lips twitching up a bit at seeing it though.

Today was nice. Will you be free tomorrow?

She bit her lip, going through tomorrow in her head. She sent a text back after, wondering if she really had the time.

I 'll be in Tokyo, but I'll be busy in the morning. Lunch date again?

Izuku flung an arm across her face and blushed.

Mirai stared at his phone, blinking at the reply. His cheeks burned and he was pretty sure his face didn't look like its normal sternness at all. He was pretty sure he looked nothing like himself.

He quickly texted an affirmative and then planted his face in his hands, feeling completely off and not sure what to do with himself.

"…I'm off back to home, Sir —are you okay, Sir?" Mirio was at his door, looking at him concerned and Mirai had no idea what to tell him.

"…Yes, I'm fine, Togata-kun," he said, glad his voice was steady and the 2nd year wouldn't question it. "I was just…thinking about something. Tomorrow, I'll reevaluate how your Quirk Control is and then you can have the rest of the day off or you can work with Bubble Girl and Centipeder on organizing a few files."

His intern smiled brightly and mock saluted. "Yes, Sir! See you tomorrow then!"

Mirai inwardly smiled, thinking this boy would definitely go far and would be perfect for Toshinori to pass the torch and One For All to. Now if only he could convince Toshinori to retire and find a successor…

The next day found Mirai waiting on a text from Izuku about lunch, having already left the Agency and was starting his car. Unfortunately, she hadn't replied at all and he was getting worried. He was hoping she was just busy and not feeling like he was pressuring her or annoyingly contacting her too much, but if he was irritating or being creepy —

Hey, I 'm so so sorry! Turns out I have two more classes. They switched them to today, so I'm going to have to skip lunch if I want to get to them :( Please eat well for the both of us! Reschedule for tomorrow?

Mirai was certain she wasn't making an excuse, but it did bother him that she would have to skip eating. If a class traditionally took an hour, then two hours of lectures without having gone with lunch wouldn't be good. How could she even concentrate being on empty?

I could drop you off something for you to eat? Skipping a meal, especially when you have to learn, won 't help you.

He hoped he wasn't being invasive or pushy, but as a newfound friend, he didn't want her to suffer.

Would you mind? I 'd appreciate it!

Mirai smiled and then told her to text her location, receiving it after. He put his car on Drive and then followed his GPS, following the directions to the address.

Stopping and parking in front of a huge connection of buildings, he glanced again at his phone and read the area's location —Meijirodai International Village. He wondered about the area as he text Izuku he was there, only to be startled a few moments later at a knock on his window. Seeing her there, smiling widely, he smiled back and indicated for her to move back as he opened his door and stepped out. He grabbed the bag of food he'd gotten from a Wacdonald's and held it up for her.

"It's not much, but I wanted to hurry and get this to you, so you can eat quickly and have a little something to hold you over while you have classes," he said, curiously looking around.

She pointed to the buildings he had been first curious about. "That's Meijirodai," she told him, opening the bag and shoving a hand in to quickly eat some fries. She licked her lips and hummed happily. "That's housing for Todai students. I have a place there in case I need to crash there after a late night at the school or a break in between classes."

Mirai paused and went through that quickly in his head. "You go to the University of Tokyo?" he asked in surprise and once again impressed.

She gave a sheepish grin. "Yeah? I never mentioned it when I said I had to go to classes?"

He shook his head, even as she finished off the fries in record time and then went for her burger. He reopened his door.

"Do you want a ride? I could take you over to the university's campus?"

"No, it's okay," she said after she swallowed a bite. "It's not far from here and parking is horrible. Actually, I was wondering if you want to attend my last two classes with me? We could eat for real afterwards, though it might be a late lunch or early dinner. Unless you have to get back to work?"

"I settled everything back at my work," he said immediately, mind already whirling over the offer. "I would love to go with you."

She beamed at him. "The first one is actually a seminar. After that though, is an actual class."

"I can take your book bag, while you eat," he offered, taking her bag. "I ate on the drive over, so I'll be fine."

Izuku led the way and he wondered what sort of classes was she taking. He had never asked about her studies or asked what school she was going to, only finding out now that she was apparently attending the prestigious Tokyo University, the number one university in Japan. It spoke even more about how intelligent his newly made friend was.

It was only reiterated and reinforced as he sat through the seminar stiffly, in shock and uneasy (and more than a little embarrassed to feel stupid) to not understand anything.

Everything was going over his head and he inwardly admitted he was a bit intimidated, more so as he realized the young girl next to him was focused and listening intently, and was meticulously writing down notes.

Mirai had always thought he was a smart man and he had never questioned it before. He was questioning it now.

When the seminar was over and they were walking out, he didn't think he could ever feel like he was dumb until now.

"Sasaki-san, is everything okay?" she asked, noticing his quietness.

He flushed red. "Yes, I'm fine. Just…I didn't understand anything."

"That's okay," she told him. "I don't expect you to. Not that I think you're dumb or anything! It's just…Mathematical Sciences isn't exactly the type of subject people easily get. I'm a math person," she admitted, rocking on her feet nonchalantly. "And science! I find them fun, though most people probably wouldn't. My favorite thing is analyzing things and people, you know? Especially Quirks, which is actually my next class."

He felt a bit better after what she said, but he was intrigued by that last part.

"Quirks?"

She grinned enthusiastically.

Quirk Analytics was her favorite class. It looked like it would be Mirai's too, who looked enraptured and like he was actually enjoying himself. He looked a lot more at home and at ease in here, where he had looked blank and maybe a little lost after her seminar.

She participated in the debate with the other students, spoke out theories on Quirks and then they did a round table discussion about Quirk Singularity, which was an old scientific Quirk theory that might have more of a basis than had been accepted back then.

After class, she piled out with the rest of them, with Mirai by her side.

"You looked like you enjoyed that much better," she grinned and was rewarded by one of his small smiles.

"I did actually," he admitted easily. "It was interesting to see what people thought about Quirks, how they came about or even breaking down individual Quirks to strengths and weaknesses."

"That's probably my favorite part, especially since I'm majoring in that and because I've been doing that since I was young and filling up tons of notebooks with Quirk Analysis about Heroes and some Villains," she gushed excitedly.

Mirai's eyes lit up. "Have you? Do you mind letting me see some of those notebooks?"

Though surprised at his interest in her little hobby, she agreed to it without a thought.

Started 12/17/22 – Completed 12/19/22

Chapter Text

Mirai was on his phone again. Work was slow that day and Izuku had texted him over his lunch break, telling him about class. Two weeks had passed since they first met and they had met several times for lunch. He again had also come over to her workplace to spend a day working in her loft while she worked on his commission, picking up the All Might statue for his turn with it (it was currently displayed prominently in his office and he glanced at it fondly every few minutes, reminded of a certain girl).

He had also had a few of her notebooks that he eagerly poured over, curious and eager about them. After finally reading a few, he was more than impressed and would have loved to hire her on for his Agency, if he hadn't known it would interfere with her already busy schedule. School was a priority and her commission list, not including his free one, was packed.

But, the reality was, Professional Quirk Analysts were actually quite rare. You had to have been certificated, which meant you had to have a degree (which he knew Izuku was working for, considering her major and the courses he knew she was taking currently). That said, it was rarer still to have any skilled ones, much less someone as gifted as Izuku. Even unlicensed as she was, she would still be highly sought after and he hoped that after she finished her studies, that once he let her know who he was (which was a whole other issue to tackle), that she'd consider working with him. Working with her (someone he liked and admired, and got along with immensely) would be a dream come true.

A knock on his open door showed Awata, who came in with her report, striding towards him to hand it over. While he accepted it, a Cheshire grin grew on her face.

"My, my, Sir…you've been texting quite a bit more nowadays," she said teasingly, leaning forward on his desk and trying to peer at his phone.

He flinched and tucked his phone into his pocket, frowning at her. He hesitated, but it wasn't like he wanted to hide Izuku.

"I made a friend that time I had to go to a convention," he admitted to her.

"I knew it!" he heard Mirio yell, peeking his blond head into the room. "I told you Sir met a girl!"

"Now, now, he hasn't said if it was a female or male," Juzou appeared by Mirio's head, patting his head. "We do not presume or judge."

"And we don't know if it's romantic or not," Awata sighed, finally making some sense.

"First of all, I'm straight," he hissed at them. "Second, she's just a friend, I said!"

"So he says," Mirio muttered.

"Right? He's not going to admit it to us if he has a new ladylove," Awata pouted, commiserating with the others.

"But when he's ready, we'll be there, you two," Juzou chipped in.

A tick developed by his temple and he glared at them. "Out, you three!"

He shooed them out, inwardly rolling his eyes and sighing, but a reluctant sense of fondness filled him too. Geez, those three…

As much as she hated to, she had to make an appearance at Aldera. Though she was taking classes at Todai, if she wanted to fulfill her dream of being a Hero, she had to get into a Hero school, which meant getting through junior high to make it to high school —and hopefully into UA.

But she  hated  Aldera Middle School.

Wherever Izuku turned, whispers and glares, taunts and physical force, bullying in any form…Even her teachers weren't immune to belittling her. The only thing getting her through the week was her university classes that she'd loved, and…

Well, Mirai's texts and meet ups.

Her mother, as a traveling nurse, was tired and always on the go and working her ass off. Her father was overseas and working hard. Which left Izuku alone to deal with the majority of her life, especially given her Quirkless status (which gave her a whole different other set of laws to follow, than everyone else, but only because she took Quirk Law and knew her way around).

Having Mirai filled the void and made her less lonely. She had someone to talk to and have a good time with, someone who understood her and enjoyed her company. They had so much in common and the fact that a handsome guy like him listened to her and liked talking to her made her feel so much better about herself.

So, as she trudged into her mom's home —a place she had to go to as her loft was too far away and it was way too late to head to —Izuku slipped into the small apartment and stumbled towards her old room, where she plopped backwards on the bed and stared at her ceiling. She fumbled for her phone and did something she hadn't before.

She called Mirai.

Mirai was locking up the Agency, tiredly making sure everything was closed and secure before he'd head up to his 'room'. He didn't have an 'apartment' per se, but he'd had an attached room to his office where he stayed and slept in. It made him easily accessible, but it didn't afford him his own actual space and personal area, nor a place to separate work from 'home'. He literally slept at work.

It would be nice to having something like Izuku's home, where though she had it at her workplace, she also had an area that was completely her own and could be considered separate. It was a place where she could relax and wind down at, whereas he admitted his room was just a connecting room to his office that would hardly be a place he could have anyone over.

Speaking of, to his surprise, his phone was ringing and he saw that Izuku herself had called him. She hadn't called before, so it was with a pleasant but curious thought that he answered.

"Hello, Midoriya-kun?"

"Hey! I hope I'm not, uh, interrupting you or anything?"

"Not at all. Work's done and I was just getting ready for the night. I might make some tea and settle down to catch up on a book I haven't been managing to read. How about you?"

"I finished a project," she said, voice tired and sounding sleepy. "It was a…long day. But I wanted to talk to you and see how your day was…and hear your voice…"

His face flushed red and elation and embarrassment was quick to fill him, though he was glad she couldn't see him.

"I'm glad you were able to finish something," he told her. "I'll tell you my day if you tell me yours?"

And then they were chatting and talking about their days like it was a normal thing they've done, and when she dozed off at the end before they could hang up, Mirai smiled to himself.

"I'm happy to have been able to hear your voice too," he murmured into his phone. "Goodnight and sweet dreams."

After that, it became a nightly thing they did every day, even on days where they met up for lunch. They caught each other up on how their day went and chatted for awhile, then they bid each other goodnight. Sometimes, they talked late into the night, speaking until one of them fell asleep.

Three weeks into their newfound friendship, and Mirai had never been happier and had never been closer to anyone. Not even Toshinori had been this way…

But of course, just a couple days before it was time for him to return the All Might statue to her, she didn't text him all day and then didn't call him that night. And then it repeated the next day.

Two days of radio silence from the girl who Mirai considered, sadly enough, his best friend.

He was more than worried and as it was time to deliver the statue over, he thought that it would be a good time to check in with her and see what was wrong.

And hope it wasn't him.

Started 12/19/22 - Completed 12/21/22 (12:36 am)

Chapter Text

Mirai had never considered their relationship 'creepy' or strange. They were two individuals that got along and had many things in common, something he had never been used to. Yes, he was 37 and she was most likely in her early 20's, but it had never bothered him most days and he assumed she hadn't cared either. She never seemed like it did.

But then again, if he considered other people's opinion…

Having had no answer at her workplace when he called, he had traveled to Tokyo University and had hesitantly went to the student housing she said she sometimes stayed in. Though no one had known of her whereabouts when he'd questioned, he was aware of the curious looks sent his way. He tried to not pay it any attention, but it had definitely brought up the strangeness of his relationship with Izuku in his mind.

Sighing to himself, he headed towards where he remembered her Quirks Analytics class was, hoping the professor was still there and might have news. Remembering that class, he thought that if he hadn't been so busy as a Pro-Hero, then he wouldn't have minded taking the class as well. As it was, his job took enough of his time and whatever was left, he had begun to dedicate the free time to Izuku. Pre-Izuku just meant he worked more and probably would've been considered a workaholic, but now he was glad to fill his days with something…more than work.

Finding the class, he located the professor's office and knocked.

"Sorry, my office hours are over and I'm about to head home," he heard from beyond the door.

He cleared his throat. "I apologize. I'm not here about the class —there's a student of yours that I wanted to inquire about."

The silence that greeted him made him frown, but soon enough the door opened and he was face to face with Izuku's professor.

"My name is Sasaki Mirai, Togawa-sensei," he bowed politely. "I am a friend of Midoriya Izuku?"

"Yes, I remember you," Togawa-sensei blinked. "You attended class that one day with her. Does she need something other than the papers she missed today?"

Mirai paused. "She missed class? Actually, that is what I'd like to ask about —I haven't been able to contact her and was worried. I've been asking around to see if anyone knows where she is or if she's okay."

Togawa-sensei hmmed. "She was in an accident, so that's probably why she hasn't been able to contact you. She's in Musutafu Health Clinic. I was actually collecting her papers for her to catch up when she comes back, but if you're going to see her, do you mind handing them over? It might be incentive for her to relax at home and do the work, rather than push herself to travel and not rest up and heal. She has online work as well, but she knows that."

"Of course," Mirai agreed easily, accepting the workload. Inside though, he was in turmoil. He had no idea she had been hurt and felt useless as a friend. "Thank you for your help."

Later, in his car, Mirai was driving single-mindedly to Musutafu, like he had meant to when he knew that tomorrow he would have gone to give her their shared All Might statue. Only now, he had a much more different mindset and would definitely be talking to her about making him an emergency contact.

He had hated feeling helpless, but he hated even more that he'd been ignorant of her problems.

When he entered Musutafu Health Clinic, he looked around and frowned. It was an adequate care facility, but it was small and obviously meant for minor injuries and issues, or quick fixes. It made him wonder, if she had been in an accident, why she hadn't been brought over to a proper hospital to be treated?

Going to the front desk, he asked about Izuku and was directed by a nurse to the room she was currently staying in. Heading there with quick strides, the more he observed, the more confused and upset he was.

This was a place that obviously did the best with what they had, but it also was clear that they weren't equipped as well as or as up to date like a modern hospital would be. Even other clinics he'd seen in the past were in better shape.

Facing Izuku's door at last, he tried to not look so agitated, even if it was harder to dispel his agitation for real. He knocked succinctly and then entered, going in and steps faltering at the sight of a pale Izuku in her medical bed. She was awake and looked startled to see him.

"Sasaki-san?"

"I apologize for suddenly appearing and having nosing into your business, but I was concerned about your sudden lack of communication, Midoriya-kun," he admitted, trying to speak as coolly as he was used to, but instead rushing and sounding off-kilter.

She gave him a tired but happy smile. "Thank you for worrying. I didn't mean to make you worry though, Sasaki-san."

"How are you?" he asked quietly. "Do you know your injuries?"

"A severe concussion, hence a stay here," she reluctantly admitted. "Some fractured ribs and a broken leg and arm. I got hit by a car. I feel a little achy and tired, but I guess fine otherwise."

His already severe look tightened in consternation. "Are there no one here with healing Quirks? Or why aren't you in an actual hospital and being treated there? Even if you had to stay long, you could recover better in one."

Izuku gave him a tired look and he hated it. Why did she look so tired and resigned? After another moment of observance, she gave a sigh and her lips quirked up wearily.

"This clinic is free and does what it can with the resources it has. Twice a week, a medical professional with a healing Quirk comes in, but they're reserved for the more serious cases. I know I probably have some bad injuries…but there are those here that have it worse."

"But why aren't you in a hospital?" he demanded, feeling stricken and confused.

"I'm Quirkless and this is the only place near that I know that's willing to take me in."

Mirai stopped short, even as more confusion filled him as well as shock at the information.

Izuku gazed at him steadily, even with a blank expression.

"Why…why is that? Why would that even matter?" he recovered, scowling.

"People and places don't take kindly to Quirkless," she murmured, still watching him with that blank gaze. "We're not welcomed."

"That is ridiculous," his jaw clenched, shaking his head. "I don't know what nonsense is that, but I refuse to accept it."

She laughed, but it sounded empty and she looked worn out all of a sudden.

"World doesn't work like that, Sasaki-san."

And Mirai thought about it, even though he hated the idea, and felt his hands ball into fists at his sides. He'd known and heard about Quirkless Discrimination, but he hadn't known how severe it was or had been exposed to it personally like this…

To know a dear friend of his was being treated so unfairly —

He looked at her sharply, seeing her still watching him like the way she had, and felt his body go still. He opened his mouth to say something but then closed it quickly after, not knowing if he wanted to openly ask it.

"Did you…did you think I wouldn't talk to you if I knew you were Quirkless?" he asked finally.

"I thought you'd be disgusted and pretend you never knew me," she said bluntly in response, eyes still trained on him, and he exhaled sharply.

"Absolutely not," he glared at her. "That doesn't matter to me at all."

Her expression broke from its blankness and it became more scared and vulnerable, and she was looking at him hesitantly, like she couldn't believe him.

It made something in him ache, and he strode forward and grasped her uninjured hand. He squeezed it gently.

"I enjoy you for you, and having no Quirk makes no difference to me," he murmured to her. "It has been a great privilege in meeting you and I'm all the more lucky and better for it."

"Really?" she asked quietly.

"Most definitely."

If she wept silently, he just dried her tears and let her hold onto his hand tightly.

He'd excused himself afterwards, hiding how angry he still was over the unfairness of it all (more so now that he'd come to know how much she thought he'd dislike her or leave her once he'd known about her Quirklessness). Then, infuriated, he'd signed her out of that clinic and came back for her.

"Don't think so little of me," he muttered after transporting her into a wheelchair and wheeling her all the way to his car.

She glanced up and watched him tiredly.

"A Quirk is just a Quirk. But you are far more valuable to me."

At the Hero hospital he'd driven her to, he'd wheeled her in and had her wait while he strode over to the front station.

"I'm sorry, Sir, but this is a Hero hospital," the nurse handling the station whispered, given the hospital's secrecy.

He gave her a stern look and immediately reached for his license, flashing it her way. Her eyes widened.

"I'm…undercover," he pressed his lips in a thin line. "She's a civilian, but she needs quiet care. I'll be signing her in. I want her to receive proper treatment."

"Ah yes, of course, S-Sir Nighteye," the nurse stuttered and shot up from her seat. "Let me get the papers ready for her and we'll set her up in a room."

"I'll fill in her papers," Mirai snapped irritably at her. "Hand them over —she'll be under my insurance anyway. Just take her to a room."

"Understood!"

She quickly gathered the papers and then handed them over, to which he shuffled them straight together and then headed over to Izuku, where she was being wheeled away.

"I'll meet you after I fill these in, okay?" he told her quietly and she looked at the papers in his hands curiously. "Nurse Tsumaki will bring you to a room first."

"See you in a bit then, Sasaki-san."

He watched her get wheeled away and then he sat down in one of the chairs in the waiting room, beginning to quickly go through the forms. He knew a lot of her information from what she told him, but some things he left blank for her, like her age and height and weight. All insurance stuff, he made sure he filled in with his information since he was going to take care of it.

Finishing up, he stood and then went back to the nurse from before, handing over the papers.

"When she's able, she can fill out what I missed. The insurance is settled, however, so that can be filed through for her. Which room is she in?"

The nurse fumbled for the papers quickly, still intimidated by him, and had another nurse lead him to Izuku's room as she started working through the papers handed to her. In Izuku's room, he saw her finally properly set up and being seen to, and he finally breathed a sigh of relief.

He ignored the nurse finishing setting her up with an IV and instead walked over to seat himself by Izuku. He reached for her hand.

"I filled out the papers for your stay," he told her, causing her look of surprise towards him. "My insurance will take care of it, so don't worry about anything."

She looked flustered. "You didn't have to do that, Sasaki-san. At least let me pay you back."

"I'm not paying, remember? My insurance is. Besides, we're friends, yes? Then friends help each other," he insisted and she gave him a small smile.

The doctor entered then. "Midoriya-san? I'm Dr. Ishida."

"Yes, I'm here," Izuku mentioned and Mirai turned in his seat to stare down the doctor. The doctor, probably used to the varying attitudes of Heroes, just kept smiling as he came towards them.

"I see from the quick work of my staff that you have an arm and leg breakage, fractured ribs and a concussion? It's pretty obvious without secondary x-rays to check, and my Quirk can recognize and then quickly heal injuries."

Izuku's eyes lit up and she was beginning to spout a mile a minute about the man's Quirk, only for Mirai to squeeze her hand and give her a look. She blushed and grinned sheepishly.

"Sorry, I'm just into Quirks and picking them apart," she laughed, though she winced after.

"Right, let's get on that concussion first," Dr. Ishida said. "That's the most important and worrying of your injuries." He came closer to her and held up his hand, it slowly starting to glow green. "It's called Mystical Palm. It takes a combination of my energy and the patient's stamina to completely heal an injury, hence why we'll focus and cure your concussion first for now. We'll observe you overnight, make sure your other injuries are okay and don't become aggravated in the meantime. Tomorrow morning, we can work on your next worrying injury, which are your ribs. Do you have anyone able to pick you up tomorrow?"

"After work, I'll be here to see to her," Mirai spoke up then.

The doctor glanced at him and nodded. "Yes, then at that time, I can finish healing her up. She will be very tired and maybe a little disoriented, so she'll need someone to look after her for the night."

"I understand," Mirai took note of that, making sure to remember so he'd have things ready. He glanced at Izuku, who was already getting healed.

She gave him a lopsided grin, looking dazed. "Un! Got it, Doc! Sasaki-san will take good care of me!" Izuku turned to him. "Sasaki-san~ You look familiar, you know? You look like…"

Mirai froze, not knowing how to feel about Izuku figuring out his identity.

"Ootori Kyoya from Ouran High School Host Club!"

Mirai admitted to face faulting. What in the world? He had no idea who or what she was talking about, but he was at least glad she hadn't yet figured him out. He had to find the right time and place to confess who he was to her.

"Sleep and I shall see you tomorrow, Midoriya-kun," he said wryly, inwardly shaking his head.

"Kyoya-sempai is super cute," she giggled, slurring. "Just like you're super cute!"

Once again, he found himself frozen, staring at her and feeling his cheeks warm up. He was aware the doctor was still there and finishing up, pointedly looking away from them as he held his glowing hand to Izuku's head.

"But what happened to your glasses?" she pouted. "I haven't seen them in forEVER. Like ever. Not since the convention. I miss your glasses. Megane-characters don't get enough love."

He cleared his throat awkwardly. "I've just been wearing my contacts more, that's all, Midoriya-kun. I need a new pair of glasses."

Mirai couldn't wear his usual ones, since they were obviously the same ones 'Sir Nighteye' wore. He couldn't even say he'd bought replicas, since he'd subtly inferred that he wasn't a fan of Nighteye (if only to try distancing himself and not out his identity). He would have to buy new ones tomorrow, before seeing Izuku again —his eyesight wasn't horrible, but he did actually need glasses to see afar since he was near-sighted. His contacts were more for show; colored to disguise his eye color and make sure he wasn't seen as Sir Nighteye when he went out in disguise, usually for undercover work.

"Okay," she mumbled. "Just remember that you look cute with or without glasses, Megane-san…"

He couldn't feel any more embarrassed at that point.

"Is your Quirk—" he went to ask the doctor if her current state had anything to do with it, but the man just shook his head.

Dr. Ishida nodded towards the IV bag. "The pain meds and sedative, maybe along with my Quirk disorienting her, is making her out of sorts. Though probably honest still. Best accept she thinks you're cute, Megane-san."

Mirai glowered at him, even as he blushed and was full of embarrassment. Izuku waved him over then and he came close to her. She grabbed his tie and yanked him further down, taking him aback.

He went into shock though, when her lips landed on his cheek.

"I'm very grateful to you though, so thank you for everything," she murmured, eyes half-lidded.

Mirai stared down at her, watching her blink sleepily several times before actually falling asleep. Then he slowly straightened up and kept staring down at her, heart thumping a mile a minute.

He didn't notice or acknowledge the door quietly closing behind the doctor, leaving the two alone in the quiet hospital room.

Started 12/22/22 – Completed 12/30/22 (2:36 am)

Chapter Text

Mirai carefully ate the katsudon he'd had delivered to him for lunch, typing up a thought with one hand, eyes periodically glancing at the TV screen he had playing the anime that he'd just been introduced to. Whatever Izuku had said to him, he'd taken to heart —he also admitted to some resemblance to the character she'd mentioned.

Ootori Kyoya held the same meticulous air and the physical aspects was ridiculously spot-on. His dark hair in disguise and the not-so neat (but neat enough) brushed hair (though he'd let his own hair be a tinge more messy), as well as the worn glasses, made Mirai too similar to the fictional character.

"Sir, I've got a call from the Best Jeanist Agency —" Mirio stepped into his office and paused, glancing at Mirai and then at the TV. "Sir, are you watching an anime?"

"Whaat?!" Awata suddenly appeared. "Sir isn't working, especially at work?"

Embarrassed but not wanting to show it, Mirai's glare became even more pronounced. He moved his glasses up. "For your information, I was told I resemble that character," he pointed out. "I just wanted to see what they meant."

Both of them tilted their heads.

"Hm, yeah I can see it," Awata said thoughtfully. If they'd seen him in his disguise, they would be a lot more agreeable. But he'd taken care not to expose them to it. "I think I know this anime. It's really old though," she continued. "Huh. Looks-wise, I can agree, I guess. But personality? His true Shadow King personality, sort of a little. But you definitely can't pull off his cool, charming host side."

For some reason, that offended Mirai. He could pull off charming if he wanted to. Izuku certainly thought he was charming…

Then again, she thought he was cute and his mind couldn't compute that.

Work was over soon enough and he rushed to the hospital he'd set Izuku up in, belatedly realizing he'd left behind the bag he'd packed up for the night. He ended up seeing Dr. Ishida first, after nearing her room.

"I just healed her arm, but it'll be sore. It's set up with a sling now and she's a bit disoriented, but she's okay to leave if you want to check her out," he informed him.

Mirai nodded and turned around as he went to do so first, and then followed Dr. Ishida into Izuku's room after he finished up. She gave him a lopsided smile when she saw him.

"H-hey, Sasaki-san. How was work?" she asked shakily while the doctor finished checking her over, and Mirai gave her a small smile, coming to her side and offering an arm when Dr. Ishida gave the okay. She was already dressed and ready to go.

"It was alright. Just the usual," he told her quietly, beginning to walk her out.

"Sounds e-exciting," she still beamed at him.

He tightened his hold on her and tucked her into his side more. Once in his car, he helped buckle her in and then was driving to her warehouse before anything more was said.

"I was advised it was best to keep watch over you until tomorrow morning. Are you…Are you okay with me sleeping over?" he tried to keep the nervousness out of his voice.

"Of course," she said sleepily. "There's no one I'd trust more with me."

He could feel his whole body become warm, a strange feeling coming over him and a fluttery sensation in his gut. If he was blushing too, he wasn't surprised.

In her loft, he settled her on one of the couches. Then he went to her kitchen and rummaged around to make tea and a light dinner for them. All the while, she watched him tiredly.

"Do you want a shower?" she asked quietly and Mirai froze in the middle of pouring tea.

"I-I forgot to bring some overnight clothes," he stammered.

"S'okay. You can borrow some of mine."

"Midoriya-kun, don't forget I'm a man," he emphasized, not really focused on the size difference but that there should be a wariness of a male staying over the night with her alone (that she was clearly not getting).

"I like Hero stuff, so I'll even buy clothing that are men's and won't fit me," she laughed and stood up. "Let's have dinner quickly and then I'll take you up."

Dinner ended up being a hazy memory because Mirai was too stuck on the fact that he was about to be naked and take a shower in Izuku's home…and then wear her clothing.

"So I have a couple boxers here that I haven't worn. My waist is too thin. Want the All Might 1st gen one? Guys wear boxers to sleep, right?"

"Y-yes," he answered, taking it and trying not to make too much fuss or act too nervous.

"I have some large shirts I'm pretty sure will fit you. I prefer large —comfier, you know? I may be small, but my chest makes wearing smaller shirts too tight sometimes."

He glanced once at her chest at that, before he dragged them away in mortification. He was horrified. What was wrong with him?

"Bathroom was back there," she said as she grabbed his hand. She led him out of her bedroom and brought him to the main part of the loft, towards the glazed out room he'd noticed before. "You can wash up here."

She left him to it and he hesitantly walked into the bathroom. He'd have to try to keep mostly clear of his hair so he didn't wash off the temporary dye. His contacts he'd take off for now, though he'd have to sleep with them after his shower…Stripping, he went into the modern shower and was startled by the multiple shower heads turning on and the light classical music playing in the background. He blinked.

Where did this girl get all this money from and why can't it help her out of situations like the one she was in?

Sighing to himself, he let the water run over him and though he was going to forgo the shampoo, he was still going to use her body wash. Her body wash. Was he…Was he going to smell like Izuku?

The twinge in his gut and twitch down there made him hunker down and place his face against his hands. Highly embarrassed and mortification rapidly retuning, Mirai took a few moments to reset himself. Then he quickly showered and toweled down, dressing speedily. He put his contacts back in and did a quick brush of his teeth with an extra toothbrush that was loaned to him. Then he went out and ran into Izuku, who'd been waiting for him.

She smiled lightly at him. "I thought I'd take you back to the bedroom? The way there was a bit long and you seemed lost in thought."

"I-I can sleep down there on one of the couches," he stammered. A couple of them could even fit his long frame fine.

She looked at him quizzically. "Of course not! I don't have any sleeper beds and I don't want you to be uncomfortable. You're a friend and guest, and my bed is more than big enough to fit both of us."

But it was inappropriate! And did she not even understand their age gap and that she was a young woman and he was a man? And…And…and he was attracted to her! He realized and finally admitted it to himself.

Mirai liked Izuku. She was cute, funny, sweet…She wasn't just pretty to him, she was beautiful.

How could he lay next to her and act like he wasn't affected? But then Izuku gripped his hand and was leading him away, and there was no way he could say anything more. When he was led back to the hallway that split off from the back of the 2nd floor, Izuku led him into it and opened the door at the end.

He stared. He hadn't noticed the first time…but geez. Her room was like another floor itself. Again open-plan, her bed was in the middle. The right side had a few racks of clothing and a couple dressers, while the left had an impressive line of display cases against the wall, with an arrangement of amazing Hero statues (he had a feeling they were her work).

She was right though. Her bed was huge, more than enough for his size even. It didn't change that they would be sleeping together in one bed.

She slipped under the covers once she'd let go of his hand. He hesitated before he climbed onto the bed and crawled to the spot next to her.

"You can get under the covers too, Mirai," she sleepily told him. "It can get cold when I don't put on the heater and I usually don't in the summer."

He hesitated again, but hearing his name from her lips made him happy and he didn't want to ruin it. So scooting up more, he grabbed the top edge of the duvet and the sheet and then slid underneath, already feeling her warmth. He sucked in a deep breath and held it when he felt her scoot a little closer.

"G'night," she murmured.

"…Goodnight."

The morning dawned nice and early and Mirai couldn't believe he'd manged to fall asleep, especially as well as he did. However, the fact that he'd woken up wrapped around her brought his anxiety back. And why did he have to have morning wood at a time like this?!

"Morning~" Izuku yawned, stretching in his arms.

He awkwardly cleared his throat and removed himself from her, sitting up slowly.

"Good morning," he replied to her uneasily.

She flopped onto her back and smiled up at him. "I haven't gone shopping for awhile. I'm pretty sure there's cereal though?"

"Cereal it is, then," he agreed and he got up first.

She followed after and they went out of the bedroom to the rest of the second floor.

"There's a dumbwaiter elevator there, when I need to transfer things from any of the floors to the others. Usually food," she laughed.

Mirai saw the dumbwaiter. "I could get us the cereal and you can stay here," he offered. Breakfast in bed…

"Next time," which implied they'd do this again. "I'd like to have breakfast with you in my kitchen."

Oh, this felt domestic.

"Favorite cereal?" she asked suddenly.

"Fruit Loops," he admitted.

"Ooh, someone's got a sweet tooth," Izuku teased and he lightly rolled his eyes.

"I also like my coffee with lots of sugar and creamer," he shrugged. "Just not first thing in the mornings."

"Then plain?"

"As black as most Villains' souls," he grumbled.

That made her laugh, which led to him smiling.

"I like Frosted Flakes," she revealed. "And tea rather than coffee."

They traded smiles again and he liked how they kept sharing new things about each other everyday. Still, it was funny and ironic how they both liked American cereal. At least he could blame Toshinori for that though.

He set up the tea and coffee while she set up their cereal. At the kitchen table, they sat next to each other, him to the left side and her at the head.

"Do you have work today?" Izuku asked.

"Yeah, uh yes, I mean," he corrected, feeling too casual and relaxed with her. "What…what about you? Do you have class?"

"Not today. I'll just stay here and do work," she said thoughtfully. "Maybe catch up on classwork I'd missed."

Which reminded him. "I have papers from your teacher I was supposed to give you. He gave them to me when I asked him if he knew where you were."

"Oh, is that how you found out I was in the clinic? Makes sense, since Togawa-sensei is one of the three of my emergency contacts. The other two are my mother and father, but my father is overseas and my mother travels a lot because of her job."

"Which brought in the next part I wanted to ask you. E-even though we basically just met…you could make me one of your emergency contacts." He tried to sound logical about it, which he could do most of the time. He just wasn't sure he could with her.

"Oh, yeah, I-I'd like that, if you don't mind," she blushed prettily. "Since my parents aren't usually around and I'm closer to you than Togawa-sensei."

"I don't mind at all," he continued hurriedly. "I'm arguably close by and I'm usually reachable. And it would ease my mind, especially if a situation like this happens again."

He'd hated feeling lost and worried, not knowing what happened to her. At least this way, he could be more informed and not be left in the dark.

"Thank you for helping me out so much and being there for me."

The stain on her cheeks was dark and her lips curved in a shy, sweet smile towards him. His heart pounded in his chest and it was like he was falling in love all over again.

Oh. He was in love.

Started 1/4/23 – Completed 1/6/23

Chapter Text

"So you're heading out now?" Izuku asked, watching her older friend standing awkwardly by his car while still in her boxers and shirt, and inwardly giggling at how cute he looked.

He coughed lightly. "Yes, I will change at the office, since I have a spare change of clothes there. Thank you for lending me clothes, though I'm regretful that I had rushed out without the overnight bag I'd packed for last night in the first place."

She waved him off. "It's no problem. Thanks for taking care of me, Sasaki-san. I appreciate it and I'll make sure to set you up as my emergency contact, if you still don't mind. Being the closest person to me that's available and close by, it would make sense for you to be at the top anyhow."

"I'm more than okay with that," he replied softly, cupping the back of his neck. "I'm happy for you to trust in and rely on me so much. I promise I'll make sure to take that responsibility seriously."

The corner of her lips quirked up. "Don't be so serious, Sasaki-san. Besides, I know you will. Now…get going before you're late and you get in trouble."

For some reason, he chuckled and shook his head at that. "Don't worry, I won't," was the last he said before he climbed into his car and took off.

She smiled slightly to herself before she headed back into her warehouse, making her way up to her loft.

It had been nice having Mirai over —it hadn't been as awkward or tense as she thought it might be to have him stay over for the night and wake up with him in the morning. Izuku had actually really liked it and wouldn't have minded it happening in the future. And why not? She liked and trusted Mirai. They hadn't known each other that long really, but the way they've been together, it was like they'd been friends for a really long time and were so comfortable with each other that everything was just so natural and easy.

And, well, it had been nice waking up to being held like that.

Becoming a blushing mess, Izuku redirected her mind towards her workload and went for her laptop so she could do some of her online assignments.

When Mirai made it to his Agency, he parked quickly in his spot and then hurriedly made his way to the office floor, where he made a bee-line to his office and to the connecting room. He rummaged around his wardrobe for a new suit, ignoring how small and simple it was compared to the number of clothing racks and dressers Izuku had in her much larger bedroom.

Once Mirai had changed into a new suit, he went to the break room and started the coffee. He hesitated before looking through the kitchen to see what tea he had. Seeing just green tea, he brewed himself a cup and left the coffee for the others. He'd already started in on his day when Juzou came in and a little after was Awata. He didn't expect Mirio to come in until later, so he was surprised by the 2nd year coming in early.

"You're early today, Togata-kun. Something wrong?"

The blond gave him a sheepish smile. "Not wrong, just some help? You're really smart, Sir, so I thought you could help me with my math work."

Mirai paused but nodded in acquiesce. "I might be a bit rusty, but that's doable. May I see it?"

When Mirio handed him his homework, Mirai frowned in concentration while hiding his wince. He had tutored Mirio when he'd first taken him under his wing and had managed to bring him up to standards and gotten his grades up. And Mirai was actually rather proficient in math. It's just…

"This is pre-calculus," he furrowed his eyebrows. "Why're you doing this level of math already?"

As much work he'd put into Mirio's studies, he knew the other was nowhere ready to tackle this.

"Ah, Ectoplasm-sensei was handing bonus work for 2nd years. I thought I'd give it a try."

"Then very well. Come here, Togata-kun." Mirai looked over the problems with a careful eye. "I'm surprised you're wanting to do this work. Pre-cal is usually end of the year work for your year, if students wanted to keep going with math, which is usually only required for two years of high school. More advanced students can take Physics or Calculus third year, which is what Pre-Cal is required for."

Mirio hummed. "I know I'm not the smartest or anything. But I want to try my best and be able to show all the work Sir put into me."

Mirai felt warm and proud of his student. "Alright then. Let's get started."

Even still, they struggled through the problems together, skipping more than a few. Mirai was disappointed he couldn't help with more, especially after Mirio's heartfelt words. But…

"I have a friend who might be able to help," Mirai hedged. "Let me call her and ask."

He took out his phone, ignoring Mirio's curious gaze. "Midoriya-kun?" he greeted after hearing her answer cheerfully. "I was wondering if you could help with a few Pre-Cal problems for a student I'm helping?"

"Of course! Send me pics and I can solve them and then talk you through each one," she agreed easily.

"Thank you so much, Midoriya-kun," he said in relief. "I appreciate this."

He pulled up his camera and snapped a few pics before he sent them. Not too long after, she sent all of them back solved already.

"You can put me on speaker, if you want," she offered and he did so, putting his phone near Mirio.

He listened as she walked Mirio through each problem, with Mirai checking his work with the pictures she'd sent back.

"Thank you very much, Midoriya-sensei!" Mirio bowed towards Mirai's phone respectfully.

"Ah, it's okay, Mirio-kun. Let me know if you guys need more help! And no need to call me 'sensei', Mirio-kun!" She hung up and Mirai collected his phone.

While he was glad Mirio was able to finish, he admitted to being slightly jealous. Izuku had already started calling Mirio familiarly, while he was still 'Sasaki-san'. He wanted her to call him 'Mirai'...

"Sir, was that the friend you made at the convention? The same one who got you to watch anime at work?"

"Yes, the same one," Mirai admitted, though he was exasperated at Mirio's description.

"Wow, she's super smart, Sir!" Mirio said in admiration.

Mirai shared it. "She is," he agreed. "She does actually attend Tokyo University. She majors in Quirk Analytics, so if you ever want her to break down your Quirk…I was thinking of one day bringing her over," sometime after he'd finally let her know who he was.

"Sounds awesome! I can't wait to meet her."

Mirai nodded, thinking about her. He would have to start planning a way to reveal who he was to Izuku, especially since he really was eager to show off his work to her and to also finally let her know he wasn't a typical salaryman like she had immediately assumed (their first meeting came to mind and made him sweatdrop).

Idly, in the best case scenario, he let himself imagine her finding out he was Sir Nighteye and then her being embarrassed about everything she'd shown him and gushing over 'him' in front of him before —and then amusingly starting to fangirl right then and there…

It made him smile a little and think brightly of the future, not even noticing his student watching him in fond amusement.

The day was coming to a close and Mirai was pleased. Lots of things had been accomplished and he was looking forward to telling Izuku a watered down version of his day. Then his phone rang.

Expecting Izuku's number, even if it was early, he stopped short of answering when he saw and recognized the familiar number that he hadn't seen in a long time.

"Toshinori?"

"Ah, Mirai…long time no see."

Mirai clenched his armrest tightly, while the grip on his phone threatened to break it.

"Yes. Long time…no see," he had no idea what to say to him. A lot of things had been said or done between them and too much time passed. Of course he still cared about Toshinori and he'll always remain a fan of All Might. But things weren't the same and he doubted things could ever go back to the way things were.

"How have you been doing?" Toshinori's voice was light but careful.

"I'm…okay," Mirai answered awkwardly. "I've met someone actually," he found himself suddenly saying. "She's sweet and kind. I think you'd like her a lot."

'She's a huge fan of yours like me too,' he wanted to add. 'And she's beautiful and smart and I like her a lot. I want to see her everyday.'

But he and Toshinori weren't close enough anymore, not enough to share personal details to each other like they used to.

"That-that's good! I hope she's…that you're not…Look, Mirai, I hope she's not someone you're hoping that I pass One For All to —"

"No, I wasn't," he snapped back, irritated that that was what Toshinori had immediately assumed. "And even if I was, she's perfect in every way and would probably be perfect for it! She's really amazing and I adore her and I think I love —" he cut himself off, embarrassed at himself.

He cleared his throat. "I'm sorry for my outburst," Mirai said stiffly. "I hadn't meant to get so passionate."

"…No, that's alright. That was one of your best traits and I apologize for assuming."

Even if Toshinori's voice was contrite, Mirai was still heated and upset. "Anyway, was there anything you needed?"

"Principal Nedzu called. He offered me a teaching position."

"That's…nice?"

Relief that his old friend might finally take things easy and confusion as to why he'd called him to tell him that (or really, the first time they talk in years —minus the time Mirai called about Mirio —and this is what Toshinori called to talk about?).

"Did you put him up to it?"

He stiffened up, jaw clenching. "No, I did not." Mirai didn't want to talk anymore. "Excuse me, I didn't realize I had a prior engagement. I have to go."

He hung up then, taking a struggling breath as he closed his eyes. Of course things were like this between them.

Extremely upset, Mirai finished up at his Agency before he decided a drink was in order.

When Mirai woke up, his head was pounding and he was sprawled on his back on his bed. For a few seconds, he just wanted to lay there and die. He felt like he was dying. Mirai couldn't remember the last time he'd drank like that and dear God was he paying for it now.

An all too familiar head poked her head into his room, grinning at him.

"Good morning, Sasaki-san. Breakfast is ready."

"Thank you," he said dazedly, staring at Izuku before she left him. For a few seconds, he sat there processing her presence. Then his eyes widened and he rushed out of his room and then his office, still not seeing her. Remembering her talk of breakfast, he hesitantly went to the break room.

There, wearing only his button up, Izuku was quietly humming as she finished fixing up the table.

It was so domestic and she looked so good in his clothes. His clothes.

Muttering a quiet "Fuck", Mirai walked into the room more. "You don't…you don't have to do that," he said, feeling out of place.

After she placed the last plate down, she looked to him and smirked. "Don't tell me you're afraid of my cooking, Sasaki-san."

He glanced at the omelettes. "They look as good as they smell," he said honestly.

He sat down and she placed a cup of coffee next to him. "Thank you. And thank you for breakfast," he expressed his appreciation as she sat down next to him, well aware the both of them were more or less half naked. Speaking of their undressed state and her presence there…

"I was a bit surprised the bartender called me to pick you up," she said, revealing the start. "I hope you don't mind, but I used your car to drive you over here and it was really late so I also hope you don't mind me staying and borrowing your clothes to sleep in."

"Not…not at all," he said, trying to steady himself. "Thank you for taking care of me."

Izuku laughed. "All these thanks! I feel very appreciated."

He couldn't keep his eyes off of her. The idea of her in his clothes had haunted him since the night he'd stayed over and wore hers. Now, seeing her actually wearing his clothes, was branded into his mind. It made his attraction to her all the more obvious and he couldn't help being turned on by seeing her in his clothes.

"Eat up! It'll help your hangover, though if I knew where your aspirin was, I would've gotten you some."

He gave her a small smile. "It's fine. I have some in my office. Do you have somewhere to go today?"

"I have classes actually," she told him.

"I can drop you off," he quickly offered. "It's the least I can do."

Despite being completely embarrassed by everything and yet very turned on by the sight of her, he was still extremely grateful to her and also wanted to spend as much time as he could with her.

Izuku gave him a beaming expression. "I'd like that, thanks, Mirai-san."

He nodded before he froze, realizing what she'd just called him.

"'M-Mirai-san?'"

She gave him a playful grin. "Well, considering you were calling me Izuku all of last night and it's apparently what you saved my number under in your phone…" she teased, though she did wear a questioning look on her face.

Blushing slightly and rubbing the back of his neck, he could only just give her a sheepish look back.

"Mirai is fine, I-Izuku-kun."

Sometime after he'd driven her first to her student housing so she could take a quick shower and change, Mirai leisurely drove back to his Agency and headed to his room. Deciding on a quick shower himself, he went to his personal bathroom and got himself ready to clean up. Just as he was about to get into his shower, he glanced at himself in the mirror and went still.

Hair the same, contacts missing, and wearing his regular glasses…

Mirai had messed up and hadn't been wearing his disguise this whole time. From the moment she'd picked him up at the bar to the time he'd dropped her off at her school, he'd been just his normal self and a look she would clearly recognize as 'Sir Nighteye'.

There was no way she didn't know who he was now and he just wondered why she hadn't said a thing about it to him all morning.

Started 1/16/23 - Completed 1/31/23

Chapter Text

Izuku's phone went off and she paused her work, the finishing touches of Mirai's statue almost done. Speaking of...

"Hey, Sasaki-san!" she greeted eagerly, seeing his number on her phone.

"Ah, sorry, I was calling for him? Is this Izuku?" an unfamiliar female voice spoke to her and she felt uneasy and tense, a tinge of jealousy strangely sneaking in though.

"Yes, this is her. Is something the matter?"

"Oh, well, you were #1 in his I.C.E. list, so I called you. Your boyfriend is pretty drunk and needs help getting home."

Her face turned red and she almost blurted out that she wasn't his girlfriend, but ended up with, "Where is he?"

After being told the address, she headed over on feet to the train station, still thinking on how her number was that important to him.

Entering the bar of all places (but he was an adult and office workers tend to go drinking, especially with co-workers, right? Maybe he had a rough day?), Izuku looked around, trying to spot him.

"Hey, you're too young to be in here," someone, probably security, stopped her. "You've got 2 more years before I can let you in."

Her tense body at having been stopped became split between amused at his assumption that she was 18 and resignation over having to reveal her Quirkless status and over how she'd always looked more mature than her actual age. She searched her wallet and showed her ID —it didn't show her actual age, just her Quirkless status, which was enough to show she was 'legally' an adult.

He peered closer at it before clearing his throat awkwardly. "I see. Alright, come in."

"I was looking for someone? The bartender called me, asked I pick a friend up."

He looked startled. "Oh, you're here for him? Well, Tsuki-san's got him sitting at a table. He's pretty drunk and big for you. You really got him?"

She flashed him a smile. "It's fine."

He nodded and led the way and then Izuku found herself standing in front of a familiar man…just not one she thought she was well acquainted with. Before she could question the security guard, he'd already left her alone with…

"Sir Nighteye?" she asked, wide-eyed.

The man with his head on the table stirred, bleary eyes blinking into awareness as he straightened up. He looked to her and his tall, lean body tilted forward as he narrowed his eyes.

"Izuku?" he muttered and the fact Sir Nighteye knew her name and the fact he was acting so familiar made her want to go into shock.

And also realize that the two of them were indeed acquainted and that the 'Sasaki-san' she knew and the man she considered nowadays her best friend was actually the man in front of her.

If she pictured Sir Nighteye with darker hair and his eyebrows dark, and if his eyes were colored just the slightest off from its current bright yellow shade without glasses to hide behind…

Mirai and Sir Nighteye were practically identical, so unless they were twins, she had been conversing and hanging out with Sir Nighteye all along.

Izuku had no idea how to feel about that.

Despite being obviously drunk, Nighteye —Mirai stood up gracefully and smiled.

"Y-you're here," he mumbled. "I-I'm g-glad."

He walked slowly over to her and surprised her when he leaned down and hugged her. "I'm always happy with you. I haven't been happy in a long time, but you make me happy, Izuku."

Pretty damn sure her face was bright red, she swallowed hard and shakily embraced him back, patting his back gently.

"Let's…get you out of here, Sasaki-san."

Should she still call him that? But obviously, he'd gone to great pains to hide who he was to her, taking time and effort to darken his hair and probably wear contacts (Oh! He had told her he'd worn contacts, so they probably had been colored to change his eyes…), and though he still wore suits around her, they weren't his normal Nighteye suits.

Despite being completely taller than her by far, Izuku did her best to support him. She led him out of the bar (Nighteye at a bar? What in the world happened?) and went towards his car, relieved that it had been close by. Wondering about his keys, she was about to ask him about it when he lifted himself off of her for a bit and rummaged around in his pocket, pulling out said keys. He drunkenly turned off the alarm and unlocked the car doors, before glancing at his keys then at her. He tossed the keys at her, which she fumblingly caught.

"I can't drive," he sighed. "I'm too drunk."

Oh. Well, at least she knew how to drive?

Maneuvering him to the passenger side and helping him in, she then went to the driver's side and slid in, turning on the car. She glanced to her side at the sleepy Pro-Hero and then asked him where she was taking him.

"You can drive me to my Agency," he muttered. "My room's connected to the office. It's not nice or roomy like your place. I'd like to live in a place like yours. I live at work. I have no work/life balance," he ended up pouting, which was actually a cute look on him.

"You can stay at my place any time," she offered gently, though she knew he was drunk and probably wouldn't remember. "I liked having you over."

She really, really did and she didn't know what to do with that now that she knew who Mirai really was.

"I'd like that," he hmmed. "I told you I was really happy with you, didn't I?"

"…You did."

He nodded to himself. "Good because it is very true. I'm happiest around you, Izuku."

Her blush probably had stained her cheeks permanently at that point.

Izuku took a deep breath and concentrated, allowing only for her to focus on the directions he'd given her to the location of the Nighteye Agency, where she only looked at it in awe for a few moments before she had to focus on getting to the parking garage and finding his personal parking space. From there, she was back to supporting him and leading him into his building.

"Mm, the main office space is on the second floor," he told her. "My office is there. Inside, there's a door connecting to the room I use to sleep in."

"Okay," she said and looked at the time. "Sasaki-san, it's…really late. Would you mind me staying over? I'm not comfortable or feel safe going back out to head home, especially on foot."

"No, no, it's not safe at all," he brought her closer to him, frowning in thought. "Of course you can sleep over. My bed's not as big as yours, but you can fit. You're so tiny," Mirai muttered, almost an after thought.

She was back to blushing again.

"Do you have a change of clothes I can wear?" she changed the subject. "These aren't fit to sleep in and definitely not comfortable."

He grimaced, looking himself over. "You're definitely smaller than me. None of my boxers or any pants of mine would fit you…But maybe you can just wear one of my tops? They'll be big enough you could probably just wear one to sleep in."

Hence why, once they were in his small room, she'd hurriedly plucked one of his dress shirts and dressed in it while he waited in his office. When she finished, he'd swayed back into his room and then plopped face down onto his bed. Seeing he'd undressed down to his boxer-briefs in his office, he was knocked out as soon as he landed on his bed.

She giggled slightly, ignoring his half-naked body (it hadn't bothered her before, so it shouldn't now!) and went to see if he owned some boxers that might fit anyway. Although, rummaging around his small wardrobe, she saw that he just owned boxer-briefs. She sweatdropped; why did he mentioned having some? He must be really out of it to forget he didn't even own any.

(Those things were super form-fitting on him though and she'd had to look away blushingly too many times, even if she couldn't help a few glances —he had a cute butt and he was obviously, as they say, packing!)

Oh well though. Even if her legs felt bare and she just wore his dress shirt (his) over her undergarments, it should be fine. Even if they'd both worn more clothing last time.

Gingerly sitting on the bed next to him, she bit her lip as she lay down. Curious though, she turned on her side and looked at him. Looking peaceful and handsome in his sleep, Sir Nighteye's usual stern look was smoothed over in rest.

As he moved onto his side and curled towards her, she looked him over shyly and couldn't help notice that he was actually really muscled. Wearing his suit and all, no one could really notice he was; leanly muscled overall, but the front of his body was definitely chiseled and brought another onslaught of warm cheeks to Izuku's face.

He squirmed closer and somehow wound up around her, and Izuku lay there in a daze, trying to figure out how her night turned out like this.

(In the morning, thoroughly embarrassed and unable to sleep anymore, she'd rush out of bed and through his office blindly, somehow whirling through the main floor and finding the break room.

She made breakfast to reorient herself and have something ready for Mirai to start his day off.)

For the past hour, he'd stared at his phone. Part of him felt relieved the secret was out and the other part was a nervous wreck trying to figure out what Izuku thought of and felt about the truth of who Mirai was.

Whatever was going to be done or said next, he did know and realize that he would have to properly explain himself and confess the truth to her, despite her already knowing the truth. It wouldn't be right to leave things as is and not take responsibility for his own part in this situation.

Taking a deep breath, he sent her a text and waited nervously, wondering if he should call her as well. Would it be better, more proper if he did?

But he was too cowardly to do it.

He adored Izuku and was afraid to lose her over this. After Toshinori, he hadn't let himself get close enough to anyone that it would hurt to have them leave him or for him to leave them behind. And now he'd finally let himself get close to someone again, even not expecting or meaning to, and Mirai was afraid she'd be too upset with him to want anything to do with him.

This was also the first time he'd ever been in love, he was sure.

Attracted to, loved others maybe…But in love? Infatuated, crushes when he was younger and more commonly admiration. But being in love was something he had never really felt or even given time to.

His phone rang then and he stared at it again, this time almost frightfully. Embarrassed at his reaction, he answered it as fast as he could.

"Mirai-san? You were texting about dinner? Do I go to your place or are you coming to mine?"

Considering 'his' place was at his Agency and he still had to have a proper talk with her about all this…

"Do you mind yours? I'll bring over takeout."

"Great, I'll see you when you get off from work! My next class is about to start, so talk to you later."

She hung up and Mirai's nerves felt shot just from that small conversation alone. And to think about their upcoming talk later —

He had to think about and rehearse his confession now.

Both confessions actually; that of him being Sir Nighteye and the fact he was attracted and practically in love with her.

"Ooh, is that ramen?" Izuku exclaimed upon receiving him at her door.

Smiling slightly, he lifted the bag of takeout ramen he'd gotten on the way to her. "Both pork, no bamboo shoots for me and no tofu or beansprouts for you."

"Good job, Mirai-san," she teased. "Now come in, come in! Let's get settled up there. Have an overnight bag in case you stay over?"

The idea of staying the night again made him shiver and he nodded to answer her.

"I have clothes you can borrow anyway," she said. "Just in case."

But at least he was prepared this time, though he wasn't sure if he would be having the chance to use his overnight bag.

"So…Ouran High Host Club, since I apparently claimed you looked like Kyoya while under the influence, or we could binge some really old classic Hero movies?" Izuku offered.

"I binged Ouran during work the next day," he confessed, making her laugh uproariously.

"Did you?" she asked in amusement.

"I was curious," he said in dignified response.

They made their way to her room, where to the very back of the bedroom was an entertainment setup with the traditional Japanese table set arranged in front of it. Mirai set up the food on the table while she was setting up the movie on her TV.

"Downstairs, I only have the projector in the back room, that I usually connect my laptop to; but my laptop has a lot going on right now," she explained. "It takes a trip up but my TV's better anyway. Sound too."

He nodded and finished up and was soon joined by her. She still hadn't said anything to him about you-know-what, and he felt anxious about it.

What was going through her head? Why hadn't she brought up him being Sir Nighteye yet?

Unable to let it be, Mirai looked towards her. "Izuku-kun? There's something I want to tell you," he murmured as he turned to her. "I wanted to tell you this before and I'm pretty sure you already know by now, but…I don't work as a salaryman. I'm Sir Nighteye," he finally confessed.

She blinked at him, but smiled tentatively at him. "Yeah, I know. I don't know why, but I won't ask why you've been in disguise. I'm sure you had your reasons. I just don't understand why someone like you and your standing would want to be around me."

"Because you're wonderful," he blurted out. "I went to that convention on business. Then I was done and I thought I could enjoy the convention a little, just in disguise so I wouldn't be recognized and bothered. But I ran into you and you were like a breath of fresh air. I couldn't just let you know who I really was when we'd just met and letting just anyone know who I was is dangerous anyway, for you and me. But then we were getting along so quickly and I enjoyed being around you so much and liked the way I was, not being 'Sir Nighteye' and how you were around me as just 'Mirai'. I eventually planned on telling you soon…you just found out before I could."

He leaned in closer to her. "And I really wanted you to know I…because I had wanted to also confess how much I've come to adore you and-and that I've realized that I'm not only attracted to you but in love with you, Izuku-kun."

Before he could change his mind or become too anxious, he leaned in with the obvious intention to kiss her.

For a moment, as his lips connected with hers and he hesitantly waited for her to push him away in case she didn't feel the same way or didn't want to be kissed, he felt exceedingly happy and like everything was alright in his world.

Then his world tilted on its axis and abruptly shook him off to fall.

Izuku gently touched his chest and pushed him away, smiling kind of sweet and sad all at once.

"Mirai-san, I'm a Quirkless 14 year old adult."

His entire body froze in shock as he stared at her, everything growing numb and static until he didn't register himself standing up abruptly and rushing away.

Started 1/24/23 – Completed 2/8/23

Chapter Text

Was he a miserable mess? Yes, yes he was.

Mirai didn't know what to do with himself. After the revelation of Izuku's actual age, he'd run away in a panic and horrified realization.

But he missed the hell out of her.

He hadn't seen or talked to her since and it's only been a week. The fact that it's only been a week was compounded by the fact that it was her turn with their shared All Might statue, and he would've been by her place by now.

As it was, he was currently hiding in his Agency and throwing himself into his work more than ever. And if he wasn't buried in his work, he was lifelessly laying on either his couch in his office or on his bed, trying not to think about her —and if he did end up thinking of her, which was inevitable, then he was running through all his memories of her; trying to think of all the little hints that revealed anything about her Quirklessness and her age that he could and had somehow missed, and then ending up thinking of their time together overall as he reminisced and just ended up missing her.

If only she were a little older, then they could…

Could what? Date? Go out in public as a couple? Be okay to just hang out?

Even if he ignored how he felt, just her friendship would make him happy. Their friendship had filled him with a liveliness and happiness he hadn't felt in so long, not since his days with Toshinori as his Sidekick…

And it was different because he did have feelings for her, which had heightened the relationship and his feelings (romantic and otherwise) for her.

"Sir?" Juzou poked his head into the room, looking for him. Seeing his friend and boss laying practically lifeless on his office's couch, well —it was a strange sight normally but even stranger was that in recent days it had become a common sight.

Mirai sighed and turned his head to face him, still (admittedly) brooding about his situation and not in the mood to talk to anyone. "Yes, Centipeder?"

Juzou gave him a considering look before he entered the room and closed the door. He walked over to Mirai and sat on the coffee table next to him.

"Mirai, we're all worried. You've been acting like this all week, and you've been working more than ever. Even if you won't talk about it, I thought I'd at least try to get you to see how you've been behaving and try to get you to acknowledge it."

"I know I've been brooding all week and trying to busy myself with work," he muttered, not looking at his subordinate.

"Then if you already know, if you don't want to talk about it, how can we help at least?" Juzou's voice was heavy with worry and Mirai felt guilty.

But help?

Find a way to age up Izuku. De-age Mirai maybe. Maybe time travel. Have his younger self travel to now —no, then younger him would get to be with her and he would be watching enviously…She could travel to the past and meet him, but that would be the same situation, only with him being oblivious and not witnessing it.

No time travel then. And she still had plenty of her life to go, so aging her up would be unfair. Then de-aging him would have to do —

"Mirai, you're muttering something under your breath and I'm not sure I understand all that?"

He hesitated but sat up finally and burrowed his face in his hands for a moment. Then he looked at Juzou miserably and explained his situation, revealing his friendship to Izuku and then the recent revelation to her Quirklessness and her young age.

Juzou hmmed. "I see. That is certainly a…situation. However, maybe it's not as big a deal as you're making it?"

Mirai blinked, turning to stare at his friend in shock.

Juzou shrugged. "I know you, Mirai. You're a good man and you have good restraint. You clearly sincerely care for her and don't want to hurt her, and she means a great deal to you. Even if you have feelings for her, it seems like she means too much to you for you to forget about her and destroy a well-meaning and important friendship."

Here though, his friend was hesitating now. "And well, you wouldn't hurt her, even if feelings were involved and something between you two happened. I've heard things about Quirkless people and how they're treated, especially females. Not a lot of good. You…you might be one of the best things in her life. I know you got scared off…but do you really want to run from an important relationship you'd eagerly developed and had made you so happy? Would you want to…abandon her?"

Mirai wrung his hands. "No, no I don't. And I did tell her how important she was to me when I found out she was Quirkless —I'd implied I'd never leave her behind for such useless reasons. I don't want to not have her in my life, even if we were just friends. I just don't know if I can let go of the age gap and my feelings…"

"It's up to you what you decide, Mirai," Juzou gave him a small smile and reached over to pat his arm in comfort. "What happens next is up to you, so think on it, alright?"

He nodded distractedly, trying to think of what to do with himself, when his door was knocked on loudly.

"Um, Sir? Package just arrived for you. Boy, is it heavy though! Lemillion-kun and I had to work together to bring it to the closest desk to your office, Sir!"

Morosely getting off his couch and moving with Juzou towards his door, he opened it and peeked through. Mirio was curiously prodding at the box while Awata had still been standing by his door when he'd opened it, so he inwardly sighed and walked out. Heading towards the box, he furrowed his eyebrows and experimentally tapped the top.

"Seems innocent enough?" Mirio said hesitantly.

Mirai grabbed a pair of scissors off the desk the box was on and began to cut it open, before peering into the box. He stiffened up and stared, breath caught in his throat. Carefully reaching inside, he grabbed the heavy statue and he brought it into view, laying it onto the top of the desk gently.

"Holy shit, Sir, that is amazing," Awata actually cursed, gazing in awe at the custom statue that had been gifted to Mirai.

He swallowed heavily, feeling numb as he stared at the flawless, beautiful creation that had been worked so hard on for him. He tentatively reached out and touched the statue, looking over the careful detail and obvious attentive love that had been put into it.

And he couldn't help crying over it, burying his face into his hands.

"Sir?!" both Awata and Mirio cried out in worry, but he paid them no attention. He vaguely heard Juzou quietly shuffle them away to leave him be, which he was grateful for.

Because he really, really missed the one person who'd managed to make him happy again.

When Izuku heard the loud banging on her door instead of the usual buzz of her door buzzard, she was caught off guard and more than a little wary. She did remember how she lived in the warehouse area, where many of the buildings were prime locations for robberies because of what they had inside, though thankfully each of them had around the clock security. It was why she opted for the camera on her doorbell and another extra, hidden camera by the entrance, aside from her own security system.

She just didn't expect Mirai to be outside her home, especially after what had happened last time.

Hesitantly opening the door to him, she was surprised by his appearance. Not meticulous as Sir Nighteye was known to be, or even how he mostly was in his disguise (he also wasn't even in disguise either), he looked disheveled and his eyes were red like he'd been crying.

He was also holding tightly onto the statue she'd given him, tentatively shipped to his Agency and probably having arrived that day.

"M-Mirai-san —Sir Nighteye, is something wrong?"she stammered, glancing at the statue then. "Is there an issue with your statue? Something you wanted corrected or —"

"It's perfect," he interrupted firmly, blinking rapidly. "It's absolutely beautiful and I love it. I just don't deserve it."

What?

"What kind of friend am I to run away and stay away from you like a coward? Especially when I'd just told you I wouldn't leave you behind for such petty reasons. I still don't care that you're Quirkless," he expressed strongly. "I just…I just have to get used to the idea of the age gap and how old you are. Because I still adore you and our friendship too much to let it go. I value it more than you can know…so if you had it in you to forgive me, I'd very much like to continue our friendship."

Oh. This was…this was a lot. But she had expected his reaction when he would inevitably find out how old she was and had tried to brace for it…It had still hurt when it came and even more so when it seemed like he was staying away and would probably never talk to her again. So him coming here and saying all that too was surprising and a lot to handle.

But the biggest thing she could feel was happiness that he was there and that he still did want to be friends with her (even if a part of her hadn't minded the kiss and would've wanted to be more…).

"Come…please come in, Sir Nighteye," she said faintly, thinking it was best to continue this conversation inside her home.

"I would prefer if you stayed casual and call on me familiarly," he insisted and she bit her lip.

"O-okay, Mirai-san," she smiled shyly at him.

He gave her a smaller smile. "Is it okay if I still refer to you as Izuku?"

"Please do," it even made her heart flutter, just thinking of it.

They moved further into her workshop and she cleared a space for him to place his statue there. Then she led the way to her elevator and they rode up in silence, only talking once they'd sat at her couches.

"Honestly, I expected your reaction," she confessed to him, fidgeting on her seat. "My age had never concerned me before because I was mostly used to how I was regarded as a Quirkless. I just finally became a little more conscious of it when I met you and realized sometime together that it might actually bother you."

"That's part of what I don't understand," Mirai furrowed his eyebrows. "How can being Quirkless have anything to do with anything?"

She gazed at him, keeping quiet. She thought on it, trying to find a way to explain all of it simply to someone who was probably mostly ignorant of the kind of life those like her had to deal with.

"Do you know anything about Quirk Laws?" she asked him curiously.

He furrowed his eyebrows. "Somewhat. As a Pro-Hero, I'm required to know them to be able to function within the law and deal with those who are acting against."

Izuku hmmed, idly tapping against her knee. "What about Quirkless Laws?"

Mirai blinked. "There's no such thing."

She laughed bitterly. "Not openly and they're not broadly discussed or publicized, especially since there's so few of us left. You wouldn't be familiar with them since you actually have a Quirk and probably haven't dealt with a lot of Quirkless, have you?"

He shifted uncomfortably but shook his head.

"First thing we Quirkless have to know and acknowledge…and live with, is that once we become 10 years of age, we're legally adults," she said simply.

He looked taken aback. "What? That makes no sense. How does that even work? A 10 year old can't even hold a job."

"A Quirkless 10 year old can," Izuku shrugged, watching his face look troubled. "I'm 14, Mirai-san, but that's four years where I've lived mostly on my own and have paid bills, made decisions, and acted in my interest without a guardian because I am my own guardian."

Mirai's face showed his frustration. "What about your parents? You said you have them as your emergency contacts, so obviously they care. They wouldn't just…just let things be like this, would they?"

"Ah, but that's where things get a little…convoluted for me," she smiled a little, but it was resigned and tired. "Once Quirkless reach age of majority, because they're legally an adult, parental rights become void. Now…the rest of the world is handled differently. If you're 18 and have a Quirk, your parents or guardians can still claim you as a dependent and take care of you. It's stricter for Quirkless.

"'They' want the Quirkless to not become sheltered and not be able to function well on their own if they're 'crippled' by the copious amount of help. So a Legal Quirkless cannot be claimed as a dependent, can't be claimed under parental insurance, etc."

Izuku took a deep breath. "I have…insurance, but insurance offered to Quirkless people are shoddy, so I'd rather go to the free clinic. Or if I'm desperate and it's serious, I'll just pay out of pocket. That's more difficult since most places still wouldn't take me in, no matter the money. I could try to help out the clinic, but donations given by Quirkless to anywhere is a lot of bureaucracy bull to make it difficult.

"My father works overseas, where Quirkless people are treated a little bit better by people and the places there, but the laws still apply. He wouldn't be able to bring me over without a lot of issues regarding visas because of my Quirkless status, but he did manage to set up an account for me —it's what kept me afloat in the beginning, before I could get my own money going. He paid for this warehouse and I converted it and now maintain it."

Mirai began tapping his finger against his knee in agitation and she noted how similar they really were. Even with simple habits like that…

"What about your Okaa-san?" he frowned.

"She travels frequently —probably assigned all over, especially far away cases, because her job knows that she has a Quirkless daughter. Dad was the same way —he was 'promoted' to an overseas position when I was younger. They're a little more lenient with him over there, so I guess it really is a better job for him though…Anyway, Okaa-san lives in Musutafu in an apartment complex, in a middle-class area. It's a 'everyone knows everyone, and everyone's business is known to everyone' kind of place. Her having a Quirkless daughter is also a well-known thing and the apartment complex, supported by the law, is stingy about letting an extra 'adult' stay in the apartment with her. I would be considered a roommate and have to pay rent too. Hence why I just came to live here, to just ease the burden on Okaa-san socially and in regards to the landlord. If I stay there on occasion, they'll look the other way, but only if I'm not actually living there."

His jaw was visibly clenched and she could see him struggling.

"That's fucking bullshit."

Holy cow, she actually got to see and witness Sir Nighteye actually curse. Sure, he was also the friend she'd made over the past month-ish, but it was still Sir freaking Nighteye, and the fact he was capable of cursing like that was so weird. Even Mirai, as the person she knew, just cursing was strange too.

"I could look up the laws and show it to you?" she offered, knowing it was all very insane sounding.

"I believe you," Mirai told her with a scowl. "It's the whole thing that's bullshit. How can these laws exist? They don't even sound archaic —they sound like the government just wanted to do their best to wash their hands of their Quirkless without outright declaring you all inhuman."

Having him be all fired up and indignant on her behalf made her feel warm and like someone really did care about her. It was why she'd easily come to care and become attached to him.

"Anyway, that's really how life is, Mirai-san," she told him. "I've already had almost a handful of years to live my life like this and make my own decisions, so please continue to treat me as you had and don't suddenly decide to act as if I can't think or decide things myself."

He still looked chagrined but he nodded. "I would still like to talk to your Okaa-san."

"Whatever for?" Izuku raised an eyebrow.

Mirai hesitated. "I…Forgive me for being old-fashioned and stubborn, but you are still 14 and much younger than me. I'd like to at least reach out to one of your parents to ask permission to continue meeting with you…"

Fondly, she reached over and took his hand, whose finger had still been tapping away all this time.

"If it'll make you feel better," she smiled a little.

It was returned by a small one from him.

Started 2/10/23 (12:53 am) - Completed 2/27/23 (12:11 am)

Chapter Text

"You still have your overnight bag here," she noted, watching him. Mirai flinched back, having forgotten that he'd left it when he'd run away last time. "You can sleep over."

He hesitated but she rolled her eyes and poked his shoulder. "Mirai-san, you slept over just fine. I trust you."

He couldn't help feel happy and relieved to hear her say that, but he was still unsure about staying over the night.

She shook her head and stood up, moving to sit next to him. She huddled into his side and while he tensed for a few seconds in surprise, he relaxed and even put his arm around her.

"I've been propositioned for less, you know," she said softly and that made him scowl. "You're a good man, Mirai, and I know you won't suddenly decide to hold me down and take advantage of me. Don't overthink it and let's have the same relationship as we've had."

Mirai took a deep breath. He trusted himself and he adored her. He would never hurt her or do anything to upset her.

"Okay, let me get ready for the night."

She gave him his bag and he rummaged through it for the spare clothes he'd packed up the last time. Plain gray joggers and shirt, he fetched his spare underwear and headed up to the bathroom.

"I'll see you there," Izuku told him. "I'm just going to clean up my dinner. I'll be in bed by the time you're done."

Cheeks pinked, Mirai nodded to her. And even though it was his second time using her shower, it was like he was at home. Unable to feel unhappy anymore, Mirai cleaned himself up and then went to the bedroom straight after without anymore doubts or tension.

Seeing Izuku laying in bed, reading a book and scribbling into it…this was something he could've imagined what his life could be like; coming home to from work to his significant other, relaxing and winding down from the day.

Licking his lips nervously, he strode forward and made to lay next to her, sliding under the covers.

"Should I talk to your Otou-san too?" he brought up, thinking about it. "I know he's overseas, but he's your father and I know he's important to you too…"

"Please don't," Izuku groaned, pinching the bridge of her nose.

He blinked. "Can I ask why?"

She gave him a blank look. "Dad is like…horrible."

Hearing that sparked alarm bells and he was ready to interrogate her more, only to see her then roll her eyes.

"He's the, uh, what do you call it? Helicopter parent —or what the Japanese typically classify as one of those idiot, doting father types."

That made him pause and backtrack, confused now.

"If you say one word to him, guaranteed I'm going to see my father behind bars," she grumbled. "Knowing him, if he found out you were a Hero, he'd pretend to be a Villain or something and try to attack you or something —cry foul once you had to lock him up and yell in outrage to me that I shouldn't 'hang out with someone who'd arrest her poor, loving father.'"

"Surely your Otou-san wouldn't," Mirai said in amusement.

She gave him the blandest look he'd ever seen. "Last year, I had a college classmate over to study with at that time, and Dad was visiting. He pretended he had ties to the Mafia and would put a hit on my classmate if he stood closer than a foot to me while we were studying. Then he also claimed he had associates in the government, the Vatican, the CIA, and the Cartel. My dad is not sane when it comes to me."

Mirai coughed. "…Oh. Right, I get it. I'll…avoid talking to your father in the near future then."

"Good," Izuku nodded. "Even if you talk to Okaa-san, she knows how Dad is and won't tell him about you either." Then she made a face. "God, I can already see it happening in the future when you two inevitably meet." She buried her face into her hands. "I'm having nightmares thinking about it already."

It made Mirai laugh and reach over to pat her back. "I promise that I won't arrest your father at least, no matter what he tries. Loving fathers should be admired."

Izuku shook her head and shut her book, putting it aside. Then she shuffled downwards, shifting the covers over as she turned onto her side and faced him. She was nibbling on her lip.

"Can I ask about that night?" she whispered. "The night you got drunk and I had to pick you up at the bar? You just seemed…I don't know, a little melancholy?"

Mirai hesitated. "Did I say anything?"

Her cheeks tinted. "You just kept saying how happy you always are with me…that you haven't been happy in a long time but that I make you happy. D-do I really?"

He was so embarrassed he could die. But…

"Yes, you do," he answered quietly. "You really, really do and that's why I couldn't stay away."

She was fully blushing now but she was smiling too, so he didn't think he'd overstepped and made her uncomfortable by admitting his truth.

"You also told me you were too drunk to drive and let me drive you to your Agency, and you complained about living at work and having no work/life balance," she teased him. "You said you wanted to live in a place like here, and I said —just to remind you, now that you're sober and awake —you can stay here anytime, Mirai-san. I really do like having you over."

Thoroughly embarrassed, Mirai just embraced it. "Well, your bed is most definitely better than mine," he patted his pillow.

"Your bed isn't too bad," she giggled. "A bit small to accommodate both of us, but like you said, I was tiny. It worked out."

Oh God, did he really comment on her size? He wanted to dig a hole and disappear into it right now.

"Mirai-san?"

Looking at her, he saw she was back to being serious and he remembered her original question.

"I had…a phone call from someone I hadn't heard from in a long time, and it didn't really end on a good note," he murmured. "He…I suppose it's open talk that I split off from All Might all those years ago. Truth is, it wasn't a clean break; we'd parted on bad terms, in a way, and hadn't talked to each other in a long time. At one point last year, I called to let him know I had taken on Mirio-kun as a student, but it had been as brief and tense as this recent call. And this recent one…he called me this time and it took me aback," he admitted to her.

"I was happy though. I missed my friend and I was glad that he'd reached out. I was hoping we could talk and maybe bury the hatchet. I even managed to talk about you before things went sour," he said bitterly.

Mirai gritted his teeth as he remembered the phone call, of the things Toshinori had accused him of. A soft touch to the side of his face startled him out of his thoughts and he looked to Izuku to see her give him a small smile, her hand still against his face.

"The thing about All Might…about Toshinori is that he works so hard; too hard and never knows how to rest or take care of himself," he told her. "I was at his side for years and I'd tried to get him to not take it all on himself. And then there was this huge fight that did a horrible number on him and yet no matter how much I begged him to stop, to slow down and think about retiring or taking it easy…I was worried sick enough then that I'd even looked into his future and saw his death, you know? I wanted him to take better care of himself and told him if he didn't I'd leave."

"And you left," she concluded softly. "That's what the whole split was about back then and why you two went your separate ways."

"Yes. I couldn't take it anymore; I couldn't watch him keep harming himself and not caring about his life the way he was, especially when my words meant nothing and he wouldn't listen to a thing I said. So I left," he said, his voice a tinge regretful. "And now we're years later and we can't communicate properly."

"What did he say to you?" she asked hushed, eyes intent on him and her hand unwavering against his face.

"I couldn't even get passed talking about you before he thought I was trying to get him to mentor you or something," Mirai said in lieu of talking about passing on One For All to her, since he knew better than to talk about that Quirk. "And after I angrily corrected him about that, it wasn't long until he mentioned the Principal of UA calling him to offer a teaching position and then accusing me of putting him up to it. I denied it and cut him off, and then I got raging drunk at a bar."

And thinking about it again got him angry once more and he wanted to call his former friend up and rant to him —

The soft lips on his forehead brought him out of it and when Izuku pulled back, she gave him a sad smile.

"I'm really sorry you're still so hurt by this, Mirai-san."

He didn't cry (even though he really wanted to), but he hunched towards her, letting her hold onto him while he shook in her arms.

"You look fine, Mirai-san," Izuku called out, even though Mirai kept fixing his hair over and over.

"I'm going to meet your mother and I want to make a good impression."

After the heady, emotional night, Mirai was ready to do his best to beg Izuku's mother to allow him to continue his acquaintance with the young girl.

"She'll like you," Izuku drawled, leaning against the bathroom's entranceway. "Like I said, it's my dad that has issues."

"Most parents wouldn't be keen to have a grown adult man talking to their teenaged daughters," Mirai nervously pointed out. "I'm 37 years old and you're 14. That's a 23 year age difference."

Izuku walked into the bathroom and began to adjust his tie nonchalantly. "Technically more 22. In less than 3 months, I'll be 15 years old, Mirai-san."

He paused. "Your birthday is coming up?"

He'll have to think about birthday gifts too, so he didn't end up just getting her something last minute. 3 months seemed like enough time, but time passed by quickly and it'll be her birthday before he knew it —

"All the more reason for you to stop worrying so much about my age," Izuku said airily. "I could marry you in a year, you know, with my parents' permission. Or actually, my own permission and get married now."

Mirai opened his mouth to tell her to stop teasing, but he thought about it —as he'd studied up a little last night and that morning, regarding Quirkless, there were ways to be able to offer sufficient support to them; spousal support being one of them (unfortunately even encouraged upon). She couldn't be under parental insurance, but spousal insurance was different. If her parents couldn't claim and support her, she could go under his insurance permanently if she were married to him.

That was notwithstanding his wanting to be married to her in the first place.

"Okaa-san will like you," Izuku repeated confidently, patting his chest. "Now come on. It'll be lunch soon and she has a day off for once."

"Are you sure she doesn't mind meeting us today?" he asked her. "It's really last minute and I don't want to intrude." That Izuku had called her just that morning was as last minute as it could get.

"No, she's excited to meet a friend of mine," she said. "She knows what it means for me to have a friend. I don't have any."

Mirai frowned and reached out to grab her hand, incidentally slowing her down too. "We are friends. You don't have to say you don't have any."

Izuku smiled shyly at him. "Still trying to get used to it. Having an actual friend is new to me."

He could only just squeeze her hand to reassure her. She kept hold of it and led him out of the bathroom, where they traveled to the main floor of the loft and she grabbed her bag and he grabbed his keys. They made quick work of getting out of there, heading to Mirai's car.

As the driver, he tried to keep his nervousness out of his mind while he drove to where Izuku's directions took them. As he drove though, he saw something at the corner of his eye that made him make a sharp swerve and turn to park at the sidewalk.

Not answering Izuku's bemused look, he exited the car nervously and headed towards the vendor, who looked startled at his abrupt entrance. Mirai glanced around the wares, trying to discern the best choice.

"She likes regular roses, Mirai-san," he heard Izuku tell him and he sheepishly looked over to her. "Are you really getting her flowers?"

"I want to make a good impression," he insisted. "I should have prepared a gift earlier. A bottle of wine probably would've been best —"

"She doesn't drink it," she interrupted him with raised eyebrows. "And flowers are fine. Don't worry about it, Mirai-san. Pick a bouquet and let's have a homecook meal with my mom."

Only glancing at her hesitantly once, he turned back to the flower bouquets on sale. He wished this wasn't all last minute —if he had been able to plan better, he would've been able to come up with a better introductory gift and settled some of his nerves.

Some, not all. He was still meeting Izuku's mother after all.

"I'd like that one, please," he pointed out to the bright red, not yet in full bloom roses. They were the classic red ones, but since they hadn't fully bloom, at least they'd have a longer time to stay fresh and not die so quickly.

The vendor carefully grasped the bouquet of roses and handed it to him and he paid quickly. Izuku quietly but patiently stood by him while he finished up, and afterwards she led the way back to his car. Resettling, Izuku took the bouquet and held it, while he started to drive away.

"What're your favorite flowers?" he found himself asking.

She gave him a surprised look. Then she looked hesitant. "I'm not…normally fond of flowers," she said softly. "The only flowers I've ever been given were the ones dumped on my desk at school…and I don't really care for spider lilies. I know what higanbana is meant to say after all."

He tried not to look upset, but he probably failed. "Sorry," she muttered.

"You shouldn't be the one that's sorry," he took a deep breath. "You deserve to be given the loveliest of flowers."

He hated that she had never gotten flowers before and that he himself hadn't done so yet was unforgivable. He should have long gifted her some.

"We're almost there," was what she answered with instead and he inwardly sighed.

Inko checked one more time to see her daughter's favorite dish was on its way to being finished, before she went to double check her appearance was alright. She couldn't do anything about looking tired, but she could at least make sure she was decent. Her daughter was bringing someone over after all.

She had never done so before.

It made Inko a little anxious, hoping it wasn't someone looking to take advantage of her daughter…but also pretty sure of her daughter's judgment. She had taken care of herself for years and even before she'd had to move out and pretty much start living as an adult, she'd already been maturing faster and realizing the world she would have to live in.

It had only been a little over a year and a half after Izuku had been told she was Quirkless, that Inko's daughter had understood and reality had set in for the young girl.

Inko and Hisashi hadn't been able to keep their little girl from facing the world that was against her.

So to say that Inko was beyond relieved and glad that Izuku had managed to find someone who accepted and wanted to be friends with her (and a hint more, if what Izuku had been hedging around implied). Even if she'd also said her newfound friend was…

"He's older than me," Izuku said bluntly on the phone. "But he's a really good guy. We get along really well and he cares a lot about me. You'll like him."

And if her daughter said so, Inko was pretty sure then that she would.

Inko had finished up as soon as there was knocking on her door, so she quickly checked on the katsudon and then headed to the door. Pulling it open, she smiled widely at seeing her daughter, who looked carefree for once.

Then she caught sight of her daughter's friend.

Standing next to Izuku, the man (and it was definitely a man, not an older boy as she'd assumed) was quite tall and very much older than her daughter. The size difference caught her off guard too —he was very tall overall, much less for the average Japanese man, and compared next to her tiny Izuku? Goodness, he towered over Inko's daughter.

But she kept in mind what Izuku had told her (and it helped that he looked nervous, even with his stern expression).

"Come in!" she said brightly and stepped aside to let them into the apartment.

The man cleared his throat and held out the bouquet of roses to her. "This is for you, Midoriya-san. Izuku-kun said you liked roses."

Blinking in surprise, she accepted the bouquet and smiled at him. "Thank you…?"

He gave a polite, slight bow. "My name is Sasaki Mirai; pleased to meet you, Midoriya-san."

Inko laughed and waved him off. "Pleased to meet you, Sasaki-san. And please —don't be so formal. If my daughter lets you call her Izuku, then please call me Inko! Plus, if you meet my husband, he'll be the one insisting on Midoriya-san vehemently," she and Izuku snickered together. Hisashi really did take parenting to the extreme sometimes. "It'll be less confusing like that anyway, so leave the formalities to my husband."

"Ah, yes, right. Izuku-kun told me about Midoriya-san…" he muttered. He cleared his throat again, refocusing. "Then please, call me Mirai as well, Inko-san."

Her daughter and he hovered rather close together and she noticed that, while the man was outwardly very serious and calm, Izuku had a hand slightly touching an elbow. She hmmed slightly, still smiling at the duo while assessing them together.

"The food is almost ready," she told them. "But I might've forgotten a few things for dessert. Izuku, would you mind popping out and going by the market to buy them for me?" Seeing her daughter glance at her older friend and look hesitant, Inko pressed on slightly. "Please, dear? And don't worry, I won't scare Mirai-san off," she teased.

Izuku sighed and then rolled her eyes, giving her mother a look as she nodded and left, patting Mirai's arm gently a couple times as she left his side. Inko told her what she needed, things she did have but needed more of for the future at least, and sent her off. Then it was just Inko and Mirai left.

"Please, have a seat, Mirai-san," she gestured to the kitchen table. "I'll just be right out with the food."

"Do you need help?" he asked, not moving towards the table just yet.

Inko thought about it, but decided their talk could get started on already this way. "Would you mind getting the dishes and utensils then? I'll bring out the katsudon."

"Are we eating Izuku-kun's favorite then?" he asked as he walked with her into the kitchen area and she directed him towards the correct cabinet and drawer.

Inko gave him a glance. So he was familiar enough and cared enough to know and memorize Izuku's favorites. Point to him.

"Yes," she affirmed as she carefully retrieved the pot.

Without asking, Mirai already retrieved the cutting board on the counter, and they headed back to the table where he placed the board in the middle and she was able to place the pot on it. Then he was efficiently settling down their plates and utensils.

"I'll leave the whole how you two met for when Izuku comes back," she said suddenly. "I think that part's important enough for you two to share together. I guess I can just ask why the sudden meeting with me? Izuku's never brought anyone over and if there was someone she was working with or studying with, she might give a mention or two but still not care enough to have them meet me."

"I asked Izuku-kun if it was alright and we were lucky enough that you were home today," he easily admitted. "The two of us…we'd just recently got over a bit of a bump in our friendship," he hesitantly said. "I'd just found out about…how old she actually was."

He cleared his throat and looked down. "Admittedly, I'd assumed she was much older when we met. I'd made the assumption that she was a young adult," he said contritely.

Inko didn't judge since she knew plenty of people who had done the same regarding Izuku. It was just an unfortunate byproduct of the way Izuku looked and acted.

"I was very caught off guard and I admit that I'd gotten a bit scared off," Mirai confessed to her. "The age gap and how young she actually was had me spiraling and I ended up staying away for a week."

"That's not actually too long away," she said neutrally, though inwardly she was amused at the short time lapse and wondering why it was so short.

"I couldn't stay away," he looked visibly uncomfortable. "Izuku-kun is the first person I'd ever connected to, at least in a long time. I love being around your daughter —she makes me the happiest I've been since I could remember and I treasure our friendship too much to just let it go and forget about her. I also don't want her to think, especially when I'd found out she was Quirkless before that, that I would just easily abandon her and our connection when I promised her that I wouldn't."

Inko already approved of him because her daughter had, but this short conversation with him had her heartily and personally approving him herself wholeheartedly.

"When I reached out to her again, we had a talk last night and she told me about…her circumstances. The Quirkless laws and how she'd lived in that loft apartment…she made me understand that she was more or less her own guardian and has made her own living and all her decisions for the past 4 years at least. And that I should treat her like I had been and to not start to infantilize her and treat her like a child, when —despite her age —she hasn't been for a long while."

He moved closer to her and to her shock, he went straight into a seiza right before her, head bowed to the floor.

"She is the best person in this world and the most important to me. That is why, because I understand the age difference between us and how much older I am than her, I thought it only proper to come meet with you and ask your permission to continue our friendship."

Oh, oh dear. This was unexpected and she was caught off guard by the formal, serious request from the other.

"I'm going to assume Izuku already told you that you didn't have to meet with me or Hisashi, and that her decision to be with you is on her own terms," Inko said, already deducing what her daughter had said to him beforehand.

"Yes, she had and I accept her choice," he admitted. "But I also told her I'm old-fashioned and understand normally how concerning our friendship would be, if it weren't for those stupid, archaic nonsense laws and the discrimination against her 'status'. I also not only thought then that it'd be appropriate and assuring to reach out to you, as well as I'd be a lot more comfortable with you knowing of—if not accepting our friendship, despite the oddities."

Well, Inko guessed she understood why they'd been so urgent in meeting her that day.

She headed towards him and knelt to grasp his arms, helping him up from the formal position. Inko smiled brightly at him, knowing that she could trust this man with Izuku and that he genuinely cared for her.

"I think you and I both know that Izuku wouldn't forsake you either, not even if I denied you two meeting together," she said wryly, still smiling. "But for what it's worth, I find you a very admirable, sincere man and I would trust you with Izuku with her judgment alone, though you have definitely earned my approval right now."

She was happy to see him looking relieved and the slight smile from him made her understand the physical appeal of him for her daughter. A handsome man made more handsome with a smile.

"I'm back! Smells good in here!"

Inko chuckled. "Let's go greet my daughter and let her see I haven't traumatized you or anything."

"It would be an interesting prank, were we to pretend to do so, but I doubt Izuku-kun would appreciate the humor in it," he said dryly, a brief smirk flittering across his lips.

Oh, yes, she definitely approved and liked her daughter's friend!

Started 3/7/23 – Completed 6/21/23

Chapter Text

When Izuku met them in the dining area, Inko could see Mirai's face light up and the shy, happy look on Izuku's face in return. It further reiterated to her that these two were very close and sincerely happy together.

Friendship is what they both kept adamantly pushing towards her, but she could also see what was brewing under the surface.

Inko wasn't exactly blind or deaf. Her daughter had, when first informing her about her 'new friend' that she wanted to introduce, implied her feelings for him as well as hinting that he had felt the same. It was never exactly said, but Inko could read between the lines. Likewise, talking to Mirai just now, the way he talked to and about Izuku, it would be impossible not to understand just exactly how he felt about Inko's daughter. And seeing them together (or even them individually when talking about the other), and it was all too obvious that friendship wasn't what they really wanted from each other.

But then, remembering what Mirai had said about their recent stumble in their relationship, regarding the age gap and Izuku's age…Well, she also understood just why their relationship is stalling at friendship for now.

And at the table, watching Mirai dole out food for an embarrassed Izuku and the man teasing back in his dry voice, she had a feeling 'friends' isn't exactly going to be what they were going to stay as.

"Mm! I missed your cooking, Okaa-san," Izuku said happily. "And I really missed having my favorite from you."

"It is quite delicious, Inko-san," Mirai agreed. "I can see where Izuku-kun got her cooking skills from."

"Oh, you!" Izuku swatted playfully at him. "Stop teasing me all the time."

"I cannot. It's a wonderful pastime."

"Ugh, you jerk!"

A brief smirk flitted across his lips, while Inko inwardly shook her head at them in amusement and knowing.

"So…" Inko drew out. "Tell me how you two ended up meeting."

The two looked at each other, oddly embarrassed. "Um…it's a long story," Izuku started, blushing heavily.

"Rather than long, it's more embarrassing," Mirai admitted instead. "Izuku-kun, would you like to tell it?"

"I don't think I can without stopping and wanting to hide my face."

Mirai chuckled and shrugged. "Alright, then I shall. The thing is, Inko-san, I had recently concluded my business at the convention and was looking around and searching for interesting All Might merchandise. I'm a collector, you see? I was hoping to find things I have not seen or have collected already."

Inko mentally snorted. Of course. No wonder Izuku was drawn to him; All Might fans! It made her smile to see Izuku bonding with someone, especially over something her daughter loved.

"I was surprised to find a very rare, very expensive All Might statue. Coincidentally, your daughter was there and had been eying it at the same time apparently."

"I was," Izuku ended up taking over anyway, giggling. "I was amazed and wanted it immediately. I had just been talking to the seller and had just about to ask to buy it, when I heard someone else also say 'I'll buy it!' at the same time as me."

"We ended up clashing in front of the seller," Mirai recalled in amusement. "I remember him being so bewildered. I was, admittedly, very abrasive as I demanded if Izuku-kun could afford it."

"I was just as abrasive when I demanded the same of you," Izuku laughed. "I was probably worse, since I ended up calling you 'Mr. Salaryman' insultingly."

"And then we proceeded to both take out our phones and use our cash apps to buy the statue," Mirai chuckled. "Which then led to her offering me a custom made one from her, and the seller discovering her lucrative business and asking her to sign her Endeavor work for a reduced price on the All Might statue."

"Poor Mirai-san was forgotten and pushed to the wayside," Izuku giggled again. "He desperately asked to accept my original offer if I wouldn't mind sharing the All Might statue with him. I felt bad for him and thought he was a kindred soul, so I said yes and we ended up becoming friends over time."

Inko couldn't help laughing herself, feeling like this was definitely a cute meeting and maybe something that would've happened in one of those Korean romances she sometimes tried to binge on Netflix when she had time and energy.

"What a meeting," Inko smiled widely at the two sitting together and across from her. "I'm sure you two have had a really good relationship so far, despite the recent revelations about Izuku, so please know I will be happily supporting and accepting your friendship," she gave her approval again, as she'd only let Mirai know.

Izuku squealed and clapped her hands. "Thank you so much, Okaa-san! Despite the recent things we learned about each other, we still really enjoy being with each other and want to be friends still."

"And what had you learned about Mirai-san, Izuku?" Inko asked teasingly.

"In hindsight, I feel pretty dumb," Izuku started, rubbing the back of her head in embarrassment, "but him being Sir Nighteye was totally obvious."

Inko laughed…but then paused and sort of back tracked through that, going to stare at Mirai in shock. Mirai blinked before his cheeks tinted lightly.

"Ah, Izuku-kun, I may have forgotten to mention that to your mother."

Izuku burst out laughing. "Did you? No wonder she looks like she's in shock! I'm sorry I didn't mention it either, Okaa-san."

Inko felt a little faint at the realization and even took another look at the Pro-Hero she knew was an old Sidekick of Izuku's favorite All Might, and who Izuku had been extremely fond of as well. Her daughter had certainly talked enough about both men.

She could definitely see the resemblance now.

"Please continue to treat me normally, however," Mirai immediately said. "As I told Izuku-kun, I enjoyed our casualness and preferred it. So might I also request that you also ignore my Pro-Hero identity and treat me as you have been so far?"

"Of course, of course," Inko agreed, understanding. "Though, may I assume the casualness between you and my daughter is because of more personal reasons?" she couldn't help teasing.

The very obvious, blaring red color on the Hero's face, as well as Izuku's indignified "O-Okaa-san!" was very worth it.

"You two, at this point, might as well just drop the honorifics," Inko told them in amusement. "I think the two of you are much too close and obviously fine with addressing each other familiarly to bother with those anymore."

"If I-Izuku doesn't mind," Mirai glanced hesitantly at Izuku.

Her daughter beamed back, more than ready to be super casual with the man. "Of course, Mirai!"

Inko chuckled and decided she was very much agreeable to their relationship. Now to somehow prepare Hisashi for it…

Mirai was content like this, even as awkwardly sitting on the floor like he was. Cross-leggedly. Hunched over his laptop. With his long limbs and lanky body. Yeah.

But at least he was with Izuku in her loft and the two of them were working on their individual things. She had classwork and his Agency had been handed a new case that he was looking over and would be presenting to his team tomorrow.

"So…you know how I attend Aldera still, even though I'm a Todai student?" Izuku spoke up, even though her eyes stayed glued to her own laptop screen.

"Yes. I still don't understand that?" Mirai prodded her, looking away from his laptop to stare at her in scrutiny.

"You know how schooling is in Japan; you're only required to attend school up to middle school —lower secondary, which ends up at 9th grade," Izuku started. "I'm starting 9th this month, so last year in Aldera. Most kids have to stay; as a Quirkless Adult, I could have quit school the moment I turned 10."

His scowl felt like it was going to end up permanent at this point.

"But at the same time, when it comes to schooling, the laws are a little bit fickle. Technically, I can quit and not go to school, but being at a certain age where most others would be required to go, I also have the option to attend school. As a Quirkless Adult, I also have the option to do higher education. And again, since I'm a Quirkless Adult, regardless of my present educational history, I was allowed a special entrance test to determine my qualification into Todai."

"I see. So that's how it is," Mirai said, understanding how she'd managed her current education situation. "Why attend Aldera then?"

At the sudden quiet, he started to feel alarm and began wondering if he'd somehow said something wrong.

"I want to go to a Hero school," she whispered, catching him off guard. "But I'd have to finish off middle school to actually get into high school. Hence attending Aldera."

"Oh," he said, having not expected that. "Well then…what Hero school were you thinking of?" he asked, curious about it.

Her hunched over form straightened up and she turned to him, looking surprised and too careful. Realizing she had expected a negative reaction from him, he simply gave a smile and waited patiently. She gave him a small smile back and put her laptop to the ground beside her.

"I really want to go to UA," she told him in a hushed voice. "It's where Best Jeanist, Endeavor —where All Might went. Where you went," she said, cheeks pinked. His lips tugged up. "I just…I've always wanted to be a Hero and go to UA."

"Then of course you'll get in," Mirai encouraged her. "I have no doubt you will."

Izuku gazed at him in awe, looking too hesitant and timid for his liking. "Do you mean it? You really think a Quirkless nobody, some useless deku like me could get in and even be a Hero?"

Hearing her talk about herself like that made his blood boil (but also wonder who the hell put these ideas into her head)?

"First of all, do not ever talk about yourself like that," he lectured her angrily. "You are not a Quirkless nobody and you're nowhere near useless. You're absolutely amazing —you're incredibly intelligent, intelligence that puts me to shame and would make the Principal of UA himself covet you and do whatever the hell Nedzu can to make you a student of his school."

"You're exaggerating," she mumbled, looking down.

"I'm not," he insisted. "Nedzu would probably kill for you. Legally…Or as legal as he could make it…"

Mirai thought on that some more and inwardly shivered. He found that it was a very likely scenario, in the case of that chimera meeting Izuku.

"I take it back —I think it's best that rat demon never finds out about you," Mirai declared, grimacing.

She looked at him in amusement, but at least she wasn't so sad-looking anymore. "You know, I'm pretty sure his base is more stoat than rat."

He stared at her, blinking a few times. "Hm…interesting theory. I might just ask him that, the next time I see him." Then he mentally shook his head. "In any case, you don't even need a Quirk. Your intelligence is so amazing, people will probably mistake it as one. In fact, your analytical skills are so impressive, I'd wanted to ask you to work with me in my Agency, after I let you know who I was and after your studies were finished. Offer's open, by the way."

Her pinked cheeks were gratifying.

"I'll think about it, " she grinned before being back to being hesitant. "…Then I guess I'll be applying for UA…"

"Good," he nodded. "I can write up a recommendation letter for you too."

She looked taken aback before a contrite look took over her face. "Mirai, you know I wasn't telling you to use you or anything, right? You're a good friend and I'm not looking to take advantage or anything."

He waved her off. "You're not and I understand —I know you. Besides, it's called networking. When you have connections, it's best to learn to use them and how they can be useful. Consider this a lesson in the more Twilight and Underground Heroics you'll learn, as well as politics."

She still looked bemused and hesitant, but at least she was nodding in acceptance.

"And to go back to needing a Quirk to be a Hero, may I remind you that my Quirk is virtually useless in battle?" he said dryly. "Foresight can predict an opponent, so long as conditions are met, and has restrictions on it. And once used, it can't be utilized until 24 hours later —leaving me to fight with nothing but myself and my Hyper-Density Seals. I'm more or less a Quirkless Hero," he said in deadpan, raising an eyebrow at her.

Izuku said a quiet 'oh' and gazed at him contemplatively. "That makes sense," she muttered, blushing. "It was one of the reasons why I liked and admired you as a Hero anyway."

"There you have it," he said. "Anyway, since my specialty is fighting without a Quirk most of the time, would you like me to train you? It'll be helpful for you when it comes time to do the entrance exams to UA."

Her eyes widened. "Oh, would you really?!"

He pushed his glasses up. "Yes, of course. As your friend and as a Pro-Hero at that, it would be remised of me to not offer my help. I would want you to be prepared and be able to protect yourself as well, since I care about you. It would only be right."

She was blushing heavily by then but at least also full out grinning, which pleased him immensely.

"I would also like to officially introduce you to my team and bring you to my Agency, so you can have a proper look around."

"Oh my God, I'd love that!" she gushed. "I didn't get to really look around since I was more focused on taking care of you and everything."

That made him blush and inwardly feel embarrassed at the memory of his behavior.

"Well, anyway, come with me to work tomorrow morning and I'll give you a tour," he coughed, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Thanks so much, Mirai!" she squealed, tossing herself at him.

He easily caught her, even though he'd been taken by surprise, and held her with one arm while the other held his laptop away from them.

Mirai smiled to himself, pleased he'd done something to make her happy and to have helped her in some way.

Izuku was very excited about going with Mirai to his Agency. The idea that she would be looking around Sir Nighteye's workplace was amazing, especially as a fan. As a friend though, it was a huge milestone in their relationship, mostly as she would be introduced to other important people in Mirai's life.

"Are you ready?" Mirai asked, looking nervous. She wondered why; shouldn't she be more nervous than him? She was the one being introduced to new people. "We'll be early, so I'll show you around first. Usually Centipeder comes in first, so he'll probably be the first to meet you."

She knew her face lit up and she was practically vibrating out of her skin, but she was super excited about meeting Mirai's Sidekicks. Plus, she sort of knew Mirio from tutoring him that one time, so she was excited about meeting him too.

Izuku followed Mirai to his car, where she sat beside him and tried not to fidget so much. But her excitement was hard to contain and looking over to him saw his face slightly smiling.

"They sort of know about you," he told her unexpectedly. "They kept noticing I was suddenly texting a lot and I let them know I made a friend at a convention. I was also, as I mentioned, watching Ouran at work, so they over exaggerated about my 'not working at work'. Though at least that, they don't know you were the influence of. Mirio knows you from when you tutored him and I told Centipeder more about you when I was worrying over your age and the whole age gap."

"Oh…So he knows the most about things between us," she said, feeling unsure about that.

"He's a good friend and who helped me realized I wanted to keep knowing you," he told her. "Prior to that, I was a 'depressed mess', as Bubble Girl informed me. Not that she knew why…"

"Were you really?" she asked hesitantly curious.

He winced. "I believe I was brooding and lifeless the entire time, and I'd spent more time on my couch and bed than I'd ever had. Though I had also thrown myself into my work more than ever, hence one of the others stepping in and trying to bring me to my senses."

"Then I'm glad," she declared. "I really missed you and worried I'd never get to talk to you again," she was bluntly honest.

"Me too," he murmured. Then he hesitated before reaching out and taking one of her hands. She giddily gripped it tightly, refusing to let go. "Thank you for accepting me back."

"Thank you for coming back," Izuku said simply.

When they arrived at his Agency, he parked in his usual spot and then traveled the long way to the front, instead of going to the parking garage's elevators. Through the front of the building, he showed her the lobby, where the receptionist usually was, and then he led the way to the elevators finally. Going up a level, he showed the main floor where he worked.

"Those are where my Sidekicks and I work," he pointed out the desks and his office. "We handle most of the cases that head our way here. Our day to day operations occur on this floor."

Izuku whirled around in awe, gazing at everything in her excitement. She was standing in an actual Hero Agency and exactly where they did their work!

"This is amazing!" she grinned widely, unable to help hopping from desk to desk and looking over everything. "Oh my God, Mirai, this is so cool. Did you build this place with your own money or did you find it and bought it? Did you convert the space and did you have a vision of how you wanted your Agency to be structured? Oooh, this desk is definitely Mirio-kun's —that's a UA textbook."

Mirai couldn't help the laugh, fondly trailing after her. He was also very proud and pleased she liked his Agency. He had worked hard to build his Agency from ground up and to separate himself from the image of All Might. That she, someone important to him, approved so heartily of it made him extremely happy.

"I saved up all the money I'd made as All Might's Sidekick," he admitted. "I used some of what I set aside to buy this building and then convert it to what I have now. The All Might statue pretty much took a huge chunk out of what was left," he said sheepishly.

"But worth it," she said giggling, hand out to him. He pushed his glasses up and slapped it. "Yes, very worth it."

'Especially since it led me to meeting you,' he wanted to say.

"Anyway, there's other floors I haven't shown you," he told her. "I have a training floor, where the gym is situated, and there's a floor for the medical ward. The top is the meeting rooms, where I hold meetings for larger groups, especially in collaboration with other agencies."

"Then let's go!" she grabbed his hand, heading out of the main floor and back to where the elevators are. "You can show me your office afterwards. I didn't really look around, since I just carried you to bed and then we went to sleep."

Face flaming hot at that, he coughed and changed the subject. "Let me show you the other floors! The gym area is where I can start teaching you."

"Oooh, lead the way, Mirai!"

Mirio had already started organizing his desk to start the day, after he'd greeted Bubble Girl and Centipeder. He was surprised not to see Sir, since the man practically lived in his office and was the first there before anyone else. However, Centipeder was there first and had talked to them about their assignments for the day, and when questioned, had also not known where Nighteye was.

"Wonder if he's late for once," Bubble Girl mentioned, though she sounded skeptical. Mirio understood. That would be unlike Nighteye after all. "Though has anyone tried his cell?"

"Not yet. I was about to in a bit," Centipeder revealed.

Just then the mahogany doors to the main floor opened, and they heard Sir's voice and an unfamiliar female's.

"So then you have a small staff of people around here too? I haven't seen anyone yet though!"

"They come in a little later. It's not a problem for them to come in at a later time since the mornings are reserved for me and my team to get settled and start our work inside."

Mirio perked up, since he at least recognized that voice.

"Oh, it's Midoriya-sensei!" he exclaimed, startling the others and making Nighteye and said girl stop right in front of the doors.

"Mirio-kun!" Midoriya-sensei said in consternation.

He grinned at her, seeing now what his tutor looked like. She was pretty, with her wild green hair and bright eyes that looked like gems. Her few freckles made her look cute too, so he could totally see why Sir was really enamored with her…even if Sir had never said that he was.

Nighteye cleared his throat. "Everyone, this is Midoriya Izuku…the friend I'd made at that convention I told everyone about. Izuku, this is Awata Kaoruko, also known as Bubble Girl. That's Moashi Juzou, known as Centipeder. And you've met Mirio over the phone," he ended dryly.

Mirio saluted after the others said their 'hellos'. "Hey there, Sensei! Pleased to meet you in person. Thanks again for the help. I actually understood it and got a good grade on that paper!"

She smiled brightly at him. "I'm glad to be of help, Mirio-kun. Any time you need help, let me know. But enough with the 'sensei!'"

"Anyway, let me show you my office, Izuku," Sir interrupted, frown on full blast. "Since it was saved for last, we can take a break and rest there."

"Okay, let's do that, " Midoriya smiled prettily at Mirio's mentor. "Is your All Might collection there? You promised you'd show it to me today!"

"Ah, yes, it is," Nighteye answered in embarrassment, an odd look on the normally stern man. "Nothing on yours though. Your collection makes me green with envy, I confess."

The two of them chattered while walking away from them and towards Sir's office. Bubble Girl shook her head.

"All Might stans," she laughed. "No wonder Nighteye befriended her. They seem to be super alike. Though she's really cute and pretty. Surprisingly young though."

"How did you end up knowing her, Mirio-kun?" Centipeder asked him curiously.

Mirio forgot that only Sir had been there and had also been the one to hesitantly introduce and ask his friend for help.

"I asked Sir for advance math help that one day," Mirio reminded them. "But even he had trouble with a lot of the problems. He brought up and offered to call his friend, and that's how Midoriya-sensei and I were introduced. She really is very smart —Sir said she's even a Todai student! But you're right; I'm also surprised at how she looks and how young she is. Aside from being an All Might fan, she isn't someone I'd picture Sir befriending or knowing at all."

"It's a bit even more convoluted than that, I'm afraid," Centipeder said cryptically. "But I suppose I'll leave that to Sir to talk to us about and reveal, if he wants to."

Mirio tilted his head in thought, now really curious to know.

Started 4/16/23 – Completed 4/19/23

Chapter Text

The loud squeal she let out happily made him proud and he was glad to have been able to show off his own collection to her. Although much smaller than hers, he did have plenty of rare finds that he'd been able to grab as All Might's Sidekick back then (and even now, as his ex-Sidekick).

"Mirai! Is that the 10th anniversary poster of All Might that was never released to the public? That's amazing! I can't believe you have it —although maybe I can, since you are his former Sidekick. You must be able to find and own a lot of really good All Might stuff," she mused.

"I do try," he allowed a small grin for her. "It was partly what I was doing, moving around in that convention in disguise before I ran across you."

She giggled before turning around in a circle to admire his office. "Wow…You really have some great posters here. You should have them framed."

He blinked, glancing at the nearest one. "What do you mean?"

"I like having posters framed to keep their posterity protected. Aside from not easily torn or damaged by outside forces, even dust or light, it'll keep them looking nice and fresh and overall aesthetically modern and all professional," she shrugged. "If you want, I can get yours done too? I do all mines myself, since that's the kind of thing I do for the drawings I do for some commissions. Paintings I do that aren't on canvas are definitely framed."

Mirai had actually never really thought about that, but now that it had been brought up, he would definitely want to keep his posters protected and continue to look nice for a long time.

"Would you? I'd really appreciate it and I would of course pay you," he said, grateful for the offer and her bringing it up in the first place.

"No, no," she waved her hands. "You're my friend! Of course I'd help you out like this."

Mirai couldn't help reaching over, hand hovering as he realized what he'd done and not knowing what to do, before then just deciding to continue on and finish off some sort of movement to not make his aborted move look odd. He patted her head, noticing off hand again, how small she was compared to him.

"You really are short," he found himself teasing.

"Hey! You're just too tall!"

As lunch came, Izuku was surprised by Mirai asking her if she wanted to eat out. She hadn't minded, but she wasn't sure if he usually ate with the others.

"Sometimes," he informed her. "But given I usually work through my lunch hour, I usually eat by myself in my office. I just recently started eating out more, as I met up with you."

She felt kind of warm and fuzzy hearing that.

"Does that make me special?" she asked teasingly.

"You are special to me," he said bluntly, without a pause. He'd said it so easily too, like it was fact and not something he would ever disagree on or take back.

It also reminded her of his confession before he'd run away, that he'd had feelings for her and was attracted to her. She still wondered if that was still true or had everything changed because he knew the truth about her now…

Izuku gave him a small smile. "You're special to me too."

It made him freeze and probably realize what he'd just said to her, and she was treated to seeing Sir Nighteye actually looking bashful and even a little shy at her response.

"There's a small restaurant around here that the others and I went to for dinner one time," he changed subjects in embarrassment. "We could go there?"

"Sounds good to me," she agreed. "I hope they have katsudon!"

She grabbed his hand and waited, though she noted that he'd looked taken aback and had tensed, before his cheeks tinted red and he turned from her to start leading the way out of his office.

"We'll be eating out for lunch," Mirai told his colleagues and she saw them glance at first at the two of them and then at their clasped hands.

"Enjoy your lunch, Sir," Bubble Girl giggled, looking at them mischievously. Mirio also snickered, waving them off while Centipeder shook his head at the other two.

Mirai quietly huffed and pushed up his glasses, tightening his hold on her hand as he started to quickly stride out of there.

"I like your co-workers," Izuku told him.

"As do I…on most days," he grumbled and she laughed.

It wasn't a long walk to the small restaurant that he took her to, which was quaint and homely. They were seated quickly too and it wasn't a big hustle and bustle crowd at the moment, so they could enjoy the quiet. After they gave their order, they sat in peace and waited together, sitting across from each other in the booth they shared.

"Hey, Mirai?" she asked, thinking of something she had been planning on for a while, but now with someone she was close to, might even share in.

"Hm? What is the matter?" he looked quizzically at her.

"There's a, um, cosplay event coming up soon. I was wondering if you wanted to attend with me? I know it's not your kind of thing, but I thought it would be fun to go with you and for the both of us to hang around others and…dress up too?"

He blinked at her in surprise and then looked hesitant. "I guess I wouldn't mind attending, since it would be with you…but cosplaying too? I'm not exactly the type to cosplay."

"Going in disguise can count a little as cosplaying," she playfully brought up. But she gave him an understanding look. "I get it though. It's fine if you don't want to dress up; I'm happy to have you just come with me. I usually don't have anyone to come with me to things."

He cleared his throat awkwardly. "Well…I could try it out? I mean, there's no harm done and I suppose it'll be fun if it's with you."

She became really excited at that and wanted to throw herself at him. Unfortunately, the table was in the way. That didn't stop her though —she went around the table and glomped him tightly.

"Yes! It'll be really fun and we'll enjoy it together and I promise you won't regret it," she rambled against him.

After a moment's hesitation, he put his own arms around her too and held her close.

"That said…what would we dress up as? And would we have to order our costumes online?"

Izuku smiled widely. "Well…why don't we start off easy? You can be Kyoya! You can totally pull it off and it's not a hard costume to come up with. And don't worry about costumes —I have that handled. I just need your measurements."

He gave her a bemused look.

As he usually did, he was careful as he dyed his hair and put his contacts in. His new glasses that he'd been wearing after Izuku had commented on his likeness to the character in the hospital and also about his lack of glasses came in handy; they were modeled after the anime character's actual glasses. A quick brush down of his hair made it semi-neat and when he was done with the basics, he looked at the 'uniform' that Izuku had gotten made for him.

It looked and felt like the real thing. It could've been a real high school uniform, if it hadn't been a replica of a uniform from a fictional high school with a fictional uniform design.

Mirai put it on and looked at himself in the mirror, blinking at the uncanny likeness. He knew Izuku said he looked like the character and he had agreed himself, but looking at him now, he hadn't expected being able to really look like the character this well.

He wondered how Izuku looked like. He knew she was going as Haruhi, since he'd told her he'd go as Kyoya only if she went as Haruhi (he shipped them, okay?), so he was looking forward to her cosplay look.

He was, however, wanting to hurry and get out of there since he didn't want to be caught by the others. Since the cosplay event was in Tokyo, Izuku said she'd meet him at his Agency after she got ready in her home and traveled to there, and they'd leave together from there.

When he reached the text that she was almost there, he was relieved and thought he'd just go to his car and drive the rest of the way to her. But upon exiting his office, he regretted it immediately.

Lost in his thoughts and brewing in his anxiety as he was, he hadn't realized the others had already arrived. Their jaws dropped at him simultaneously.

"S-Sir?" Mirio was blinking rapidly.

"W-wait, are you dressed up as that one character you said someone told you looked like?" Awata shamelessly stared at him.

"Izuku and I are going to a cosplay event together," he explained embarrassedly, even as his face heated up. "She suggested the look, especially since she was the one who made the comment that I looked like Kyoya in the first place."

"Very cute idea, Sir," Juzou commented, the first to break out of it and even start teasing. "Am I assuming she is dressing complementary to you?"

"She's going to be Haruhi," he admitted.

Awata chortled. "Totally shipping pair. Shippers at the event are going to go spare!"

"You have to let us take pictures, Sir!" Mirio excitedly said. "You look really good! And is Midoriya-sensei coming here? Or are you meeting her there?"

"Oh, I just made it here! Pictures sound fun! How about it, Mirai?" Izuku's voice sounded tired and he turned to his doors to see her breathing heavily like she'd run there.

"Are you okay?" he asked, striding over even as he admired her own cosplay.

She was playing long-haired Haruhi and had also put in contacts, so that her usually peridot-colored eyes were a warm brown instead.

She smiled up at him, accepting his help to stand up and walk over to the others. "I wanted to hurry and meet you, so I ended up running the last bit to here."

"Wow, Midoriya-san, you look good too. We definitely have to take pictures!" Awata agreed with Mirio, and with so many wanting to, Mirai gave in.

And, just to smugly prove that he could be charming, he made sure to look and act so in the photos, with Izuku as Haruhi amusedly willing to play along.

"Wow, there's so many people here," Izuku said as she looked around the courtyard. "And so many great cosplays! Ooh, that's a really good job on a Draken cosplay! They even shaved part of their head and did the dragon tattoo!"

Mirai looked around and agreed as well; there was a surprisingly great deal of people here and it was obvious how hard people worked on their costumes and that this was a passion for everyone there.

"Um, hello?" someone's timid voice asked from behind them and they stopped and turned, seeing a female high schooler. "I just saw you guys coming in! But you guys look amazing, especially you," she looked at Mirai in awe. "You look dead on like Ootori Kyoya, Sir! Is it okay if I can take a picture of you guys and also with you?"

Mirai blinked, unsure what to do about this. Brand new at these events and not knowing anything about them, he deferred to his partner and looked at her.

"If he's fine with it, so am I!" Izuku beamed back at the girl, looking happy and bright. She glanced at him in question and he shrugged. He was fine if she was.

They took a couple pictures with her and then she asked them to pose. He and Izuku did a few regular poses before they were asked to do some romantic ones, if they were comfortable with it. His face turned red, but Izuku giggled and unexpectedly turned to him, tiptoeing up and kissing his cheek. The flash went off and the picture was captured.

The girl squealed. "Sooo cute! I love this ship from Ouran. You guys are awesome! Please continue to cosplay in the future, especially together!"

She ran off happily and Mirai felt utterly dazed, not just from the experience but also from the kiss on the cheek from Izuku. Utter glee began to fill him then though.

Except, like the floodgates opening, others began to come to them and eagerly ask for pictures.

It really took Mirai off guard and he ended up just doing his best to go along with things and keep up with the photo-taking. There was, surprisingly, a lot of requests for romantic posing, which made him hesitant and secretly very agreeable to.

Before he knew it, the event was ending and many people were leaving. The crowd that had surrounded Mirai and Izuku were dispersing, and the two of them were laughing and holding hands as they also started to leave the area.

"That was really, really fun," Izuku told him happily.

"Yes, it was," he agreed, freely grinning back.

She hesitated then and he squeezed her hand encouragingly. "Let's do it again?"

"…Alright. I don't mind," he decided, finding himself actually honest about that.

A couple days later, while he was with the others on break and after he'd gone over a new case and wanted to have them reach out to a few other Heroes, he'd gotten a call from Izuku.

"Hey! Just got out of class and was going to study in the housing apartment," she said. "How are you?"

Ignoring the others' looks, Mirai was tempted to head to his office to take his call. Awata's deadly glare and hold on his chair made him look at her with a raised eyebrow. He stayed in his seat though. It wasn't like he could keep hiding away somewhere, every time he wanted to talk to Izuku.

"I'm fine; just finished a discussion with my team and on break. We're snacking a little."

"Ooh, on what?"

"Store-bought onigiri," he said dryly. "We also have store-bought bentos for later."

She giggled. "Sounds appetizing. Anyway, I was wondering if you wanted to come with and cosplay with me at an anime convention this weekend, since we had a good time and did so well at that cosplay event."

Mirai hadn't expected that to come up and for their next cosplay to come up so soon.

"Okay, it sounds doable? I have nothing planned this weekend," he thought about it. "Who are we going as?"

"Why don't you dress up as Sir Nighteye?"

He froze up. Huh?

Started 4/19/23 - Completed 4/19/23

Chapter Text

The idea of going out as 'himself' was strange and made him anxious. He'd balked at the suggestion when Izuku had brought it up.

"No one will know," she said confidently though. "It's a convention. People cosplay as Heroes all the time and no one will think 'Sir Nighteye' of all people would be walking around and enjoying the convention. You'll just be another Hero cosplayer, albeit a very good one with perfect likeness!"

"Then what'll you be?" he asked, not yet fully committing.

"It's a secret!"

"Relax, Sir," Mirio told him, grinning and fully supportive. "You'll be fine. Midoriya-sensei is right; no one is going to think the real Sir Nighteye is wandering about at an anime convention, especially masquerading as a 'cosplayer'. Just go there and have fun with Sensei!"

Mirai looked at his student in amusement. "You're not going to stop that, are you Mirio-kun?"

"Of course not!"

He chuckled and thought that Izuku will have to endure Mirio's affectionate 'nickname'. Besides, she technically was, given her tutoring of the older teenager (which now included English and History, aside from his normal levels of Math assignments). He felt slightly guilty that he'd sort of split the burden of teaching and tutoring Mirio off to Izuku, given that Mirio was his student and Izuku had her own studies to worry about —both her boring, regular studies at Aldera and her Todai classes. That wasn't withstanding her commission work, which was as packed as ever. She said she hadn't minded at all, but still…

"How's the training going with her?" Awata asked, carrying a box of files from her desk over to Centipeder's. Centipeder's face twisted into a grimace that was understandable. "You told us you were training her?"

"We're working on the basics," he said easily, thinking on Izuku's progress. "We'll be going out to the convention today and she'll sleep over tonight, and tomorrow we'll continue training. I'll probably teach her some easy, basic self-defense moves then —she walks around by herself too much, especially late at night. That's dangerous, especially in her area," he scowled, thinking about it.

"Make sure to at least teach her to kick a bastard in the balls, Sir!" Awata exclaimed heatedly, punching a fist into the air as she cackled.

Mirai winced before he imagined such a scenario Izuku might get in and started scowling heavily.

"Yes, you're right, Bubble Girl. I most definitely will."

Centipeder watched them in bemusement, more so as Mirio started guffawing off to the side. Honestly —these people…

Mirai felt his phone vibrate in his pocket and he picked it up hurriedly, turning away from the others to answer (at least he didn't run away to his office). Doing so meant he missed the amused look shared between his co-workers.

"Izuku? Are you almost here? I'm ready and can just meet you downstairs —"

"Don't you dare!" Awata yelled out, shaking her fist at Mirai's back. "Make sure you come straight to the main floor, Midoriya-san!"

A tick developed by Mirai's temple and he rolled his eyes up to the ceiling. Really?

"I'm going to be sad I missed you, Midoriya-sensei!"

The exasperation in his sigh could be heard all through the room.

Izuku's giggling interrupted his irritability. "I just entered the elevators, so I'll see you in a minute."

"I could still meet you at the elevators," he said mulishly. She laughed.

However, soon enough, the wooden double doors opened and she walked through. He was about to greet her when he stopped short and kind of just lost all thought and feeling.

She was dressed as All Might —genderbent, of course, but All Might all the same.

Their favorite Hero and absolute fans of. He would've geeked over it, especially since she did such a good job on the costume and even managed to do the hair, though it was longer. It was just…

It really was form-fitting and it wasn't like he'd forgotten his attraction to her. He had done his best to push it down to the recesses of his mind, but things like this just made it all that much harder to ignore.

Mirai was still in love with her and things like this, especially when it was being able to bond over and relate to each other on their admiration of All Might, just reminded him how much that was true.

"Ooh, good job, Midoriya-san! Guess I know why you wanted Sir to dress as himself!" Awata clapped in delight.

"Hm, yeah, this too," Izuku grinned. "I mean, at least now people really will just assume Mirai is just a cosplayer and not the real thing!" She turned in a circle. "What do you think, Mirai?"

"It looks really, really good," he said quietly, but his subdued tone and look made her falter and look at him unsurely. He tried to smile back.

She grabbed his hand and squeezed it, before turning to the others. "Anyway, we should probably go. Bye, guys!"

She led the way out, holding onto him, and he silently trailed after her.

While Kaoruko leaned back in her chair in boredom, she messed with her phone and tried to relax a bit. They weren't busy and since Nighteye was off with his not-girlfriend (riiiight), that left the office on a lax schedule that left them with a lot of time to themselves.

But she was bored and wished she could've tagged along with the couple!

They looked super cute too, with their cosplay. Sir, obviously, was just dressed as himself —but when it was coupled with Izuku's outfit, he looked like he wasn't dressed up in his Hero outfit and was dressed up for fun somehow.

Speaking of, she wondered if she managed some good photos earlier. Last time, they had plenty of time to take pictures, but this time there was an odd mood in the room. Scrolling through her gallery, the pictures still came out well; just last time was definitely a lot more fun involved. Hmm, could be because the two were rushed to get out of there today…

Another look at the pictures caused a lightbulb to light up in her head and Kaoruko started selecting pictures.

Izuku wasn't sure what was wrong, only that Mirai seemed to have gotten really down after he'd seen her outfit. She would have thought and hoped he'd be really impressed and excited, since she thought it looked good and she'd worked hard on it, and also since he was a fan of All Might like her. His reaction confused her and also made her feel unsure.

And maybe just a little insecure.

Maybe her costume wasn't all that good after all. Or maybe she looked horrible. Or…A thousand different thoughts ran through her head, each one more judgmental and as upsetting as the last. She felt like maybe Mirai was upset with her or thought she had crossed some sort of line.

They walked around the convention together and she tried to be excited, looking at all the displays, merchandise, and other cosplayers around them…but Mirai's quietness bothered her. They'd also already been asked to take pictures of and with other attendees, but their energy from last time wasn't nearly as overwhelming now. Compliments on their outfits, specifically hers, made her feel a little better, but she wanted to do something about the mood between her and Mirai right then.

"You wanna eat, Mirai? Let's take a break," she gave him a small smile, which he echoed, so she took his hand and led him to the food court.

Like last time, they sat at a table and she went to order their food this time. Bringing back familiar poke bowls, she put hers down first before she hesitantly poked his hand with a finger and another small smile.

"Hey, remember when we first met? Talk about déjà vu, right?" she gave a slight laugh, tapping the table.

He smiled a little at that too. "Yes, our first meeting was very memorable."

She sighed. "Look, I'm not good with tension or stewing in uncomfortable situations, so I'm just going to ask! I-is something the matter? Did I do something? You've been acting really quiet and distant since earlier and I don't want you to be upset at me —"

"I didn't mean to make you think that," he interrupted her, voice still quiet. "It does have to do with you…but more with me."

She was confused and a little panicky, wondering what had to do with her.

"I do still like you, Izuku," he murmured. "I just…was reminded very harshly of that earlier, when I first saw you."

Izuku froze, caught off guard by him. The idea of him being this affected by her was…surprising. And strange. And…

She bit her lip and slowly reached out to grab his hand, and though his face was unchanging, the slight tint to his cheeks and a quick squeeze of her hand had her giddily smiling.

"I suppose I can be a Sidekick again for a time," he said wryly.

She smiled brightly at him. "Then I'm happy to have you!"

The slight tint on his cheeks grew darker and her smile grew bigger.

Bubble Girl yawned, typing quickly into her laptop to finish her report. Mirai glanced at her and then at Centipeder, seeing both Awata and Juzou looking dead on their feet. Mirio was already snoozing on his desk.

"Alright, let's take a break," he announced to the others. "We've been working hard on this new case and it'll definitely be a long-term investigation, so there's no need to rush and try to get everything done."

Awata cheered. "Yes! Let's snack on what we have left in the break room —by the way, Sir, we need to do some shopping to refill our refrigerator and cabinets."

"Noted," Mirai replied, already heading to the break room. He found he was just as tired as the others suddenly, and probably wouldn't mind just crashing on Izuku's bed right about now. But then he remembered that it was an Aldera day and she was probably not even home yet.

The group of them, even Mirio after he'd been shaken awake, crashed the couches after grabbing what they wanted, and Mirai was tempted to text Izuku anyway. She could be heading home right now and they had talked about eating out for dinner…

"I'm going to turn on the TV," Awata told everyone, biting back another yawn. "I feel like having a little noise."

Mirio agreed. "Yeah, it's been oddly quiet all day." He glanced at Mirai slyly. "No phone calls or constant button smashing to text quickly to a certain someone."

"She's busy at school," Mirai immediately said, face and tone deadpan as he looked at his mentee.

Mirio gave him an unapologetic grin just as Awata turned on the TV. It was already on the news channel and just as his Sidekick was about to change the channel, a familiar figure was on the screen, running into a fiery setting and with some sort of sludge villain holding a boy hostage.

"Holy shit, is that Midoriya-san?!" Awata yelled, standing up.

Mirai felt faint and tried to quickly process what he was seeing. The fact that his friend, who had basically no real training to her just yet, had run into that messy situation and put herself in harm's way…

In horror, he watched her throw her bag at the sludge villain and managed to give the boy trapped inside the sludge a few seconds of air to breathe in before that sludge villain moved to attack Izuku. He hadn't even realized he'd stood up in a panic, staring heatedly at the screen and trying to will a miracle to happen.

And somehow, a miracle did happen.

Of all Heroes, All Might showed up and blocked the attack, saving Izuku from the villain. And then he awe-inspiring fought back and changed the weather with a majestic punch that reminded Mirai just why he'd always admired and was in awe of the man, no matter the issues between them.

"Wow, that was amazing!" he heard Mirio exclaimed.

"Did you see that? He changed the weather!" Awata echoed his intern.

Still, seeing Izuku being berated by the other Heroes in the background (They hadn't even done anything themselves! How dare they!) reminded him of his young friend's situation and he scrambled for his phone, calling her number immediately. At no answer, he dialed again. When he kept getting the same response, he quickly headed out of the break room.

"Sir?" Juzou called out in concern.

"I'll be leaving early," he told them, heading out of the office floor and going to the elevators. "Lock up when you're finished. You guys can leave now as well."

He'd gotten to his car as fast as he could, not willing to waste a single second. He hadn't been able to reach her yet.

He had to go check up on her, ask her what the hell had happened. That she wasn't answering her phone made it even worse and he kept trying to hurriedly contact her. His feeling of alarm kept growing and he wished he knew what was going on —

"Hello?"

Relief rushed through him at the sound of her voice, but he was still wary since she sounded so subdued.

"Izuku, are you okay?" he asked in a hush, feeling absolutely worried about her still. "I saw you on the news."

"Oh. That."

Mirai tensed, hearing the way she sounded and it made him want to be by her side right then. She was quiet and almost lifeless, and he wanted to be there to help her out of whatever mood she'd gotten in.

"M'fine," she muttered. "Not even any scratches or bruises, Mirai. I'm just…tired."

That made him even more worried though.

"I'll be there," he promised, starting his car. "Just wait for me."

"I'm at the park," she told him quietly. "Come pick me up?" she asked in a small voice and it made him wish he had a teleportation Quirk or something so that he could just pop up by her side whenever she needed him.

"Of course," he murmured, already rushing out of his parking garage. "I'll be there soon."

When he saw her small form slowly swinging at the park near her home, he hurried over to her silently. She glanced at him before she went back to staring at the ground, but her grip on the swing obviously tightened. He stayed silent, but he moved behind her to push her gently.

Then she started quietly sniffling and before he knew it, she was full out crying and he was wrapping his arms around her and leaning over her, holding her to him.

Izuku miserably clutched onto him and reluctantly told him about her day, how her teacher had outed her plans to go to UA to the class and how everyone laughed at her —how her 'childhood friend' (What kind of POS was the kid?) had told her to "take a swan dive off the roof and hope for a Quirk in the next life" and then how she'd actually almost died.

Mirai stopped breathing, squeezing her to him tightly.

" What did you say?"

She sniffled a little more. "I changed my usual walking route and ran into that stupid sludge villain under the bridge. Before he got to Kaachan…he got to me first. And I was choking and couldn't breathe, and he was surrounding me and diving down my throat and I just felt so gross and violated. It was like he was inside of me and I was going to die and no one was going to know or care —"

"I'd care!"

If she had died…if she had died and he hadn't known until it was too late…if he had lost her and didn't find out until she was far too gone…

If she had died all alone, with no one with her or to make her believe someone cared…

"I care," he repeated, hugging onto her tightly. "You know I do."

"You really are the best hero, Mirai," she muttered, clutching back onto him.

He grew a little flustered but refused to let go of her.

Started 4/19/23 – Completed 4/24/23