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It is actually Manami who proposes to him and not the other way around.
Danjuro knows how the conduct is supposed to go – he cultivated his persona of a gentleman thief as a villain in the past, so he had the finer intricacies of etiquette figured out, he thought. It had to be a special occasion, perhaps enhanced by a candlelit dinner and romantic music. The ring had to be presented in a small box upholstered with velvet. It needed a gem, but nothing too ostentatious. Zircon? Ruby? He’d be willing to shell out for the most expensive of the precious stones, but such a ring had to be a pleasant reminder, not a golden shackle.
Instead, Manami sheepishly offered him the box one Friday evening right after the movie they watched together finished. The two of them were fresh out of work. The reinstated Hero Commission had places for two ex-villains like them yet. She worked as a cybervillainy specialist, providing intel and leads on hackers prowling on the web. It took one to combat another. His work was a little more esoteric; a position of a “rescue procedures instructor”. The lofty name of his profession belied its actual meaning: to throw himself off various heights in increasingly outlandish ways for hero applicants to catch. His Quirk ensured he could bounce back, literally, from any danger, and provided just a little bit of that spice of excitement to color up what might have been a boring drill job instead.
There was something deeply ironic about all this; his path in life after all began after he tried to save a falling civilian.
It was an honest work, and it let them avoid public eye, for the most part. They made a humble living for themselves, just the two of them, unbothered by others. Sometimes, on worse days, some part of Danjuro longed for the simpler times, when he could be a Gentle Criminal once more. It’s been five years since he wore his dastardly villain costume. He put that life behind him, for Manami’s sake.
The two of them still wore eyeshadows, at least. Anything for her.
What Danjuro once feared – to be forgotten – could not happen with someone like her by his side. For all intents and purposes, the two of them were a couple, although not in any official capacity. The grand plans he weaved for just the right moment he always ended up shelving for another time. What if she was fine living just the way they were now? What if his bold proposal would scare her off instead? These thoughts plagued him now and then.
So to have an engagement ring just given after Casablanca took him in for a loop.
----
Manami had ideas for the ceremony.
It would be a quiet affair. The two of them had no family to invite – Danjuro did not keep in touch with his and so did she with hers – and only a few friends from work. At some point the two of them even entertained an entirely private outing with only the two of them and an official to pronounce them husband and wife, but what a dull ceremony that would be! They might have been nobodies, but that didn’t mean they couldn’t have their big moment!
L ittle by little, they compose a list of guests . A few of Manami’s colleagues from work, some of Danjuro’s, their old parole officer... After a moment of hesitation, Danjuro adds Hound Dog and Ectoplasm to the list. The two of them saw their duo at their lowest; what better way to show progress than to show them at their highest? It makes some sense to him.
When asked about the maid of honor, Manami picks one of her colleagues, the one she’s the closest with. Danjuro is ashamed to admit that he doesn’t recognize her. She then asks him about a best man in return. His brows furrow. He has an idea, but he’s not sure if it’s worth following. Manami doesn’t seem to mind, encouraging him to give it a shot.
In the end, still unsure why that was his first idea, Danjuro approaches the Takeshita Hero Agency’s owner. He storms out (well, exits as calmly as he can) a quarter later, not even able to ask the man that question. Instead Danjuro begins with “Sir, do you recognize me?”. Takeshita, of course, doesn’t. He tries prodding the hero’s memory a few times without giving himself out – but it just doesn’t take. Takeshita is a good man, Danjuro thinks, but he had a half mind to slug him right in that helpful face right before he left.
So he’s left without a best man, angry that he already came and ruined Manami’s plan. And yet, when he tells her this, she doesn’t seem discouraged still. She has her own idea, if Danjuro is willing to listen.
He almost chokes on his tea once she says her piece.
----
The sight of Deku Tower was bound to cow any foolhardy villain into rethinking their life choices. Danjuro could only be thankful he put that past behind him.
He first met the current Number One Hero when he was but a scrappy UA student, at the time best known for breaking his limbs on live television. The two of them had a brawl right by the UA grounds. Danjuro planned to break in, and Deku sought to stop him. Even with La Brava’s boost, he proved unable to defeat the boy. Five years later, that boy would become the new Symbol of Peace (even if he stressed that it was a joint work of all pros and all hopefuls in the business that made the Symbol instead).
Although he no longer wears the mantle of a gentleman thief, he can’t help but be nervous as he enters the lobby. The decor is fresh verdant, with plenty of greenery arranged into a park where civilians and pros can relax. A cafeteria there, a bookstore there, a few offices here and there… Deku Tower is as much a hero agency as it is a community center; a frequent place for meetings both casual and official. He isn’t the only hero occupying these grounds however; the tower houses quite a few others, both fresh faces and veterans.
Frankly, Danjuro is a little surprised to see how easy it is to access the top floor, the office of one Izuku Midoriya. He would have thought there would be just a bit more scrutiny in accessing the private space of Japan’s first pro. Then again, this was the same pro that defeated some of the Japan’s worst as a student. He fought off both All For One and his disciple, Tomura Shigaraki, before he became of drinking age. It was no wonder that he got this position, even at his young age.
The lobby for the guests takes most of the floor’s space. The actual office of Deku is a small, intimate affair; more akin to a modest attorney’s first lodgings than the office of Japan’s first pro. The secretary, a young man with a fish head, seems surprised to see Danjuro. Once the ex-villain explains why he arrived (citing it a private matter of great importance), the secretary sighs with relief and simply ushers him to the office.
Izuku Midoriya’s heroics were not kind for his body; at the same time, they hardened his spirit into something truly indomitable. He still looks as youthful as he did back when he was a student, though one of his eyes is discolored grey rather than vibrant green. So is his right arm gone, replaced with a shiny arm prosthetic (Danjuro recognizes it as state-of-the-art work of Hatsume-Shield Workshops). And yet, he almost jumps in his seat once the man enters the room, incredibly skittish for someone who could punch a hole through a mountain.
It doesn’t take long for Midoriya to recognize him. They shake hands, exchange pleasantries. Danjuro’s offered tea, although for all of Deku’s virtues, a fine taste is not one of them (Lipton, from a teabag?!) Some small talk. Apparently he was hiding in plain sight in Deku Tower, avoiding the influx of the paparazzi asking him about his alleged involvement with Uravity. Danjuro can only nod in understanding; he wouldn’t want people hounding him or Manami about their relationship.
Finally, Midoriya asks just what is the reason for Danjuro’s visit. The ex-villain takes a moment to voice himself, suddenly feeling very self-conscious about the idea. He’s not rushed, at least. He starts slowly, with the news of his upcoming marriage with Manami. Midoriya congratulates him with a bright smile. Danjuro goes for the metaphorical kill.
The smile stays on, but it’s obvious Midoriya is taken off-guard, even asking if Danjuro is absolutely sure and if he’s really a good choice for a best man. Danjuro, amused by the unflinching humility of Japan’s very first pro-hero claiming he’s not all that good for the position, can only reaffirm his statement. Most people would kill for such an honor.
The two of them exchange phone numbers. Danjuro leaves the Deku Tower in high spirits, with a lively spring in his step.
----
Finding a cozy locale for the ceremony proves easy enough, as does organizing the provisions. They even find a band willing to play for them.
The problems arise with the wedding suits. Danjuro doesn’t have much problems; the kind of suits fit for him are easily found in any second-hand store. It’s Manami who struggles this time; it’s no easy task to find ordinary clothes for her frame, let alone something as unique as a wedding dress. There is plenty of outfits for those with wings, tails, weird protrusions from their bodies – but a shorter stature still has Manami sheepishly shop in children’s segments for everyday clothes now and then.
Making a custom dress is an option, but a pricey one. Obviously, no cost should be too high for such a special day, but they have to be realists. The last thing they want is for this modest living of theirs to become threatened. Danjuro is at a loss – how could they circumvent this problem?
And then, when all seems lost, his eyes set on his old costume. It’s been five years since he last wore it. Back then, he wore it to the end of his legend, beaten down and defeated by Izuku Midoriya. His old life as Gentle Criminal ended; his new one as Danjuro Tobita began.
Perhaps… Gentle Criminal and La Brava can have one last heist before they retire for good.
----
Manami loves the idea. He can’t help but feel a little proud of himself.
He makes sure to familiarize his best man with the details. Midoriya was not the type to swing his fists without a reason, but it perhaps was better to be safe than sorry. The last thing he or his soon-to-be-wife (by gods, he’s got butterflies in his stomach like he’s eighteen again by just thinking about it!) want is for their wedding to turn into a brawl.
Soon enough the day comes, and with the scheduled hour. He stands there before the amused official, decked out in his outstanding outfit of a Gentle Criminal. The collar stands as tall as he does; some would consider it a comical sight, but he enjoys the flair – even if it makes it difficult to look behind his shoulder. The other guests unfamiliarized with the plan seem confused-to-wary (Midoriya and his plus one are quick to assuage both Ectoplasm and Hound Dog), but the mystery was one part of the draw, wasn’t it?
Once the wedding march – played from a borrowed CD player – finally resounds in the locale, he turns his head towards the entrance. He is struck with the beauty of the coming bride.
Because no matter the strange looks given by the invited guests not in the know, Manami fits her own villain outfit like a glove. About the only addition to it is a simple red veil to signify her as the bride. Normally such a woman would be accompanied by her father or, failing that, a brother or a friend as a pillar of support; La Brava needs no such things. She strides forward with a bouquet of roses, confidence hidden behind a radiant smile and the allure of the veil.
Danjuro Tobita is stricken beyond words.
Manami joins him on a little stool so that they can be closer on the level. The official wastes no time getting through the necessary preparations. The best man and the maid of honor are in the wings just a little in the back (although the latter is just a little distracted by a number one hero standing so close). On cue, Midoriya provides the rings.
They start off with taking each other’s right gloves. Perhaps it is a bit silly to not have accounted for that, but none rushes them. Even the few hushed whispers from earlier have abated by now. The rings are plain, perhaps at odds with their flamboyant getups. And yet, perhaps, that is the point of it. It seems their affection has captured everyone’s attention.
When all is said and done, they share a single kiss to an applause of the guests. The tall husband scoops his small wife from the stool into a bridal carry and walks forward, accompanied by encouragement. They are on the new road of life, and they shall go through it with gentle happiness.
Danjuro’s fear of obscurity is no longer a factor.