Chapter Text
“Rody Soul?”
“Yessir.”
“And you come from Otheon.”
“Yessir, I do.”
“Say, you were helping All Might with the mission back at Humarise, weren’t you?”
“Who-? Eh, I mean, yeah. Deku and his crew.”
Principal Nezu rustled through some papers.
“You say you have…an extensive criminal record.”
Rody snorted, leaning back in his chair.
“That’s only for the stuff I admitted to.”
The little white rat man stared at him.
“Haha. Kidding. What I mean is I’ve admitted to all that, on my own. I was never caught, I just wanted to take responsibility for my mistakes.”
Rody put a self-righteous hand to his chest.
“I’ve changed now. I’ve been inspired to do better in the world. Heroes have taught me that. I’ve turned over a new leaf, sir.”
Was that the truth? Yes. Was he also lying? Yes. Old habits die hard, and Rody still finds himself sneaking his gloved fingers into someone’s pockets as he bumps into them. At least now, he returns them.
Usually.
Sometimes.
Principal Nezu sighed.
“U.A usually allows guests based on honor code. We recently let in a younger boy to see Bakugo, who I believe you’re familiar with. However, it was a different case. He did not have…” Principal Nezu squints at a document. “Eh, ‘Assault and Battery,’ ‘Armed Robbery,’ ‘Contraband Trafficking,’ ‘Resisting Arrest,’ and ‘Reckless Driving’ as defining features of his legal status. Might I add, he was 11 years old.”
Rody’s shoulders drooped.
“So…does this mean I can’t come in?”
Principal Nezu gave a half-hearted smirk.
“Due to your record and fact you’re not a legal citizen of Japan, you’ll be allowed in with supervision. I believe you when you say you’re not here to cause trouble.”
Rody leaned forward, shushing Pino. She was furiously squawking in his pocket in outrage.
“What kind of supervision…?” He grimaced.
Nezu tapped the papers on his desk to straighten them out.
“A student of the school, if it’s alright with you. Since you’re already close, you can be with Midoriya. He’s a model student and I trust him to keep you in check. Of course, you seem like a reasonable young man. Please stay safe and enjoy your time here. You’re welcome to stay as long as you like.”
Rody’s day could hardly get better.
“Thank you, sir.” He grinned, shushing Pino with his finger once more. Her squawks had become trills of delight. He was going to see Deku again.
“Yo, Midoriya! Mr. Aizawa says there’s a visitor to see you!” Sero yelled across the commons. Midoriya was sitting on the couch on his phone when he looked up. His eyebrows furrowed. He wasn’t exactly a famous figure to warrant any visitors. Was it his mom?
“I’m coming!” He said, rushing to answer the mystery guest. He opened the door, expecting his mother.
“Heya.” A flat, collected voice greeted. Rody was leaning against the doorframe and gave a smug wave. “Long time no see, hero.”
Midoriya’s face lit up like a firework.
“Rody!” He beamed, bouncing on his toes like he could hardly believe it. “Wha, huh- what?! Whah, how’d you get here?! When’d you get here?! Why’d you get here?!”
“Yeah, yeah.” Rody shrugged. “No autographs today, sorry. I just happened to win another trip to Japan.” He grinned, flapping a white airport ticket up.
Midoriya was so pleased he didn’t question it.
”No Roro and Lala today?” Midoriya glanced around at Rody’s legs, as if expecting two small children to pop up behind them.
”Nah, just me this time. Hope you’re not too disappointed.” Rody skipped off the doorframe, walking around the commons. “Nice place you kids got here.” He commented, looking up at the high ceiling with a bit of a sneer. “Spoi~led.” He sang.
”Midoriya.” Mr. Aizawa called, waving his hand. “This boy has a… bit of a record on him. You need to keep an eye on him, understand? Make sure he won’t cause any trouble.” Midoriya nodded rapidly, his head bobbing.
“Yessir!” He blurted. “I promise I will!”
Shoji, Jiro, and Kirishima recognized him at once.
“You’re Deku’s friend! Do you remember us from when you visited last time with your siblings?” Kirishima bounded over with a sharky grin. Shoji nodded silently.
”Your goggles are looking sharp.” Jiro smirked, raising her hand up for a fistbump.
Rody stared at her hand for a while before obliging and putting his hand quickly back into his jacket pocket.
”Oh, yeah. Thanks.” He turned over his shoulder to see Midoriya talking with the black-clad teacher.
”Hey, hero. You’re not gonna give me a little house tour, or what?”
Midoriya whipped around. “Ah, right!” He hopped over.
“Say,” Midoriya blinked, tilting his head. He circled around Rody for a moment, scanning his outfit for any signs of a pink bird. "Where's Pino?"
Rody’s face soured. “She’s in my pocket, but I don’t want her coming out. She’s a little, eh…” Rody tried to spin a lie quick enough. “…Aggressive right now. She’s not happy that I have to be babysat by a little kid.” He rolled his eyes and nudged Midoriya in the ribs. As if on cue, Pino gave an excited caw from Rody’s pocket, fluttering around rapidly in search of an escape.
Was that Deku’s voice? Deku was here! She wanted to see Deku. She missed him! Deku was always so nice, she wanted to curl on his shoulder and hang out with him all day. Rody was being so mean. She struggled furiously in his coat.
Midoriya’s face dropped slightly.
”Is she really that upset…?”
”Yes. You suck. Let’s go.”
Mina Ashido shot up from the couch to see the newcomer.
“Ooh, who’s this hottie? A foreign boy? Sick!” She jumped in excitement to look at Rody. “Your hair is so long and silky! What conditioner do you use? Oh, hey! What’s your quirk? How do you know Japanese? Why’s your clothes patched up? You’re so pretty, you look like a girl!” Mina slung her arm over Rody’s shoulder, pressing their faces next to each other.
”Kaminari! Who’s a prettier girl, me or him?”
”You’re both ugly!” Kaminari groaned.
”Jerk!” She whined, stomping her foot.
Rody slipped out of her grasp awkwardly.
“Thanks, I don’t use any, it’s a secret, I learned quick, it’s a fashion statement, and thanks, I think.” Rody muttered, dusting off his clothes. She seemed nice, Rody just wasn’t a fan of touching from people he didn’t really know. Or anybody, really. Rody might give his siblings a kiss on the forehead or a hug before they left for school, but that was because he loved them and would die for them. Rody didn’t have a lot of friends to be physically affectionate with, nor did he care for any. Affection in general wasn’t something Rody was used to giving or receiving.
”Hey, Rody. I’ve been wondering how we’re able to talk to each other if you’re from Otheon which is in Europe and I’m from Japan?” Kirishima chewed his fingernail and blinked quizzically.
“Lazy writing from the fic author. Don’t worry about it.”
“Oh, okay.” He took this answer immediately with a nod.
Midoriya tapped Rody on the shoulder.
”Tour time, right?”
Rody flinched from the contact instinctively but relaxed when he saw Midoriya.
”Oh, uh, yeah.”
The school was big. He could tell it was big when he was outside the gates, but Rody had never been in such a huge complex before. Midoriya skirted through the halls like he was on a rail, blabbing about heroes and All Might. Rody was half-listening. He had no love or interest in heroes in the slightest, but he wanted to at least give some of his attention to Midoriya. It was nice to hear his voice.
“You came at a perfect time! We’re going to get lunch. You should come with us.” Midoriya walked backwards as he spoke to Rody.
”I, uh…” Rody looked down at his shoes. “I don’t have any lunch money.” Rody didn’t have the heart to tell him he was fine with digging through someone else’s leftovers in the trash. Rody wasn’t as impoverished as he acted, but there was a surprising amount of food thrown away. It made him a little upset. Plus, saving a euro or two was more money for Roro and Lala’s college.
”It’s part of my tuition, we can share.” Midoriya offered.
Rody grinned. “I’ll be taking advantage of free food.” He hummed, following Midoriya. Pino had finally calmed down from her ecstasy frenzy of seeing Midoriya again and Rody let her out of his trenchcoat. Maybe a little too soon, though. She immediately darted to Midoriya, nuzzling him affectionately as she cooed.
”Pino! There you are!” Midoriya laughed upon seeing the bird, rubbing her soft head with his finger. “You’re taking care of Rody?” Pino gave a gleeful chirp and rubbed her beak against his hand.
”She’s all over you, ha.” Rody scoffed. “Leave him alone, Pino.” He waved a gloved hand to signal for Pino to come back. She fluttered over to his shoulder, nestled in his jacket collar as she stared adoringly at Midoriya. Midoriya stared back for a moment, then smiled gently.
“It looks like she’s excited to see me.”
“Tch.” Rody clicked his tongue. “Can we just get food now?” He sighed, headbutting Midoriya on the shoulder. “I’ve had a long-ass trip and I’m hungry.” They made their way to the cafeteria. It was cluttered with students and they chattered with each other loudly.
“Here we are. Hey, sit down.” Midoriya patted a seat by a lunch table to get Rody to sit. “I’ll get food for us. Be right back.” He trotted off to the lunch line.
“Pree…” Pino gave a quiet whine as she watched him walk away.
Rody sighed, scratching the back of his neck and immediately got up to follow him.
Midoriya paused with surprise upon seeing Rody.
“Hey, don’t you wanna sit down? You don’t have to-” He started.
“I don’t trust you enough to pick my food for me.” Rody smirked. He pretended not to notice Pino making a beeline for Midoriya and snuggling into his thick hair like a nest. Whether or not Midoriya noticed, he didn’t say anything. Rody picked out his lunch, a simple fish over rice with seaweed on the side. He didn’t really care what he ate, he just got the same thing as Midoriya. He nibbled at his food with a fork, watching Midoriya use his chopsticks.
“It’s not bad, I guess. I could probably do better at home.” Rody drawled and gave a few grains of rice for her to peck at. She ate it gratefully.
Midoriya leaned forward, his face resting on his hand as he ate.
“Whatcha come visit for, anyway? Interested in hero work?” Midoriya joked.
Rody chewed his food thoughtfully with a slight frown.
“Maybe.”
That took Midoriya aback slightly. Rody was as interested in heroes as dirt, last time he checked. Midoriya leaned forward further, his hand slipping from his face as he stared. Rody tilted back slightly, a little uncomfortable with the proximity.
“Really? I thought you hated heroes!”
“I never hated them!” Rody protested. “I just never cared that much. But I mean…” Rody scratched his nose, his gloved hand covering his embarrassed smile.
“They’re not all that bad. Some of them are pretty cool. I might even be a fan.”
Midoriya did an inner fist pump. Yes! Another hero fan to yap to! If Rody would listen, he could rant about All Might to him tomorrow.
“That’s a nice thing to hear. What’s with this revelation of yours?”
Rody shrugged as he finished his food, pushing the tray away from him and standing up. He scratched the back of his neck, facing away as he tapped his foot.
”Uh, I guess…” Rody turned, giving Midoriya a teasing smile. “Something changed my mind recently?”
He hummed to himself as he walked away, his hands in his pockets.
”H-huh? What changed your mind? Hey, tell me!” Midoriya blurted, running after him.
”Oh, All Might.” Rody hesitated, accidentally bumping into a thin, frail man. His stringy yellow hair fell by his chin, his sharp jawline looking like he mewed professionally.
”Er, hello, sir.” He bowed deeply. Shit, how deep are you supposed to bow in Japan? Was it lower because he was a hero and a celebrity? Maybe he should get on his knees and slam his forehead into the ground.
“It’s nice to meet you here.” Rody said as politely as he could. He wasn’t exactly dressed to meet a world-famous hero. Rody’s eyes focused on his shoes. They were scuffed and held together with a ribbon of fabric. His shirt and pants had patches on them. Damn, were his sleeves always that tattered? He tugged self-consciously at his coat as if willing it to mend itself.
All Might’s electric blue eyes scanned Rody. Less his outfit, more his mannerisms. It was clear this boy wasn’t as confident as he pretended to be.
“You know what would be fun? Why don’t you let Young Mr. Soul borrow a spare uniform? Then you two can match. It’d be a good look on him.” All Might proposed.
Rody’s face flushed. “I’m not wearing some rich kid clothes.” He sputtered. But before he knew it, he comes out of the bathroom stall with his coat and outfit in his arms, a crisp school uniform on him. He tugged at his collar, his tie loose around his neck and not properly tied.
“This is stupid.” Rody protested and straightened his blazer. He’d never worn anything so expensive in his life. These clothes alone probably cost about as much as a few days of groceries. Pino circled his head excitedly. He looked like a pilot in that uniform. Rody turned to the mirror. His hair was tied up well today. He tucked in the white collared shirt and ran his finger on the collar of his jacket. The dark teal stripes and golden buttons of the jacket really made him look like a pilot. He stood up a little straighter, looking at himself in the mirror.
“This is your captain speaking.” He whispered to himself to test the words on his tongue. “Flight check, testing, testing.” He ran his hand through his hair, his touch lingering on the goggles on his hair. It would be nice to have his hands on a control panel again one day.
“Rody?” Midoriya poked his head into the bathroom.
“GAH-!” Rody shrieked, jumping. He brushed off his clothes furiously. “I’m dressed, I’m dressed. I’m coming out now.” Racing out of the bathroom, he poked Midoriya in the face. “Well? How do I look, hero?” He quipped as he tugged on his blazer like a model, striking a pose.
“You look amazing. It makes you look like a pilot.” Midoriya responded with a warm smile.
Rody’s hands lowered. He wasn’t really expecting such a genuine response.
“Ah, um…” He faltered. He wished he had his gloves on. His face cupped over his mouth like he was holding in a cough as he looked away.
“Thanks, I guess.” Rody mumbled. His hands weren’t big enough to cover the flustered smile, and Midoriya saw a hint of it through his fingers. He decided not to tease Rody about it.