Chapter Text
Midoriya blinked slowly as a notification suddenly illuminated his computer screen in the dim light of his room. The message read, “Yūrei Tetsu, or should I say Midoriya Izuku? I request that you meet with me at U.A. High. Have fun~!” He stared at the message, his mind racing as uncertainty washed over him.
After a few seconds of contemplation, he hesitantly began to type a response. “Who are you? And how do you know who I am?” Once he hit the send button, a knot tightened in his stomach. Doubt and anxiety mingled within him as he stood and closed his laptop with a soft click. He made his way to his bedroom, methodically shedding his vigilante costume—something he had been doing for years—to expose the familiar sight of his casual clothing underneath.
“What if I really got caught? And who the hell sent that email?” he mused, the questions swirling in his mind like autumn leaves caught in a gust of wind. He trudged into the living room, an unconscious weight resting on his shoulders, before he flopped onto the couch, the cushions sinking under his weight as he grabbed the remote. Fidgeting, he flicked through the channels until a familiar voice broke through the noise.
“...called Yūrei Tetsu. If you know anything about their identity, please text or call ###.”
Midoriya hummed thoughtfully, eyebrows knitting together. “Well, that’s not going to help them,” he murmured. “It’s so bizarre to see my name on the news…” After a few moments spent curled up on the couch, he decided he needed a change of scenery. He pushed himself up, feeling the urge to shake off his unease.
In his room, he tugged on a black hoodie, its golden drawstrings glimmering in the soft light. He returned to the living room, pulling the hood over his unruly green curls. With a determined expression, he grabbed his phone and wallet before reaching for a small piece of paper. As he scrawled a note for his mother, he made sure to keep it casual: “Mom, I’m heading out for a run. Then, I’m heading to the shops. I’ll be back in a couple of hours. Love you.” Satisfied, he set the note on the coffee table, giving it a gentle nudge to make sure it wouldn’t fall.
With a small smile on his lips, he moved towards the door, kneeling down to slip on his signature red shoes. The frayed black 'Q' on the side of the left shoe stood out as he tied the laces with practiced ease. He stepped outside, feeling the fresh air envelop him as he made his way to the nearest train station.
Once he arrived, Midoriya scanned the stop list, relief washing over him as he noted that the train was scheduled to arrive shortly. He bought a ticket, the crinkle of cash and the faint beep of the ticket machine filling the air. Leaning against the wall, he let out a breath he didn’t know he was holding while waiting for the train.
After a few minutes, his phone buzzed in his pocket, pulling him from his thoughts.
-Pika_pika: “Are you on your way? I’m bored!”
A fond smile crept onto Midoriya’s face as he quickly typed back, “BB- Yeah! Just waiting on the train. It's going to take a bit when I get on it, though.” With a fleeting moment of curiosity, he sent another text: “BB- Also, why is my name BB?”
Moments later, his phone vibrated with a reply.
‘Pika_Pika- Because you’re Broccoli Boy. BB.’
Midoriya rolled his eyes playfully, chuckling softly to himself. “Whatever, Pikachu,” he texted back. “The train just got here, going dark for a minute.” He tucked his phone back into his pocket and boarded the nearly empty train, the soft hum of the engine filling the air around him.
As he settled into one of the seats, he took a moment to breathe deeply and pulled out his phone again, slipping in his earbuds. He leaned back, letting the music wash over him while occasionally checking the emptiness of the train compartment, which was almost serene in its solitude.
After about thirty minutes, the train began to slow down at his stop. Midoriya stood, gathering his belongings as he exited the train and stepped onto the platform. The crisp air greeted him, and he headed towards a semi-popular cat café nestled a short walk from the station.
As he entered the café, a familiar regal tuxedo cat approached him, strutting confidently towards him. “Ah, Noble, you look as majestic as ever,” he said, scooping up the cat and cradling him in his arms. Midoriya moved to one of the few empty tables by a window, the sunlight streaming in and casting warm golden rays across the surface.
Before he could settle in, a blonde boy with a distinctive black lightning bolt in his hair, wearing the café's branded uniform, plopped down into the seat across from him with all the energy of a summer storm.
“Hey, Midoriya! What do you want? Your normal?” Kaminari’s smile was bright, showcasing genuine enthusiasm.
Midoriya returned the smile, feeling comforted by the familiarity of his friend. “Yeah, Kaminari, my normal, please. And add a little extra foam this time,” he replied, his spirits lifting slightly in the cozy café atmosphere.
Kaminari's face brightens with a friendly smile. "Okay! I'll get that for you." He shifts closer to Midoriya, leaning in with enthusiasm. As he does, he reaches over to gently pet Noble, the sleek black cat that has made himself comfortable on Midoriya's lap. Noble's soft purring fills the air as the cat settles in deeper, enjoying the warmth.
"Thank you," Midoriya hums appreciatively, his fingers moving down to stroke Noble's fur, feeling the silky texture beneath his touch. After a few moments of shared tranquility, Kaminari rises from his seat, the sound of his chair softly scraping against the floor as he heads toward the back of the café. Midoriya glances up at the clock hanging on the wall, and a smile spreads across his face as he notices the time – 23:50. Just ten more minutes until Kaminari's shift comes to an end.
As Midoriya surveys the café, his gaze falls upon a homeless-looking man who walks in, his expression shifting to one of surprise at the sight of two teenagers occupying a corner booth so late at night. The man’s clothes are worn and outdated, and Midoriya quickly looks away, focusing on the cheerful sight of Kaminari returning with two steaming cups of hot cocoa.
Kaminari sets one cup down in front of Midoriya, a mischievous glint in his eyes. He leans in closer to whisper, "Here, save a seat for me," before delivering a playful wink and ruffling Midoriya's hair with his fingers, which softly comb through the unruly curls.
Midoriya beams in response, but playfully bats Kaminari's hand away, puffing his cheeks into a mock pout. "Hands off!" he exclaims, trying to sound stern but failing to suppress his smile.
Kaminari chuckles, a lighthearted sound that brightens the atmosphere even more, before stepping away, his energy palpable. With a playful huff, he says, "I'll be back when I’m done with my shift!" He struts off, a spring in his step, navigating the café with ease as he takes orders and distributes drinks and food to other patrons.
Left in his seat, Midoriya resumes petting Noble, who has nestled in comfortably on his lap. Moments later, an orange and cream tabby cat leaps onto his lap, purring loudly with delight. The tabby boldly headbutts Midoriya's hand, demanding attention, and he can’t help but chuckle as he stretches his fingers to scratch behind the tabby’s ears.
A few minutes pass in this cozy cocoon as Midoriya savors his hot cocoa, feeling its warmth seep into his hands. However, the tabby interrupts his moment of indulgence. With a loud meow, it tries to snag Midoriya’s hand, tugging at his fingers as if to draw him back into petting. When Noble suddenly jumps off his lap, padding away, Midoriya shakes his head fondly at the playful scene unfolding.
He takes a sip of his drink, the sweet chocolatey flavor warming him from the inside, before returning his attention to the tabby. As he continues petting the contented cat, he can’t help but glance around the café, observing the lively atmosphere and the different people sharing the space.
Then, suddenly, his phone vibrates in his pocket, breaking his moment of relaxation. Reluctantly, he stops caressing the tabby’s soft fur to reach for his phone, pulling it out to stare in shock at the unexpected message flashing on the screen.
An unknown number buzzed insistently on Midoriya's phone, its screen illuminating the dimly lit café with an eerie glow. A chill crept down his spine as he read the message that flashed across the display: "Really, Midoriya? Do you think you can just ignore me? Boo." The ominous words seemed to hang in the air like a dark cloud, making his stomach twist in unease. As he sat frozen for a moment, processing the unsettling text, he was jarred back to reality by the sound of someone clearing their throat just a few feet in front of him.
Hesitantly, Midoriya raised his gaze, and his heart plummeted at the sight before him. Standing there was an odd, humanoid figure that bore a striking resemblance to a rat. The short, furry figure had beady eyes that glinted with an air of mischief, and a knowing expression settled on its face. Recognition washed over him like a cold wave.
“You're the Principal,” he whispered, a mix of awe and horror creeping into his voice, his heart racing. There was no mistaking it; this was Mr. Nedzu, the unique and enigmatic principal of U.A. High School. “What are you doing here?” His voice trembled slightly as he took in the surreal situation.
Nedzu blinked slowly, almost theatrically, and the corners of his mouth curved into an enigmatic smile that didn't reach his eyes. “What am I doing here? Oh, you were supposed to meet me at U.A.,” he replied in a casual tone, his voice smooth and unhurried. “But it seems you decided to ghost me, Yūrei.” The nickname rolled off his tongue with a teasing lilt, making the atmosphere feel even more charged.
Midoriya’s eyes darted nervously around the crowded café, where the aroma of freshly brewed coffee mingled with the chatter of unsuspecting patrons. A surge of panic gripped him as he realized how conspicuous their conversation was becoming. “We can’t talk about this here!” he hissed, his mind racing. He could feel the curious glances of nearby customers, their ears sharp for any hint of drama.
Nedzu, however, seemed unfazed, his small stature and whimsical nature giving him an air of nonchalance. He tilted his head slightly, his smile widening mischievously. “Oh~, I didn't want to, but you've left me with no choice, haven’t you?” His tone was teasing, almost playful, as if this encounter were a game rather than a serious matter.
Shifting uncomfortably in his chair, Midoriya shot a glance at the clock on the wall. The ticking echoed loudly in his ears. “Fine. I’ll discuss whatever you want tomorrow, but my friend is arriving any minute now,” he replied, forcing his voice to sound steadier than the chaos swirling within him.
“Good. I’m glad you see it my way.” Nedzu's smile remained, radiating that same mix of mischief and understanding that both intrigued and unsettled Midoriya. As he stood up, the small chair scraped loudly against the polished floor, amplifying the tension in the air. With a final nod, he made his exit, leaving behind an atmosphere thick with unspoken words and apprehension.
Moments later, Kaminari sauntered over, a lively presence against the hushed energy of the café. He eyed the now vacant seat with an incredulous expression, his brows furrowing deeply. “Was that Nedzu? THE Nedzu?” he exclaimed, disbelief painting his features as he leaned closer, lowering his voice conspiratorially.
Midoriya shrugged, attempting to appear unfazed despite the tumult of thoughts racing through his mind. “Yeah, he wanted to talk to me about something,” he replied, trying to play it cool as the memory of Nedzu’s intense gaze lingered.
Kaminari frowned, confusion etching itself onto his face. “And you think that’s normal?!” His voice rose slightly, incredulity coloring his tone.
“Not really?” Midoriya admitted his unease bubbling to the surface as he processed the implications of that brief encounter.
Kaminari continued to stare at him for several seconds, the shock evident on his face as he tried to wrap his mind around what had just occurred. Finally, with a resigned sigh, he plopped down into the chair with exaggerated exasperation. “You're weird, dude,” he said, shaking his head as if he were marveling at how his friend's life always seemed to invite the extraordinary. He took a sip of his now cold hot chocolate, the warmth of the drink a stark contrast to the chill of the encounter he had just witnessed.
"You don't know the half of it." Midoriya shakes his head, and Kaminari chuckles.
“I’m sure I don’t,” Kaminari replied with a hint of uncertainty in his voice. “And I’m not sure I want to.” The two continued their animated conversation, laughter mingling with the ambient sounds of the café, blissfully unaware of the time slipping by. It wasn't until Kaminari felt the chill of the late-night air creeping in through the window that he glanced at the clock and realized it was well past one in the morning. A frustrated huff escaped him as he reluctantly pushed himself up from the cozy booth. “I guess I have to be heading home. You should, too,” he added, glancing at Midoriya with a lopsided smile.
Midoriya mirrored his friend’s movement, rising to his feet. “Yeah. See you tomorrow?” he asked, his voice carrying a note of hopefulness.
Kaminari’s face lit up with enthusiasm. “Of course!” He strode over and enveloped Midoriya in a brief but warm hug, the familiar embrace filled with camaraderie and unspoken understanding. After releasing him, Kaminari made his way to the door, the bell chiming softly overhead as he stepped outside.
Midoriya stood still for a moment, watching his friend leave, a smile spreading across his face despite the quiet of the café. He shook his head fondly at the spontaneity of the evening. Turning back to the counter, he paid for his drink, mentally acknowledging that Kaminari had already taken care of his tab earlier.
As he exited the café, he was reminded that the last train had already departed at midnight, so he decided to walk the familiar route back home. Pulling out his phone, he glanced at the screen and noted the time—01:09. ‘I lost track of time in there,’ he thought to himself, an amused smirk creeping onto his lips.
He resumed his stroll toward his apartment, the cool air brushing against his skin. After a few moments, he decided to slip one of his earbuds into his ear, selecting an old English song—"Dragula" by Rob Zombie. As the music started to play, he let the rhythm guide him, matching his steps to the driving beat. He hummed along quietly at first, the music igniting a familiar sense of adrenaline.
After about 15 minutes of running, his phone buzzed insistently in his back pocket. Slowing his pace to a gentle jog, he reached behind to retrieve it. The moment he saw his mother’s name flashing across the screen, a wave of annoyance washed over him. “Fuck,” he muttered under his breath, irritation lacing his words. “What does she want?” He hesitated, contemplating whether to answer or let it go to voicemail, a typical debate in his mind whenever her calls interrupted his solitude.