Chapter Text
Midoriya tried to ignore the crushing guilt he felt when he learned of Dazai’s attempt. He had been there before, back in middle school, feeling like his life was worthless no matter what. Feeling like no one would give a fuck if he died. Maybe they’d celebrate. He had forgotten his mom might care most of the time. He would always remember her when he tried to think of reasons to stay. It seemed like Dazai forgot Chuuya would give a fuck, that he would grieve instead of throwing a party. Once Midoriya noticed the similarities between Dazai and his middle school self, he couldn’t stop. His classmates and (with lots of self hatred born out of the brutal truth) himself had been isolating the former Port Mafia members, treating them like someone other. No, something other, like they weren’t just as human as the rest of them. He had resolved to himself that he would no longer do that. He would make an effort to know them, not as villains (he hates to admit that even though they aren’t in the mafia he can’t help but still think of them as such) but as his new classmates.
When Todoroki-kun and Shinsou had brought up the alienation in their discussion about how to treat them better after the attempt he couldn’t help but agree. When they had encouraged them to not forget but move past their crimes and had mentioned including them in more class activities to break down the “wall” as Todoroki-kun put it he couldn’t help but resolve to do just that.
-•-
Midoriya was sitting with Todoroki-kun in the library preparing for the upcoming English test. Midoriya is good enough at English because he picked up the basics in hopes that if his father called he could impress him (he never called but he wouldn’t have known that would be the case) to follow as many heroes as he can, including foreign heroes, but Todoroki-kun is better than him at it. The library was empty and volume wasn’t much of a concern on an early Saturday morning when most staff and students weren’t there to care but he and his friend still remained soft. A familiar voice cut through the quiet of the library.
“My dear slug, we both know you will fail Yamada sensei’s test if you don’t study,” Dazai said, a teasing smirk on his face.
Chuuya looked about ready to punch him, which wasn’t all that unusual. “I’ll do fine, asshole! We both know I understand it this time.” He seemed to contemplate his next words for a second before a cocky grin split his face, “I know your fluent ass will dumb it down on the test but I will do great! Top five!”
“Such bold claims, chibi~ I don’t know if you’ll be able to live up to them though.” Dazai gave him an impressive eye roll for only having one visible eye.
He debated cutting in for a second before he channeled his inner Kacchan and decided fuck it. “Dazai, you’re fluent in English?”
“Hmmm? Oh Midoriya! Why yes I am! Why do you ask?” He paused, considering him and Todoroki-kun, “Do you two need help like the Chibi here?” He was barely able to finish his question because he had to dodge a well aimed kick at his head from a fuming redhead.
Todoroki-kun gave a small nod, electing to ignore the acts of violence right in front of him. “We both understand for the most part but it wouldn’t hurt.”
This drew a heavy, clearly dramatized sigh from Dazai. Midoriya only had a moment to panic wondering if he and Todoroki-kun said something wrong before Dazai started speaking again. “See slug, they get it! Foreign language needs constant review, even if you knew it yesterday, you might not remember on Monday. Leading up to a long term mission where I was getting the favour and an alliance of a foreign organization it was beneficial that I was fluent. I had to be familiar with all sorts of wordplay and sneaky shit just in case they tried anything. I was in a new country trying to make a deal in a different language. I had to constantly refresh each aspect of English, that way nothing would get past me because I let a skill oxidize.”
Chuuya let out a groan but didn’t argue further as he took a seat across from Todoroki-kun. Dazai sat on Chuuya’s right, like usual.
“You were on a mission abroad? Why did you get chosen to if you didn’t know English before hand? Why didn’t Chuuya go with you? I’m not saying your incompetent or anything I just think that if you were making a deal you should’ve had back up right? Or did you? You might’ve not mentioned it because it wasn’t relevant. Wait- what was the mafia trying to gain with a foreign organization? Do-“
“Midoriya,” Todoroki cut in.
“Ah! Sorry, was I muttering? I’m so sorry if I overstepped!” He turned his panicked eyes to the pair across from him. To his relief Chuuya only looked mildly baffled and his gaze was directed at Dazai who looked amused if anything.
“Don’t worry about it Midoriya,” Dazai dismisses the last of his anxiety with a dismissive hand wave, “I went undercover because I was young enough to be a first year in a related school. I wasn’t widely known to be from the mafia. It was convenient,” he finished with a shrug. “As for why we wanted the alliance, I have no idea. We probably just wanted insurance that we wouldn't get taken by surprise if the organization ever decided to make a move that affected us. We kept the alliance for a few years before they fell apart,” Dazai thought for a moment before adding on “I only had other Port Mafia members with me briefly and only three of them. Oh! I also didn’t have a dog yet.”
When Midoriya glanced at Chuuya he had a contemplative look on his face as he regarded Dazai. His face practically screamed ‘I’ll let the bastard keep his secrets for now’ but Midoriya could tell with a glance at Todoroki-kun that the both of them hadn’t missed the concern on Chuuya’s face.
“Chibi as proud as I am that my slug can do basic math and estimation I think we should get on with studying,”
Chuuya visibly hesitated before relenting with a nod. No one else had any arguments even if they all had more questions. Without further ado, Dazai began going over the lesson (he wasn’t all that bad of a tutor even if he was a bit harsh).
-•-
Later that day Midoriya flipped to the back of one of his notebooks. He had written all he learned about the two ex-mafiosos and it seemed he had a new entry to make.
Dazai went undercover one time so he’s fluent in English. Nothing was really surprising except for the fact he went to form an alliance in a foreign country with a foreign language. That was logically explained away though. He also didn’t work with many mafiosos in that mission. Chuuya picked up on something having to do with math/estimation that had him concerned. I should look into that.
Satisfied for now, he set down his pen and started on his homework.