Izuku: ‘When did Fubuki get so good at this?’
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUfu14woXAD
Another day and another day of internships. Alice was out patrolling with the Blizzard Group, and Karou was saddled onto Tatsumaki again.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQhVaFjjdn8
That left Izuku to continue improving his mental abilities. But at this point, it felt like torture.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2zK5CNEkql
Fubuki: “Thinking of a brick wall is not going to work this time. You’re really thinking of… a white and red bikini?”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkicFoOqbyF
It took all his strength to not think about last night with Kiri or his relationship with Momo. God knows he doesn’t need that complication right now. But he couldn’t help if some stuff slipped through the cracks.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdcuOTzRPkq
Izuku: “C-C-Can we move on to another exercise? Please?”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqtGj3xNaTt
Fubuki: “Hmmmmm…”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbuSwHze7bT
The two of them are on the roof again, sitting down in a meditative state. After asking his question, Fubuki got up and went to the edge and looked down.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsx3mQVu76O
Fubuki: “Okay, this may be more helpful anyway. Come here.”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ry0t2UpO8
Izuku does so and stands next to Fubuki, looking down at the city below. It’s a pretty impressive sight now that he thinks about it.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Zd6SFnoKW
Fubuki: “Izuku, give me your professional opinion. What do you think is possible with our quirk when it comes to mental abilities?”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2WPnD2pJTZ
Izuku: “Aside from mind reading and… mental commands, I don’t know… ”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUWygRk5BkN
Fubuki glances at him and notices the building tension.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIrcokmtZuA
Fubuki: “That’s fine, we can just focus on mind reading and defense. Anything else is unnecessary, alright?”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnn9Z6rvnqx
Izuku: “Y-Yes.”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFMja3OpdOL
Fubuki: “Good. Now close your eyes and try to read the minds of the people in this building. Start with one and then try to read multiple minds at the same time.”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5uDdxPbKxf
Izuku: “… Huh?”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ5LcdHDGW6
Fubuki: “That’s not too hard, right?”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB2Qrmz2c2Y
Izuku: “I never did something that large! And multiple minds at the same time? Have you done that?”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKIi98FLHg2
Fubuki: “Occasionally, it’s hard but doable.”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVwC3V71H37
Izuku: “That’s amazing! You must have talent for this.”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyXOn4EnvPd
She scoffs. She’s not the one with talent.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSoYb5CVN2W
Fubuki: “Don’t flatter me, Izuku. I know you or Tatsu will do far better than me.”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRjN3y4QRQC
Izuku: “You give yourself too little credit. This could be what you’re good at.”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0J6JmylXrT
The middle child turns away and wishes she could believe his words. But Fubuki doesn’t want to be disappointed.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7D74xrKI8P
Fubuki: “Just start already.”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl3I3mhOtHq
Izuku: “Right!”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwWOv5D0R55
The boy closes his eyes and attempts to stretch his senses out. Similar to how he stretches out his senses to use telekinesis or teleportation, he feels around for someone to read.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt9f3x137E7
In his mind’s eye, people feel like small lights within a black sea. In that sea, each object is outlined with a soft white line. It’s like a whole other world when he does this.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhvTIjroPcA
That sense of freedom, of having a quirk as amazing as this, the things he can do. As he stretches further, sensing more, the more his mind flutters through the possibilities once locked off.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBY3eKtmDTu
He wants to use his quirk more. He wants to grow stronger, to indulge in this freedom, and to take what was denied to him. To punish those who-
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaNN7klNp4g
Izuku: ‘No…’
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNBqbuKvvFY
The space shrinks as his more ugly desires are repressed once more.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡclu4PKlkee
Izuku: ‘That’s not me.’
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKk0FOV7Omw
Izuku: ‘But isn’t it? Good and bad, it’s all the same. It can’t be good to repress myself. I’ll become weaker.’
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMYa1ev5Ys
Izuku: ‘… That’s fine.’
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwStEEqXoAY
He can’t give in to that part of himself, not again. He knows the consequences. So, he’ll compensate with something else.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcgKXtPlttS
His martial ability, perhaps?
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmfG5p1R7kD
Izuku: ‘Should I call Kiri to help teach me? No, maybe Yaoyorozu. I haven’t used my psi-sword in a while, and she’s better with weapons.’
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJsUWMV8OV
It’s then that he noticed the slight shaking. The boy opens his eyes and sees Fubuki shaking him.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ10Q07279un
Fubuki: “Are you okay?! You’ve been standing there for 30 minutes, barely breathing.”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4opwpqZghz
Izuku: “I-I was?”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOnQcMwjmIH
Fubuki: “Yeah, I didn’t expect you to become so immersed. What happened?”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWb9yVSU4DG
Izuku: “I was… just exploring the building. I couldn’t read anyone’s mind, though.”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTb2YJqcyMY
Fubuki: “I… see. I didn’t expect that. You were able to read your classmate’s mind just fine though.”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvWIIUcmQGk
Izuku: “Maybe I can only do it with people I know or have a connection with.”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF4OJzlXqgW
Fubuki: “Maybe… ”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtmKj6YvgtF
She hated how that nearly made her smile. The woman swallowed that feeling. She knows she can be jealous, but she won’t let that stop her from helping her brother.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDe25AQphNC
She knows he can do better.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzyXe4PvZAr
Fubuki: “Want to keep at it or try reading my mind again?”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt3kR1LpLDQ
Izuku: “No, I tried that already. If you don’t want me to know what you’re thinking, I have no chance. Your defenses are too strong.”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBehj8jVed6
Fubuki: “Flattery won’t get you out of training. Come on, let’s try again.”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ7nDCzOfLu
Accepting his fate, he goes back to their mediating spot and tries to read Fubuki’s mind.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnCxi98dRnR
Izuku: “I guess I’ll call her later.”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvE1bIs8Uyu
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsYKLVGEEOT
Dark Shadow: “Fumikage! I’m dying over here!”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgaUyhEMpCZ
Tokoyami: “You can handle it.”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtVoWiCITiv
Another day straining to keep Dark Shadow under the harshness of the sun constantly. The boy has never had to keep Shadow active this long before. It’s usually only been a max of 30 minutes, but at this points it has been hours.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDFMRmKMKTF
Kiri: “Fight on. You’re getting stronger.”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlIdRrAcxbh
Dark Shadow: “I-I am?”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZsJj58WjFu
Kiri: “Nh. Bigger.”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKA82UsZJz3
Dark Shadow: “Really?! And I’m not going out of control! Yosh! Let’s keep it up, partner.”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6SL47DLNgg
Tokoyami: “Right.”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ11tSQooLVw
It does help that Tae is here; Dark Shadow and her have formed a quick connection that’s hard to explain. But at least it helps keep Dark Shadow happy and motivated during the patrol. Speaking of…
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsWfBjwaai6
Tokoyami: “Silent.”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7kZyJJs70d
Kiri: “Nh. Boring, but strangely peaceful. Udders lucky.”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAkov7IcnQY
Dark Shadow: “You really should pick a different name.”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLr3hQSVYyv
Kiri: “No, I don’t think I will.”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJWgGM6NDDw
Tokoyami: “I doubt she’s enjoying being taught pressure points.”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBlHCsB0SaE
Dark Shadow: “Yeah, by being disabled herself first. Brutal!”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIr4HsJlOyj
Kiri: “I wish I could watch.”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjwTYEgIIk9
Tokoyami: “I understand why, but is that enough of a reason to trust us to patrol by ourselves?”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSXngyzG99Z
Kiri: “Can’t always baby us. You did it yesterday.”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwbeJNjHhv4
Tokoyami: “I suppose.”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbdOsj9u3AT
Still, the boy can’t help but feel this is a waste of time. While Tae learns grappling and Yaoyorozu learns the fundamentals of the ninja arts, he is stuck patrolling. Is he really getting stronger?
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLc6PaYUKvJ
Sensing his frustration, Kiri stops Tokoyami by touching his shoulder.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLDGDRmoDHC
Tokoyami: “Hm?”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwtnwvIppcM
Kiri: “Want to spar? That way you can see the effects of the training?”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGRSvALbMm6
Dark Shadow: “Great idea!”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqpPEqR6eEQ
Tokoyami: “Where shall we do battle?”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZWMY5K5Wd
Kiri: “An alley. Less people and more darkness.”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN9Ot136iP6
Tokoyami: “… Very well. Lead the way.”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIqtvHL1pgl
Kiri nods and walks ahead while looking for an open alleyway. Finding a suitable one, she turns the corner and enters the darker side of the city. As the shadows envelop Tokoyami, Dark Shadow surges with additional strength. Not enough to go berserk, but it is a notable increase.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsabVawfy2z
Once they walked far enough in, Kiri turned around and took a battle stance. However, Tokoyami took a look at the surroundings and saw how narrow it was.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdkPpvwkbi8
Tokoyami: “You’re at a disadvantage here.”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQeB0pBiE7a
Kiri: “Good training conditions. Come.”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxpCAxwiAa4
Tokoyami: “Very well. Dark Shadow!”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ePpcTnrvs
Dark Shadow: “Right!”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJprbySh5Bv
The living shadow charged at Kiri with ferocious strength. With little room to dodge, Kiri brought her arms up and took the downward claw swipe.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoBxiWupw8p
Both of them were surprised by the strength of the blow. Kiri was brought to a knee while the ground beneath buckled and cracked.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNvR7Hd8hpZ
Kiri: “S-See? Strong.”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYCrXYoCJEO
Dark Shadow: “Ha!”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs8obCABf2y
Kiri: “But too basic.”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQtkdg5Ot2b
Surging with her own strength, Kiri pushed Dark Shadow off and delivered a straight punch to his head, knocking him back some ways.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ13Av5JEo5I
He tries to retaliate with a side swipe that’s strong enough to scrape off some of the concrete. But Kiri simply jumps up and delivers an axe kick to Dark Shadow.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK6apd3bNxI
Kiri: “Predictable.”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhak8s7EqYc
Using his head as a platform, she jumps again and lands on the shadowy umbilical cord. Using her quirk, she grinds on it until she reaches Tokoyami.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjuul6aXGzX
Situations reversed, Tokoyami is now the one who has to hold his arms up to block a strike from Kiri. But it had little force behind it.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXk2jycykwF
Kiri: “Fast and mobile opponents can get past Dark Shadow.”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV1Z8K3DQAX
Tokoyami: “That’s why I wanted to improve my own skills.”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBCio2eKuOe
Kiri: “Understandable. But even with training, you won’t match up with people like me or Bomb Boy.”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIf6TmtAYWJ
She does a backflip and lands around where she started.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyEsJKihf53
Kiri: “So, Dark Shadow, you are the key?”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYSPZwzLNSl
Dark Shadow: “Huh?”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGHK3LRf6Vz
Kiri: ‘Unlike me or Kadabra, Dark Shadow seems more malleable. I can only change my size, not my shape or stretch like that. So that means-’
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJverNWy1Fx
Kiri: “You are a shadow; fight like one.”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6PDToXri20
It didn’t take long for Tokoyami to understand exactly what she’s implying. It’s not like he hasn’t thought about such things before. But as Dark Shadow grew into his current form, he didn’t think it was possible to do those things anymore.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbVaYvkY0xy
Quirks didn’t change so heavily like that. They usually have one form and general usage; that’s it. Dark Shadow seemed set. But perhaps its time to test that preconceived notion, and try out some ideas he had as a child.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN5DokEnBdU
Tokoyami: “Dark Shadow!”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFmtMqlI1vX
Dark Shadow: “Heh. Right!”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9yH3nhzVAx
The shadow shrinks ever so slightly and rushes Kiri. His attacks aren’t as heavy, but they’re faster. Not fast enough to catch the girl off guard, but enough to prevent further dodging.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY3UrSewxEl
The first method of fighting like a shadow is unpredictable movement. He already did this with attacking from different angles, but now, as the fight goes on, it gets crazier.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ36kdDYYMyU
Kiri is forced to block attacks from nearly every angle as Dark Shadow bends its body every which way. But more than that, she can feel something else from her fellow mental construct.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR3TU7hiJlY
Its body is shaking.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfk2iirhQyK
Tokoyami: “Now!”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKnS7q6F1Lk
As Kiri stops a suddenly large claw swipe that pushes her a few feet closer to the wall, she feels it. The girl smiles at the loss.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkPFpfIyZ9t
Kiri: “Nice job, Dark Shadow.”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiBJf1FsY9E
The screen zooms out to show Dark Shadow’s other claw. Each pointed tip was stretched and sharpened to a razor’s edge. Five shadow blades were surrounding her, ready to pierce the body clean through.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBPVreJPj2D
In her current form, she would not be able to block them all.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7GKYGNoVtr
Tokoyami: “A-Abyssal… Needles.”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgCK1ltJmSW
Despite the increased strength thanks to the training, this was still too draining. Tokoyami fell on one knee while Dark Shadow rapidly shrunk.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYbOWsb1YZb
Kiri put down her guard and sat down next to Tokoyami, who was catching his breath.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFR5BDF78jA
Kiri: “Okay?”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt6dfUMriMx
Tokoyami: “Yes. Thank you. It seems you have also seen the darkness of the abyss.”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdcGKIXF7Lb
The girl tilts her head at that.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr5BiTbzgnA
Kiri: “Yes?”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0x7lfMrW5g
Dark Shadow: “I don’t think she gets it.”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNEcFBMMl3p
Tokoyami: “No matter. You have broadened my horizons.”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ804nLVCLEc
Kiri: “You would have thought something eventually. I just have a… way with beings like Dark Shadow.”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzz9eToYseu
She says, while giving the shadow a loving head pat that he gladly receives.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO5GVi1sWeV
Tokoyami: “Yes, I do wonder why.”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOzPmyQXwrd
Dark Shadow: “I don’t get it either. She feels like a… I don’t know… a relative? Sort of like that Kadabra guy.”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡluXQuHIINU
Tokoyami: “Hmmmmm… ”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa4yXSDfLQc
Kiri looks at the ground and accepts that there will be someone else who knows what she is. Probably will help bring up her pressing question.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQfTlmG0x3t
Kiri: “The reason is… well… I’m just like you.”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi5wBp8sAbu
Dark Shadow: “Huh? What do you mean?”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwzzmbYkOGB
Tokoyami: “I see…”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJt6O0JEJa
Dark Shadow: “You do?!”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTe67RcArk6
Tokoyami: “You’re Midoriya’s shadow?”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxpX4mAvJYm
Kiri nods.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj5U7KPtj0S
Dark Shadow: “EEEHH!?”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4HcmeTQtvE
Tokoyami: “You always felt different from the rest of us. But why does Midoriya hide this and enroll you at U.A?”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ04pWtwyRrx
Kiri: “Because… we’re family. I’m not just a mental projection or construct. Don’t you feel the same about Dark Shadow?”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJstqZv2Cu
The two look at each other, and they don’t know how to answer. Are they family? Or are they just the protector and the protected?
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9uCPjN5Y3t
Dark Shadow: “Well, I can confidently say that I’m Fumikage’s one and only partner. Might as well be family too, I guess.”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWBduLntqno
Tokoyami: “Dark Shadow… ”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOqn0Xr0XV1
Kiri: “Can you confidently say that?”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZGKWx1yl1X
Dark Shadow: “Huh? What do you-”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6JtGDE1vwH
Kiri: “Do you care for Tokoyami because you genuinely do or because you’re his quirk? Because you’re commanded to.”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9NBlWAwoth
Stunned, they can only stare into those trembling green eyes and listen.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPekzrmq4a3
Kiri: “If you weren’t stuck with him, if he wasn’t your creator, would you still care and protect him?”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuD07amMXcJ
Dark Shadow: “I…”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4HJKWeXmG6
She looks into Dark Shadow’s eyes for something, anything that can help answer her own questions. However, she finds only confusion and uncertainty.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgNl3ALihvE
After half a minute of tension, Kiri relents and accepts the facts.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN1XYOaCbn4
Kiri: “I-I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you… I’ll leave.”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMzQ08rgouL
She quickly gets up and leaves the alley. Tokoyami wants to stop her; he can tell she’s struggling with similar questions. But what could he say that would ease that inner turmoil? He can hardly answer it himself.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQzJd8DpvCH
What if Dark Shadow doesn’t actually want to protect or fight with him?
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFKdJLBRxLb
What if he does see Dark Shadow as family? What kind of person would he be to use family like a living sword and shield while he sits back doing nothing?
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7qHJRvzxYe
Tokoyami: ‘Should I even be a hero if it means putting my… friend in danger all the time? Why… did I want to become a hero again?’
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL1PbHct4Ra
He looks to Dark Shadow, but he looks away. For the first time, Dark Shadow was the one who retreated into Tokoyami’s body.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeAdD4P1hEr
Leaving him alone in the darken alley. A familiar scene he has long repressed.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHaik2iWsF8
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡipASoZe3uP
Momo’s body was throbbing. Edgeshot felt it was important to have all the pressure points tested on her to make sure she got a feel of exactly where they were located.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQhAa63pstI
She couldn’t deny it was helpful.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQhH94pj3p
They have been training for a few hours. With only a few breaks where Edgeshot would check on Tae and Tokoyami. During those hours, they had gone over multiple hand-to-hand exercises of Ninjustu. Everything from weapons to stealth. It felt weird not being able to hear her own footsteps.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPH2pL9ZqRN
Now they were dealing with defense against weapons. At this point, Momo was able to catch Edgeshot’s blade between her palms.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdqEuF5A6he
Edgeshot: “Good! Very good! But what will you do now?”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDuZQqJ5c7C
She trembled.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXHP3ARLApc
There are so many options. She could break the blade, try pressure points, take the blade, headbutt him or-
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZkOQul32Rj
The next things she knew she was on the ground, sword to her throat.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLLQdx7VzLf
Edgeshot: “You’ve improved your reaction time a great deal, but you still seem paralyzed when given too many options.”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDycizWs26J
As he helps her up, Momo couldn’t help but mentally slap herself.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZdjhrjwceh
Momo: “I’m sorry… ”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp6gImJFqEE
Edgeshot: “Don’t be. Your quirk gives you nearly infinite options, and adding my teachings to it makes it even harder. It’s your greatest strength and your greatest weakness. But once you overcome it, you will be a force to be reckoned with.”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6dLWxfwrZV
Momo: “T-Thank you, sensei.”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡooC1P9guqF
Edgeshot: “No need to thank me; I’m happy to help. You’re a smart girl; I know you’ll succeed given time. Now, time to take a break. Go take a shower and use the guest room to rest until I come back with your friends.”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR9DYecmVrq
Momo: “Okay.”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8X4YxJxoEe
She walks toward her room, a bit dejected. She has been getting better; there’s no doubt at this point. But the progress is slow.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaBD6iCsPqd
Momo: ‘I have to do better. I can’t let them down.’
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNExmC8whxQ
After entering the guest room, she peeled off her sweat-soaked clothes and hopped into the shower.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSysS9f8ahX
Momo: ‘But first, I need to relax and clear my mind. And I know the perfect way to do that.’
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0yLDq6SNfF
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrpOSBGLSgU
He gave up, at least for today.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡddXKzqz039
He failed to read Fubuki’s mind and failed to read anyone else’s surface thoughts. Something that surprised his sister to no end.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7CxLZjyMSD
Again, he fails to meet expectations.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6KyzrTpZZo
Feeling that he had suffered enough for one day, he decided to take a break in his room within the Blizzard agency.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnW5YVU6pqk
As he sat there lost in the colors of the ceiling, his phone went off. Not even bothering to see who it was, he answered.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8LsuOyAaKv
Izuku: “Yes?”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUnST3J7Ong
Momo: “Good evening, Midoriya.”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbCuIKeAQ7h
Izuku: “Y-Yaoyorozu!? H-How are you?”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtMR072nv4C
The boy immediately sat up and tried to calm his beating heart. Her giggling only made it beat faster.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj1kascogaR
Momo: “I’m fine. I was calling to see how your internship is going.”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzReffU1Y9q
Izuku: “It’s… going. What about yours?”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuDHrDeZm4t
Momo: “Well, it’s-oh! Whoops. Hold on a second.”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF1CUby0DKw
On the other end, the boy could hear some muffled sounds.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvwcLEuaRzd
Momo: “Sorry, I got some water on my phone since I just left the shower.”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB7Gy0pKTuq
The poor boy’s brain suddenly assaulted/blessed him with images of the woman in the shower… long black hair matted down by water… hot water running down her nake-
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg0xwFiwHhY
SLAP!
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3uf4V0i1AP
Momo: “M-Midorya!? Are you alright!?”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAywTCbvscQ
Izuku: “… Yes. Just an annoying fly I had to slap. You were saying?”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUMndm6cq7I
Momo: “Oh, okay. Well, I’m doing alright. It’s been hard, but I’m making progress.”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgk2rwoIsyD
Izuku: “I see… ”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ06hVpMHAFV
Momo: “Don’t worry, Midoriya, I won’t let you or All Might down. I’ll keep at it.”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsCQwukgCRd
Izuku: “You don’t have to worry about disappointing us. I know you’ll do great.”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgWR09n4aEl
Izuku: ‘I’m the one having a problem.’
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVovDiGF5tr
Momo: “You’re too sweet. Thank you.”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ5eBRk9wHu
Izuku: “S-Speaking of training, can you help me with it?”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEoI9J2nG31
Momo: “Huh? How?”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ820kvSZau5
Izuku: “Well, I’m only really improving my mental abilities here. But I don’t want to neglect my body. So I want to spar with you. I improve my swordsmanship, and you practice what you learned today. That way we both benefit.”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6m3WbzPbP8
Momo: “R-Really? O-Okay, that sounds great! Meet me at my place tonight.”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkIBvpiUuip
Izuku: “Okay. Thanks, Yaoyorozu.”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuwZYBTrujc
Momo: “…”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKVc32qHyZK
Izuku: “Yaoyorozu?”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo91yyAiUlm
Momo: “You can… call me Momo if you want.”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYaMbRiyCdZ
Who would have guessed such a simple request would flip a boy’s stomach or give him sweaty palms?
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQLBaqhsWQ2
Izuku: “O-Okay, y-y-you can call me I-Izuku too.”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbtGfb3Wwpz
Momo: “A-Alright, see you tonight, I-Izuku.”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2MKt81X7v8
And with that, the call ended. A call with a very attractive girl who has a cute first name. A girl who just came out of the shower and gave him the go-ahead to use said first name.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ06OfYoNwEw
Izuku: “I’m going to need a cold shower.”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfo2DgnyTXU
Whether it worked or not remains to be seen, but Izuku was ready for some much-needed training. The rest of the day with Fubuki didn’t really profit him much, sadly.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzWKSra3Alk
So it all really hinged on tonight, or this whole day would have been worthless.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq8NhVyYAmY
With a flash of green, Izuku was in front of the familiar gate.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTPvu4vvQ2U
Izuku: “Yao, I mean, M-Momo, I’m here.”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHqDZpMKzox
The next moment, the gates opened and allowed Izuku to walk towards the building. He’s pretty used to the layout, but this is the first time he’s been here at night. It felt… strange. Not the bad, kind though; it was a tingling in the spine and toes.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq7ltbm1gzy
Whatever it is, he didn’t need it. So again, he represses it and goes inside. Waiting within was Momo in her hero costume, a costume that’s very revealing mind you.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4e0P3pNsI4
Repress it.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSMm78ePZ5i
Izuku: “Let’s get started then.”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI5DEtl4luR
The boy was ready with his hero costume and prepared to enter the training room they used before. But Momo held up her hand to stop him.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYv1G0nMlLM
Momo: “Hold on, this is a good time for you to try and improve my body.”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKOtVuZzntb
Izuku: “Y-Your body? Oh! O-Okay, I can try. But like I said-”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsoUSIrdvnZ
Momo: “I trust you.”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0alcPd6pCx
As she says this, she goes over to the couch and lies down on her stomach. The sight earns a slight gulp from the boy.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWsD4aCdiNb
Repress it.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ35Cnt6kHWX
Momo: “Is this position fine?”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsO2ky6laxT
Izuku: “Y-Yeah.”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfLz5IcCe7X
She places her arms above her head while keeping her face turned toward the couch. Probably to hide the blush. Izuku swallowed again and got on his knees next to her. He placed his hands on her slender arms and closed his eyes.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJz9sNybzZN
He tried to sense the atomic bonds of her arms, then go from there to the rest of her body. But his focus wasn’t on his task; instead, it was on how soft her skin was. Unconsciously, he starts to caress her.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfwXToUwKA7
Momo: “I-Is it working?”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbcBkdWOdoX
Snapping out of it, Izuku opens his eyes and takes in a gallon of air.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwa6CWoSeG0
Izuku: “S-Sorry! I-I guess I’m a bit out of it. It’s harder than usual. Maybe we should focus on the training instead.”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJpCH2MIuu3
Momo: “Mmmm, okay. Maybe next time. Instead… how about you give me a message after training?”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsZrIltulT2
Izuku: “A-A message!?”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3PHql93xsg
Momo: “Yes, I do you, and you do me. It’s a great way to relax and soften the muscles after a good workout. I don’t really have anyone else to do that with, so… ”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcjSZoUtDAp
Izuku: “I-It’s fine, I understand. I-I’ll think about it.”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTXykBey4AW
Fighting down the blush, among other things, Izuku gets up and fast-walks to the training area. Meanwhile, Momo holds in a giggle before following him.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7JJCeI5aUg
Momo: ‘I might be being a bit mean. But he can be so cute when teased. Ashido was right; it can be fun.’
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOIcCSAUm7j
Once inside, Momo creates her classic bo staff. But this one seemed to be made of hardened steel. Izuku matches her by bringing out his psi-sword, created from his tie.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoCCJbTB6N0
After getting into their respective stances, they charge at one another. Momo’s training became evident as she effortlessly countered and redirected many of Izuku’s slashes.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2huVKiF0zw
Sure, he was holding back a bit, didn’t want to cut the staff in two, but this was still impressive.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqj8dOHEVEv
The dance continued as the two found a comfortable rhythm. But as it went on, Momo’s reach and focus proved greater. In a pure martial battle, without needing to worry about several options, the girl excelled.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI8HuK4w32j
On the other hand…
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡClZ1D4mEwE
Izuku: ‘Haaaa…’
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmNQb5EpTHK
The boy is slowing down, all due to frustration.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbWXyU3TEBt
Izuku: ‘It’s not enough… ’
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSolifMLKbb
Years without a quirk.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYWf5gKSINn
Years of being disabled.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcPzRbzd8DK
Years of being worthless.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm5W1lNnYdZ
And now, he is being forced to return to that state. If he wanted to learn how to fight with just a sword, he would have done so before.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi5yvyqgdm2
No, he wanted to be a hero. A real one with a quirk, an identity.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgrvfNnyryE
Izuku: ‘I want to use it… ’
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡioj1U5Fpr3
As the clash of weapons continues, Izuku’s control continues to slip.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2miWU79joP
Izuku: ‘I want to use my quirk…’
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBrweJZj4ZD
More than just lighting up and hardening a tie. More than just moving things, or flight, or reading minds. There’s more to it than just swinging some sword.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZCTZ4wEQ9D
It’s more.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxn8p3LnOEE
He’s m-
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJaQg3sueOq
Control slips.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGdduxQjJZQ
Reads her mind, seeing the thrust coming.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Gu0Im54D1
Strengthens body, dodges it.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMfBvMe7E1i
Catches the staff, crushes its atomic structure.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdLISGp8AkT
Feels surprise from her, an opening.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBrrsPNquMT
Pushes the opponent away with a glance.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ahl5yFrYP
Victory.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW9r4U5SQKu
Control is regained.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9BqrtD2JJT
Izuku: “M-Momo! I-I’m sorry! This was supposed to be just a simple spar. I didn’t mean to-”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVdh3y0I8NP
He runs to Momo, who was getting up from the forceful toss.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsPouUIQPsZ
Momo: “It’s fine, I-Izuku. I’m more worried about you.”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkGrf0nHFIC
Izuku: “M-Me?”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg4r3N82HzP
Momo: “Yes, you looked… distracted. And you wouldn’t have done what you did normally. What’s wrong?”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMgR6qZGIQO
Izuku: “… I guess… you should know. So you know who you’re trying to be with.”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmOReaPAsVx
A mirror of what happened before during the tournament, but reversed. They sit on the ground next to each other as Izuku explains his quirk in full detail.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgeimDo8mGs
What Kiri knows, Momo knows. An equal playing field.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9YH1qA2tse
But unlike before, the boy didn’t feel relief from talking about it. Only exhaustion and further frustration.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZjBku3zbjX
Izuku: “That’s why my quirk has been so… strange recently. Why I’ve been acting weird. This damn… ”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsNpX6fuyuj
He nearly tears out his hair from the stress of having this blessing and curse of a quirk.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAFvva4d3M5
Izuku: “M-Momo, I’m sorry for unloading all of this on you. You don’t deserve-”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg7tfygxlct
A soft sensation envelops him as soft arms wrap around his frame.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3rJn8SNkiG
Momo: “It’s okay. It’s… a lot. I don’t think I really understand all of it. But what I do know is that you can’t keep doing this to yourself.”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0o1qGE50wv
Izuku: “But-”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsJz7qentuA
Momo: “No. You’re not a villain or some monster. You’re Izuku Midoriya, the boy I fell in love with. You helped me when I didn’t see much worth in myself. Let me do the same for you. It’s your quirk; no matter what’s in it, you are the master of it.”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTvE6OyrfjK
The boy knows; he is their prince, after all. But he doesn’t want to deal with them. Never again.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB7YsjTGL9s
The girl senses that her words haven’t reached him fully, so she continues.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC9HzDs4XNk
Momo: “This isn’t it good for you; repressing things is not the answer.”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaRcqJp6BeG
Izuku: ‘I want to believe that… but what other choice do I have? Accepting everything would only make things worse. Won’t it? I’m… scared of what I’ll become… and tired of thinking about it… ’
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMS9VtxeJIe
He sinks deeper into her embrace. He can’t accept it, not yet. So instead, Izuku wants to forget about it. To turn away from the shadow and ignore its existence.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY8b3ahcvW5
Every flaw and unwanted desire was pushed away into the vault.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxOAyBOguWU
But where does he go from here? What is the answer?
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWh8MW5nAwB
It remains unclear. But as he rests within the embrace of a woman he has come to love and care for, instincts take over.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡir4tBkwhJ0
Enough worrying about what comes next.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu4GJl63zZr
Enough worrying about quirk and relationship problems.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsKqRHykl44
One more, just one more time.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDCJrtwfbow
He lets other desires slip through.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa22cS82SnE
Because why be ashamed of those?
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoiqc9w1KeC
Let go.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5zN86RjeSy
Izuku: “Momo, thank you.”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8nECtnLUEq
He lifts up his head and takes her lips into his own. Momo is momentarily surprised, but taking this as a sign, she quickly returns it with force.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡupTTiM4Dga
All the desires built up by Kiri and Momo’s teasing were finally let loose. The enthusiastic reciprocation spurred him on, guiding his hands across her body.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjdY6WPcJrd
He wasn’t the only one eager and willing. Momo felt across his body, or tried to. He was wearing armor, something too hard to remove despite her efforts.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK8bz4a9y7s
But even in a daze, Izuku could sense what she was trying to do. While feeling her bare leg, he mentally removes the locks on his suit. A tad looser, it was easier for the girl to remove it over his head. At last, she could feel his muscular, bare chest.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQ5JPia6ir
He didn’t skip out on sculpting it to near perfection when he was improving his muscular structure, much to her delight. Momo couldn’t enjoy it for long as Izuku guided her to the floor and continued the assault on her waiting mouth.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoYDpDv6bOg
As the room got hotter and the situation more risky, Momo began to question the situation. Even as she welcomed his tongue and wrapped her legs around his waist, she questioned.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmpTosSi4um
Were they going too fast?
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOoOnNQwckz
Is he doing this because he chooses her or because he is looking to relieve stress? Consciously or not, it didn’t matter. If this was going to happen, she wanted to do it right. By the book.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKYGv5Iekus
So when the boy moved from her mouth to the neck, she breathed out her question.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyRP5WC8t7L
Momo: “I-Izuku?”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0BD0FQJkog
Saying his name seemed to only inflame him more, causing him to grasp her chest.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDPV5jGVuvq
Momo: “Ah!”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUI0bMu3jKq
While one hand caresses, another frees her hair. It was getting serious, as proven by the third leg poking her thigh.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNjsvQ4ENaJ
Momo: “S-Slow down… I need to know-”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF3Lt9a8qtB
Her answer was swallowed by another kiss, one more forceful than the last. Something was wrong. She imagined Izuku would be a gentle lover, but this is pure domination. Despite that, goodness, it felt amazing.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWbAneAB5Vs
The girl was in a daze, her head floating on top of marshmallow clouds raining honey. She wants to keep going. But they would both regret it if this was nothing more than some flight of passion.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCVzb5f9Ryf
She doesn’t just want sex; she wants to be loved. And not by an Izuku who seemed completely out of it, but an Izuku in control and fully consenting.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS7D9FKfXpF
So, she took a drastic measure. Using what she learned of grappling, Momo reversed the position so she was on top. Next, she grasped the sides of Izuku’s face and stared into his dimmer-than-normal eyes.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMe77T2Euui
Momo: “Listen… Izuku, can you hear me? I need to know… why are we doing this? Because you choose me over Tae or because-”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEoPy3SACt1
Izuku: “Tae… Kiri?”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8R8cc25uEK
Momo: “Yes. Do you love me more than her? Or are you doing this as a form of escape?”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwvgp66owwO
Her words break through, reason returns, and shame grows.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYzZVWMWQfS
Izuku: ‘Ah, that’s why.’
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkW7w6aDWU2
Momo: “I hope you have. I …really want to keep going and… I don’t know if Tae is good for you. I don’t know if she can love like a human can, like I can.”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSKDInD4TGt
She comes closer, ever so closer, but never all the way. He needs to make the choice.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT28jRIqaXj
But he can’t, not yet. Not until he faces all of himself. Something he simply can’t do yet.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFRquI1cL2f
Izuku: “I… I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done this.”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgxH5s34bg1
Her heart cracks.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyCjV3Qp4h1
Momo: “I see… ”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtVbv8vbc8P
Izuku: “I-I wasn’t thinking! I was just-”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFIVVfnhxpG
Momo: “It’s fine. I suppose I did tease you a lot.”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXGwyosziqE
Izuku: “H-Hah, you did… ”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUvk5RDmkvS
Momo: “And it’s not like you forced me. Please, don’t beat yourself up over this.”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFh30EGmJ5G
Izuku: “I’ll try… not to.”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsv7BBBBpaO
He will, if only a little.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3XX9jCubnp
But despite the momentary lapse of judgment, Izuku won’t let it end on an awkward note. So he takes her hand and kisses it, a gesture that leaves her heart aflutter.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3hYqvGq019
Izuku: “I do love you, Momo. Possibly, even more than Kiri.”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfmzyQCA5U7
Momo: “R-Really?”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEPE0KGUYLy
Izuku: “But it’s not fair to her. You said she can’t love like a human; I think she can. So until she proves one of us right, I think we should put this whole love triangle on hold.”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRrziFQMfmJ
Momo: ‘A delaying tactic…’
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Cuk6CpcL7
Momo: “… Fine. But you don’t get to leave me out in the cold until then. Sleep here.”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeGX5FBnGdp
Izuku: “H-Huh!?”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlmlbhFaxy4
Momo: “I know you share a bed with Tae. That isn’t fair either.”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡezYoiioLN0
Izuku: “But-”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBmhGxZO4QU
She silences his protests with a gentle kiss, one that threatens to slip back into riskier territory. So she ends it there.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSWPUKLXhnP
Momo: “No buts. Come to bed. Just this once.”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlfGfDe3Mrc
Izuku: “… Okay.”
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7erbl3nYTM
Gracing him with a winning smile, she dismounts him and already misses the pressure. But there’s no use crying over it. The duo clean themselves and change into some sleepwear. For Izuku, this took the form of some supremely comfy robes. Money sure has many perks.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcJsCqfAh7P
When it was time to go to bed, the boy tried his best not to focus on Momo’s nightgown. It was nearly impossible when she insisted on cuddling. But he knew he made it through when she finally fell asleep.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWcpGoAWIq1
Izuku: ‘Finally…’
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJTUfqR0MQ8
Despite what happened, Izuku feels… a bit better. More free, some of the weight has lifted from his heart.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuqss30UDzT
At least for this… maybe it will be fine to let loose. Within reason.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjwyp4qu83D
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpVILBpS4Gh
A/N: I wrote this on 6/4/25. I haven’t finished the chapters after this yet, but I have to get this off my chest now.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCcySKna8uY
Man, this whole love triangle thing is exhausting. I want to get to the point where he just says, “Fuck it”, and takes them both. This feels forced and melodramatic, but I have to do it.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtoIhK6LVzf
I hope you bear with me. At least everything outside of it, in my opinion, is good. I enjoyed the Dark Shadow and Family sections, for the most part.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuYqhdqXzoi
But I am afraid that things are getting a bit edgy in some places. A consequence of the themes I’m tackling and Izuku’s quirk. I get it. But sometimes it feels like I’m going too far. I don’t have to change this to M, right?
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoJgYAzzkZ3
Here’s hoping I stick the landing with this arc and can add more lighthearted moments. But considering what’s coming next, I doubt it.
81Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡInf2vbmmLj
Prepare for possible tonal whiplash.
ns216.73.216.247da2
