Shouta's POV

Over the past couple of days, we have been keeping an eye on Izuku, if you can call it that. We've genuinely only seen the kid a handful of times, and he is gone as fast as he is there.

I don't think we accomplished anything by being here. Every time I saw him, he was happy. I can tell by his eyes. The last time I have seen that kid truly happy...I don't remember. It's been so long. It has to be almost a year at this point since his class is almost about to enter their second year.

With that said, we have decided to leave him alone. If something comes up, we'll be right by his side. Otherwise, Izuku is fine here. Far from perfect, but he's surviving and happy and that's all I can ask. We can't do anything at the moment otherwise.

I hate it, but it's for Izuku's sake. He was already aware of us the first day anyway, so he could have made sure we didn't see him for all we know.

"Nem, you still have makeup in here, " Hizashi calls from the bathroom.

Nemuri huffs, "I'm getting there, give me a moment, damn-"

That's when they were interrupted by knocking on the door. We each look up with a confused look to one another.

"Sho, go answer it. You aren't doing anything," Nemuri states as she returns to her work. I am not surprised.

I roll my eyes as I approach the door. I look through the glass first, and my breathing stops.

Outside the door is Izuku.

"It's Izuku," I warn them before I open the door. While I would wait on them to recover from the news, Izuku is impatient. It wouldn't look good on us.

I open the door to reveal Izuku. This is the first time I've seen him this close in two months. From a distance... he is perfectly fine to a normal person. I can tell that something was off, but, if I think about it logically, I can push that onto it being someone that isn't Izuku. However, up close, that's not the case. Unless you're close to him, you don't recognize how bad he looks. With Izuku, it has always been minor details: eyebags, slightly messier hair, wrinkles in his clothes.

Izuku isn't okay. At least not physically. However, I know that he is happy here too. He's practically a living example of someone who can be happy despite his living conditions.

He just had to be willing to change them, willingly or not.

Izuku doesn't say anything at first. He just looks at me like he is trying to figure out what to say.

Then, a soft laugh escapes Izuku, "I'm sorry, I thought I could ride and die this, and I did not think about what I would say. Can you, like, close the door and we start over?"

I give him an unamused look. This is the first time talking to him directly in two months, he doesn't even recognize me, and he pulls this shit. I shouldn't be surprised since this is Izuku. I won't lie that there's a certain comfort seeing him like that. Some of him is still there.

I just wish Izuku was fully there. He seems so close, yet he is so far. It's a surreal experience.

Izuku huffs through his mask, "Alright, fine. I'm Mikumo, the runner of this place. Can I talk to y'all? I know this is super random, but it means something to me." I have no idea where this could go.

"Yeah. Do you prefer to come inside or go elsewhere?" I ask.

"Inside is fine," Without giving me a chance, Izuku slips past me and enters. Damn brat, "Close the door." I follow his instructions.

At some point, Hizashi and Nemuri had come out into the hallway, which doesn't fit us but we'll make it work. Nemuri is looking between Izuku and I with confusion while all of Hizashi's attention is on Izuku. I can tell he is holding back from hugging the kid.

Meanwhile, Izuku is oblivious, "Hi. I don't know if y'all heard, but my name is Mikumo. I technically run the place."

"Nice to meet you, kiddo," Nemuri says. Hizashi only offers a nod. Again, I understand.

"Excuse me, I am 24." No, you are not.

"Sorry, you just look like a kid."

"I know right? Genetics did me right," Izuku says, and I can tell by his eyes that he is smiling before he drops it with a sigh, "Yeah, I'm just going to get straight to the point: what are you guys doing here? And don't give me a fake story either because I know you guys are heroes." Shit, so he did know.

I intervene before Nemuri gets us into trouble, "We were just looking for someone. That's all."

"Who?"

"A close friend. Is there a problem with that?" Izuku shakes his head.

"No. I just didn't know if you were after anyone here. If you were, that would be a danger to everyone here." That explains Izuku's thought process, and it does match him. I didn't even think of that, "But why stay here for two days? Wouldn't it just take a scan and then hitchhike out of here?" Damn it, Izuku.

"It's more complicated than that."

Before Izuku can continue to question us, Nemuri asks, "Why are you questioning us so much? Actually, better question, how did you know we were heroes?"

Izuku faces Nemuri, "Because God told me." Nemuri, don't start an argument with him.

"You want to give a better excuse?" Damn it, Nemuri.

"I know heroes."

"How?"

"That seems like none of your business."

"Are you kidding me, Iz-?"

I intervene, "Nemuri, drop it." Nemuri sighs but does so, choosing to go back to her room to finish packing, "I am sorry about her."

Izuku shrugs, "I've heard worse," Izuku then sighs and turns to face me again, "I should probably get out of your hair then. I still have shit to do, and I got my answers."

I nod, unsure of what to say. After this, I don't want Izuku to go. There's something more-

"You operate the hero agency across the street too, right?" Hizashi asks suddenly. I can tell that was a sudden idea by his facial expression alone. I should have known he wasn't going to let Izuku go that easily. Still, I wonder what Hizashi is getting at with this.

Izuku slowly turns to face him and tilts his head to the side, "Yeah, why?"

Hizashi fakes a smile, "I heard from Hawks. I also noticed that there hasn't been any crime around here."

"I didn't want people here to worry about villains trying to bust the place. Putting a hero agency down isn't going to do anything. You have to actually scare them off." I don't think any villains would try to go after this place, but I understand his thought process. It's Izuku's way.

"That's true, tiny listener. You even got Principal Nezu's eye on you. He's quite impressed with your work." I've never heard that from Nezu. It's probably true, but he's never said that. What is Hizashi trying to do here?

"Nezu?"

"The UA Principal?"

"Yeah, I have no idea what that is."

Hizashi furrows his eyebrows as he gives Izuku a confused look, "UA is a famous highschool. Practically everyone knows of it."

Izuku lightly laughs, "You'll have to forgive me because my memory is not great." So All for One removed any signs of UA from his memories? It makes sense to remove his experiences of UA, but why UA entirely? Did he not have a choice?

Hizashi nods, "Ah, I getcha. Well, Principal Nezu is really smart. Anyone who demonstrates a level of intelligence even close to his intrigues him."

"That sounds concerning as hell."

"He can be. Anyway, I brought it up because he was actually interested in talking to you. He wanted to see how you set up your agency and possibly get your help implementing it into UA." I forget how smart Hizashi is sometimes. He's trying to get Izuku back to UA, and, if he does this right, Izuku will probably go.

"If that's the case, then why haven't I heard from him?"

"We were actually going to speak to you about it before we left today. We were only allowed to go searching for our friend if we agreed to do that. He prefers more face to face interaction."

"Uh-huh...and why should I trust this?"

"We can call him right now if that helps." I hope you know what you're doing, Hizashi. However, this does involve Nezu. He'll probably figure it out quick.

Izuku sighs, "Why should I?"

"He compensates for any work-"

"Call him now." Of course Izuku still values money. It's one thing that should have changed.

Hizashi looks at Izuku with surprise. Then, a genuine smile decorates his face as a laugh escapes him, "Sure," He tells him as he pulls out his phone, "I don't know if he'll answer at the moment, but we can certainly try." This is certainly something. Hizashi will do anything to avoid calling Nezu, but he's offering it willingly.

If this was Izuku, we wouldn't have gotten this far. However, if it was Izuku, he would just come with us.

The phone rings as Hizashi calls Nezu, and the rat picks up within the first ring, "Good day, Mic. What can I help you with this morning?"

"Hey, Nezu. I have Mikumo here for the job you had for him." Hizashi explains. A good setup to let Nezu know what he dragged him into.

"Ah, of course! How are you doing, Mikumo?" Nezu exclaims over the phone. He's way too excited.

Izuku rolls his eyes, "There's heroes at my shelter, I confronted them, and now I am being offered a job."

"A bit odd, I suppose...I am glad that you are doing well!" Izuku looks at HIzashi like he is crazy before continuing the conversation.

"I'm going to completely ignore that and move on. What am I expected to do and how much pay will I get?"

Nezu chuckles, "I am one for getting straight to the point, "No, you are not, " I expect you to perform a checkover on UA's current system and improve where needed. This involves not only the security but also the teachers and their teaching methods toward the students. For each of these jobs, I would pay you my salary. Any improvement will also equal a salary." THat's a really good deal for Izuku.

"And all that goes to The Motel?"

"If that is what you want, I am more than willing. I am also willing to pay a portion of that check per week towards the shelter if you continue work beyond what I specify." Izuku's eyes light up.

"Really?"

"Of course. I believe in what you are doing. If more appear, we would be looking at a better Japan."

Izuku turns to us, "How far is UA from here?"

"About an hour by subway," Hizashi answers. Izuku huffs.

"That's far, and it's not like I can move there. I need to stay here...but the pay!"

"Are you short on cash?"

"It's running on stock money. I don't want to take cash from them because it feels dickish." Izuku sighs, "I'll make it work. I need this, but I want a contract on this. You're not weaseling me out of shit."

"I will get that prepared," Nezu responds, " Are you available to come by today to sign? I am willing to provide a tour and information so you can start brainstorming ideas as soon as possible."

"I can make time. Speaking of time, do I have set hours?"

"Nope! You can work as much or as little as you want as long as you get it done eventually."

"Perfect! I'll see you then."

Hizashi hangs up on Nezu before he can say anything else. I can't believe that worked. We're bringing Izuku back on campus. Maybe not fully but it's him. We can at least kind of keep an eye on him.

Izuku steps back with a huff of amusement, "Well, I need to get my shit together for this. I'll leave y'all be now. Later!"

Just as Izuku is about to slip past me again, I raise an arm to stop him, "We have to go back to UA as well. We're teachers, and we only got a limited amount of time to search for our friend. That time expires today. You can come with us there."

Izuku stumbles back and gives me a questioning look, "You're a teacher?"

"...yes." I thought we got over this stage years ago.

"I'm starting to doubt Nezu's salary."

Hizashi interferes, "That's just his aesthetic."

"Who willingly chooses to look homeless?"

"Shouta does. Oh, that reminds me, we never introduced ourselves! Since we're going to be working together, we might as well here. I'm Yamada Hizashi, also known as Present Mic. It's a pleasure to meet you, Mikumo."

I follow after him, "I'm Aizawa Shouta."

Nemuri calls from her room, "Kayama Nemuri, also known as Midnight!"

Izuku stays still for a moment, as if he is realizing something. However, he quickly snaps out of it.

"And I"m Mikumo Atanki. When do you guys plan on leaving?"

"We can leave whenever you are ready," I tell him, "We have all day."

"I don't need that much time. I need about an hour to tell people what to do for me. After that, we can meet at the lobby?"

"Sure."

"Alright, see you in an hour then," Izuku says, and, before I have a chance to stop him again, he slips by and leaves.

We don't say anything for a moment.

Then, Hizashi leans against the wall with a grin, "I didn't think that would work. Oh my gosh...this kid is going to owe me hair dye by the end of this."

Nemuri cackles, "No shit. Jesus Christ Zashi, you're lucky that kid forgot everything. We know for a fact that wouldn't have worked otherwise."

"Yeah...I know that wasn't in our plans, but I saw an opportunity to bring him back for some time."

"I just hope to everything he isn't a villain."

I shake my head, "I don't think he is. He's genuine."

"What makes you say that?"

It takes me a moment to figure out an answer. I can typically tell if Izuku has an ulterior motive. I know Izuku isn't completely there, but Izuku's personality is practically the same if a little off due to the lack of memories. Either way, I can see that Izuku cares deeply for this place. It's the same effort he would put in to protect everyone. The pure focus he has to make everything perfect. If Izuku didn't care, he wouldn't have put the effort he put in here. He would do what needs to be done, but that's it.

Izuku would probably hurt someone if they tried to mess this up, including any villains.

"Izuku's thoughts are strictly on this place and making it the best for everyone. Nothing is interfering with that," I tell Nemuri; however, I realize something and add, "Our biggest worry is if Izuku is being tracked. If that is the case, at least he'll be at UA. The issue is bringing him back here."

Hizashi runs a hand through his hair, "So once we bring him to UA, we technically can't leave him alone."

"Yeah."

Nemuri comes out with her bag, "I didn't think of that, but you're right on both fronts. I don't think we should be leaving him alone either way. He looks like shit. Like, shit shit."

"Probably overworking himself."

"No- well, yes, but also no," Hizashi says, "He looked similar to that while you were out. He looks worse, to be honest. Like, I thought he was better besides the mask, which we need to figure out what it is for, by the way. Anyway, he isn't...I think he still has that quirk. That's about how he looked before he got kidnapped." Damn it, Izuku.

"He had those symptoms?"

"Yeah, pretty much. Even on quirk suppressants, Izuku struggled."

Nemuri attempts to solve the problem,"So that's probably what the mask produces."

"Maybe, but Izuku did seem against us right at the beginning. He also knew that we were heroes."

I add, "He also seemed to recognize our names, which would be much harder to find."

"Yeah...I don't know. Maybe he has a review system, so quirk suppressants may be possible because he would know us."

"It suits Izuku to do something like that," Nemuri inserts. She isn't wrong.

I sigh, "I say our most logical idea of what that mask does is produce quirk suppressant. Maybe we can get an answer out of him later. For now, let's get everything together and go. Trying to figure the brat out now is like trying to solve a jigsaw with no pieces."

Both of them agree to that, and we finish getting out stuff together. Once we double-check everything, we head out and turn our keys to the front desk.

Then, we wait. We wait for just under an hour when Izuku comes in from another hallway. Unlike what he has been wearing, he actually got dressed in a decent suit. It doesn't fit him perfectly and it hangs, but I consider that an improvement. The only thing that ruins the image is the backpack on his shoulders that hook up to his mask.

Izuku approaches us and gives us a firm nod, "I am ready."

Hizashi stands up first, "We're ready too. This place is great, but I prefer to be at home."

Nemuri follows after, "Same."

"I don't blame y'all," Izuku huffs, "This is my home, so I get it."

I interrupt the conversation before they get too far, "We should probably get moving. We don't want to miss the metro, especially when we don't know when the next one is."

Thankfully, that gets them moving to the nearest subway.

Hopefully, nothing goes wrong.