So y'all know how I said that I was desperate for money?

Well, it has evolved into taking jobs from practical strangers that were already suspicious to me!

Okay, so maybe it would help to explain what I mean.

Remember the three heroes I was suspicious about? Well, I encountered them off camera (since that decided to disappear for some reason). I questioned them fiercely, and they pretty much gave me all the answers I needed to be less suspicious about them technically. Then, one of them said that they had a job offer from his boss and called him up.

Next thing you know, I am walking to UA, the number one hero highschool in Japan with these people. It's probably far from my smartest idea, but y'all need to hear me out.

I know these people, and it's not because they introduced themselves to me. I know them know them. Like, I don't know them, but I did know them.

Please don't send me to a psych ward. Let me explain!

We all know that my quirk is pretty good at identifying heroes. However, it's usually the hero name, quirk, and their weaknesses. This doesn't include their actual names, but it was showing me their actual names. Then, they told me their names and it was correct!

If you don't think that's enough, I can tell that they recognize me. They're acting like they're on a script? No no no, that's not it. No matter, they are off character. I don't know how. I just know they are.

In particular, Yamada, otherwise known as Present Mic. He's the long blond hippy of the group. He's avoiding eye contact with me, yet he keeps a close eye on me. Sure, all of them are doing this, but he certainly sounds out the moment. I wonder how I fucked that up. However, he is the one to bring up the job, so maybe it isn't completely fucked.

Something must have happened though because he looks depressed compared to the pictures I found of him. And yes, I googled all of them

We have Kayama who is known as Midnight. I don't know how she's legal because she literally wears a dominatrix outfit. Then, we have Aizawa, also known as Eraserhead. He's underground. He also seems to be keeping a close eye on me.

That was off topic.

To summarize, these people know me, and they are not telling me. Like, I am forgetful, not stupid. It makes me wonder if maybe I was the one they were looking for. I know that's a stretch and egotistical, but all I see is evidence going towards that idea.

Whatever. I deny y'all care for my conspiracy theories anyway. Y'all want the cold hard facts, so let's focus on the story, shall we?

UA happens to be far away from The Hotel. We had to walk on a train station, ride on a train for an hour, and now we are walking to the school itself. I can officially say that I am ready for a nap. Actually, it's past naptime. However, it's not like I can be like 'yo, i need sleep, let me sleep'. That's rude. Even if I did, where am I supposed to sleep? I deny they're going to let me sleep on the side of the road, and, if they do suggest an idea, it will probably be embarrassing on my end.

It certainly doesn't help that Aizawa keeps asking if I am okay because I am probably huffing and puffing like the big bad wolf with a mask on. I am not, but I am not going to tell you that because I don't know anything about you. You're also giving me bad vibes cause you're not telling me that you know me. I know the guy cares, but why?

So many questions yet so few answers. Damn world.

"Hey, this is it, Mikumo," Kayama interrupts my thoughts. I look up at what she is talking about and...uh, what?

"Excuse me, that's an office building," I clarify despite my lack of air, and I am not kidding. That building looks like a flipping office building. Hell, it even has a huge-ass gate in front of it! You can't tell me that it is a school!

"Nope. That's UA."

"Why???"

"Because they can? I don't know, man."

"So they're the kind of person to talk about how big their cock is-"

Aizawa interrupts me, "Come on, this way. We have to use the side entry." But the front entrance is right there. Are you trying to kill me? Why did you take us this way in the first place?!

"Why?"

"Faculty rules." For some reason, I think that's bullshit. However, I will keep my mouth shut for now.

We follow Aizawa into the forested area around the school, and I can say that I don't like this. If this was a horror movie, one of us would already be dead by now. Since this is real life, that's going to take a little longer due to the lack of movie production here.

Okay, so maybe my confidence in them is really lacking, but can you blame me? I don't know these people, but they know me and won't tell me! This shit is more fishy than fish!

And just when hope is starting to escape me, we approach the UA barricade, and there's a normal door.

Aizawa approaches the door and opens it, "Through here." Um, it just opens like that? Is there no security system, or is there a security system I am just not seeing?

Either way, I walk through first, and I am revealed to a forest. I should have expected this. Why must things be so difficult? While they come in, I decide to take this chance to use my quirk. I rather know what heroes I am expected to work with. However, that's not what catches attention.

I see names. Regular names, which is not common. Nowadays, if I see new people with tags already, they have hero names. These are just regular human names, which means I must know those people. I quickly scan the names, and most of them don't ring any bells except one.

Bakugo Katsuki.

Bakugo was my childhood bully. To be honest, I have no idea what happened to him. The last thing I remember with him is him telling me to kill myself, and that was years ago. I thought he went to jail. Definitely not a great note to end that, I think we can all agree.

Actually, wait, why is Bakugo at UA? He is around my age, so he should already be doing hero shit. What is he doing at a highschool? I deny he would become a teacher because that's just not fitting of him. Also, why is he around people I know? Did we reconcile and I completely forgot? I wouldn't be surprised if I did, but that's sad.

Honestly, this whole place is giving me weird vibes. I have a feeling I have been here before.I don't know what for because I don't give a fuck about hero society, but I was here. It would be great if these motherfuckers would just tell me everything, but I deny it's going to be that easy.

...you know a motherfucker who would tell me everything? Bakugo. Sure, he hates me, and we did not end on the best note. However, despite his brutish personality, he would at least tell me that shit if I ask. Maybe not in the kindest way, but I would get a response.That's what I need.

I need to figure out a way to get to Bakugo.

I turn off my quirk as everyone appears beside me.

"We're almost there. Once we reach the building, we're going to the teacher's lounge and waiting there until he is ready for us," Aizawa informs me as he walks ahead. I have a confused look on my face as I follow. Did he not set time aside? Stop pulling my leg!

"Did something come up?" I question. Sorry if I am nosy, but I thought I would meet him as soon as I got here. This does not seem very professional, and I am far from professional.

"Yeah. He said he left the contract there though so you can look through it in the meantime." I guess that's something. I suppose that means more time on campus and thus more time to ditch these bastards and find Bakugo.

I am way too excited to find a childhood bully that just so happened to tell me to kill myself...that's just sad. And this is the same guy who forgot his family, so I have pretty high standards for such things. I have become a disappointment to myself.

You think my parents feel the same way? Probably? Damn.

"Mikumo, are you okay?" Kayama interrupts my thoughts. Excuse me, I was internally dialoguing-!

Oh, when did we get out of the forest? I don't talk that much unless it is that short. However, I can appreciate my internal dialogue because I was able to ignore the ever growing pain of life trying to kill me with pain and agony. Too bad I feel it now. I suppose I look the part since all of them are looking at me.

The technical answer is no, for clarification.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Are we close?" I ask. At this point, I'll be happy to sit down.

Aizawa nods, "It's the building ahead."

I look up to see the tall-ass building in front of me and nod. Thank fuck for that!

Nothing else is really said for the rest of the walk, especially since the building is a short walking distance ahead. When we finally reach the doors, I am let inside to an empty ginormous hallway. There's not lockers. It's just doors, big ass windows, and lights. It's surprisingly plain, but I guess that isn't something I should be judged on.

I try to pay attention as we navigate the halls. Try is the key word because it's a fucking maze, and my body is wanting to die of exhaustion. Hell, I thought it was going to happen when Aizawa suddenly opens a door. I don't even say anything as I step inside to find a fancy teacher's lounge with couches and fridges and practically anything a teacher would need.

"Go sit. You look like you're about to collapse," Aizawa tells me bluntly. His point is further emphasized when Yamada rests a hand on my back and gently shoves me in the direction of a couch. I almost glare at them, but I stop myself because I need to sit first.

I sit down, and jesus fuck that feels amazing. I say that every time I overwork myself (because I do it on the daily), but this takes the cake. The real pain is kicking in now because everything burns. It's my daily reality check.

I should really stop pushing my limits so often...not that I will ever stop. I hate myself.

While I am trying to catch my breath, a bottle of water appears in my sight- wait, when did I start looking at the floor? Whatever, I am not surprised. I usually lean forward whenever this happens.Either way, I shake my head no. While I would love water, getting water involves removing the most which involves throwing up cause I am not on the gas.

"No offense, but you look like you desperately need it," Yamada's voice surprises me for a moment. He is the one offering the water. I guess I expected it from Aizawa since he's been up my ass, but this makes sense too because he did seem the most concerned about the three.

I look up at Yamada, point at my mask, and huff, "Can't."

Yamada looks even more concerned, which I didn't think was possible but I digress, "Can't you remove it?" I raise my hand, signaling to him to let me catch my breath. That takes longer than it should, and I feel awkward because I feel all three of them watching me like I am about to croak. However, eventually, I can talk again.

"No. Health reasons," I decide to admit to. Sure, I could just tell them the whole reason, but I don't like talking about my health. Hell, I hardly tell my crew what is going on. They just know that I need to wear a mask and a lot of rest. Even if I were to tell them, there isn't a lot to say because I don't know what is going on specifically. It's just how it is. It has always been this way.

"So...you starve?" Kayama decides to say first, and I hear a soft 'ouch' with a thump. Damn deserved.

"I eat before and after work, you moron. Just not during."

"Hey, don't attack me! I don't know if whatever you are on is food or not!"

I straighten up from my slouch, "No, it's not a food source. It's medication. Can we stop talking about this please?"

"That seems serious-"

"Can it, Nemuri," Aizawa intervenes. Thank fuck, "The contract is on the table in front of you whenever you want to look at it." I look at the coffee table in front of me, and he is right. There is a very thick contract. Jesus christ. I snatch that bitch right up and start skimming through it.

"So he had enough time to make a contract but not to see me?"

"He probably had it before he even offered you the job," Kayama informs me. I simply hum in response, and I scan through it.

To be honest, I am hesitant towards this. Yes, there's money involved. However, the issue is that they are not telling me something significant. It's very suspicious, and it's clear I have some sort of connection to this place given the number of people I know. Now that I think about it, was I being snuck in? Or maybe I am overthinking this?

Am I paranoid? I'm starting to think so, but you can't blame me!

Also, the contract is too good to be true. If that doesn't say anything, I don't know what does.

Before I can even finish reading the first couple of pages of the contract, I hear the door opening, and I can't help but look up. It's a good thing I did because I would have missed out on the big ass white rat entering the room on his hind legs wearing a suit. That big ass white rat also happens to be the principal of UA if research stands correctly.

No, this is not a fever dream.

The big ass white rat would have a smile as he approaches us, "Ah, you must be Mikumo. I am Nezu, the principal of UA! It is a pleasure to meet you. I have heard so much about you!" No shit. You seem like the type to stalk people for fun.

I set the contract down and straighten up, "Yeah, that's me. I'm surprised to see you so soon. When I was told you were busy, I was expecting to wait at least an hour." When I point this out, I do genuinely mean it because he came within ten minutes.

"I was not overly busy. I just shoved them out when I heard that you were on campus," Nezu explains as he waddles over and takes his place next to me, "Do you have any issues with it thus far?"

"Not yet. You have a high IQ quirk, yes?"

"Yes! I see you did your research."

I hum, letting Nezu know that I heard him. That may seem like a weird question, and, to be honest, it is. Actually, it probably seems quirkist. However, that is not my intention. I have a reason for asking.

It's just formed in a weird way. Remember how I said it seemed too good to be true? It is fitted for me specifically. Yes, Kayama said that it was prewritten, but there it is set up in such a strange way that works for me. Either this rat is stalking me, he took a good damn guess, or, like I keep saying about this place over and over, he knows me.

I can't really explain how. You'll just have to believe me. Even if the contract isn't a sign, I am still uncomfortable with this. This is some suspicious ass behavior. It's suspicious enough that I decide to not read through the entire contract.

"Is something the matter?" Nezu asks when I set the contract down on the coffee table.

"No, everything is good. I just realized that I want to see what I am working with before I consider this," I make-up on the spot. I swear Nezu's smile gets wider in response.

"Oh, I see. I completely understand. Well, there is nothing stopping you. Feel free to explore as much of the campus as you like. Do you need an escort?" Holy shit, this is working out perfectly for me.

I decide to check Aizawa, Kayama, and Yamada's reaction to this, mostly out of curiosity, and I can see them looking at Nezu with a mix of reactions. Aizawa is glaring the rat down like he copied his aesthetic. Kayama is clearly apprehensive about this whole ordeal. Yamada looks surprised, but I wouldn't perceive it as a negative emotion.

I shake my head no as I stand up, "Nah, I'd rather get the natural experience." The experience without y'all trying to interfere, please and thank you.

"That is perfectly fine by me. If you get lost, feel free to ask a student or a teacher as they are more than happy to help, and I hope you enjoy your time here!"

"I will!"

This works perfectly in my favor! Holy shit, shit is going my way, everyone! HALLELUJAH!

Before anybody can stop me (specifically Aizawa), I walk out while avoiding eye contact with everyone. As soon as I leave the lounge and close the door behind me, it is time to activate the 'find my past bully and figure out what is going on with this place' plan! Certainly far from my best plan, but it's the only one I can see at the moment.

I activate my quirk, and I find that Bakugo is still on campus. That is fantastic news because I am just now realizing that this is usually the time schools let students out, yet it seems like a lot of them, if not all of them, are still on campus. There isn't anything to complain about, I suppose. If they offer me information, then it works to my advantage. It just works to my disadvantage right now because I am having to sort through all the names and shit to find Bakugo's.

Once I lock-on Bakugo's, I start navigating the halls to it. I have a target, so it's certainly easier to get to since I know the location. I just hope to god he is not too far away because I don't want to collapse because they make their campus too damn large.

It surprisingly doesn't take me long. Once I was out of the building I was in, it was less than a five minute walk to get to the building Bakugo is in called 1-A Alliance. Yeah, my locating skills with this quirk aren't great either. I thought he was going to be much farther, but I am not complaining.

The current question now is whether or not I am allowed in this building...and quite frankly, I don't care about the answer, especially if they are unwilling to tell me information about myself.

Therefore, I do not hesitate to enter.

Inside, I am surprised to find that I am not introduced to a training room or a hallway but what looks like a bigass living room with tons of teens scattered across it.

All of those teens that happened to turn to face me as soon as I opened that door. They are staring me down like I am a foreigner, which I am technically but I'm allowed here.

I step inside and close the door behind me, and there is still no response. It's like they expect something out of me. Why is UA weird?

I break the ice first, "Hello?"

And just like that, the teens snap out of their stupor. Their eyes widen and smiles decorate their faces as they approach me as if I offered them a million dollars at least.

"IZUKU!"

"MY BRO!"

"HOMIE!"

"TWIN!"

"EVERYONE, PLEASE SETTLE DOWN AND GIVE HIM SPACE!"

Holy shit, within the snap of a finger, I am surrounded by teenagers. Considering I do not recognize any of them and I am in my 20s, I'm not the comfiest. Also, there's that Izuku again. Everyone thinks I am Izuku. Once is nothing. This is technically twice, which is a coincidence, but also, there are a bunch of people so I think that works against that fact.

There's something odd here.

I raise my arms to try and give myself a little bit of distance from them, "Hey, excuse me, but space? Please? If this is y'alls reaction, I really need to talk to you guys. But first, can we sit?"

"Um, yeah, of course!" The round brunette with the tag Uraraka responds, but I can tell that she is confused. Everyone seems confused really, which includes me because how do I know these people? Also, Bakugo is not part of this crowd. Where is the little bastard?

I am led to the couches, and we all sit around in a circle. Once we settle down, there is awkward silence. That's kind of rare considering I am involved, but I am unsure of how to start this.

Yet again, when am I ever sure? Well, I am sure that I should start this conversation. Otherwise, I would practically just be leading them on.

After a moment of consideration, I take my first swing, using the tone I typically do for everyone at the shelter, "I am Mikumo Atanki, and I'm going to be straight with everyone here: I don't know anybody here. I know I know you guys somehow because your names are appearing for me, but I don't remember you. My memory is shit, to be frank."

There is silence for a moment. Well, excluding a few murmurs I suppose.

Then, the frog girl Asui breaks it, "That's why you looked at us like that, ribbit."

"Yeah, I thought it was odd too," Yaoyorozu, a proper girl, adds. I nod, letting them know that I heard.

"Well, you have to remember something if you found us, right?" Pinky Ashido asks.

I shake my head no and face her with a confused look, "No, that was through a different thought process. Do you still genuinely believe that I am Izuku?"

"Well, yeah! Sure, you look different, but it's definitely you!"

"Statistically speaking, seven other people in the world can look like me."

"Sure, but you're really something else."

"Uh-huh!" It takes me a moment to find the invisible girl Hagakure.

Uraraka joins, "I agree. I deny UA would just let anybody that looks like you in, especially with everything going on." Huh, I wonder...

"Supposably, I was brought in to help with security. Would that be an area that they would call outside help for?" I question. Uraraka turns to Yaoyorozu and engine boy Iida for an answer.

"UA's security is top-of-the-class and is built by Nezu and Powerloader, but I believe that Izuku helped with security this year." I hum because shit. I don't know what to say about that.

"Nobody told you?" Uraraka inquires.

"No, I didn't even know this place existed until this morning," I tell her.

Kirishima, a red-head boy, speaks up, "Hold up, so you know our names, but you somehow forgot that UA existed?"

"That's a totally different story. I know your names through my quirk."

The class looks at me like I am nuts. Then..."QUIRK?!" The class yells out, nearly deafening me. I am so confused.

"Uh, yeah? Is that a problem?" I ask. Everyone looks at each other, trying to see who will budge and answer my question.

Iida takes responsibility, "You see, Izuku was quirkless." Oh shit, hallelujah! That means I can't be Izuku!

"So I can't be Izuku. This was all a big misunderstanding."

"No..." Iida answers hesitantly.

That's when the half white half red Todoroki intervenes, "Izuku is missing a right arm."

I click my tongue at Todoroki, "I mean, I am too, but that's a coincidence-"

Ashido blurts out, "Oh, you call it Mister Stubby!"

"...I am really hating these coincidences, y'all," That's when I remember my objective, "Where's Bakugo? He can confirm this for me."

"I'll go get him!" Kirishima exclaims as he gets up and dashes to the stairs.

"Of course you remember your childhood bully," Uraraka sighs.

I take a guess, "Izuku got bullied by him too?"

"Mikumo, you are Izuku!"

"You can't blame me for questioning it!"

"Yes we can!"

I raise my hands, "Alright alright, this isn't going to get us anywhere. Can y'all tell me what y'all know about Izuku?"

"Well, YOU are in our class."

"...how many grades did I fail?"

Pikachu Kaminari tilts his head, "You failed a grade too?"

Jirou, the amp girl, rolls his eyes, "No, you dumbass. His memories are mixed up so he probably doesn't know his age." Mixed up? That's something I should remember.

"Oh."

I signal for Uraraka to continue, and she does, "You didn't? You're 16...how old do you think you are?"

"I am 24."

"With a face like that?"

"I got fantastic genetics."

Uraraka groans, "You can figure that out later. You're in our class...more like was, but we still consider you part of the class!"

"You became Nezu's student, which is scary because he failed Kaminari and me," Ashido continues, "Then...I don't know what happened. It's weird how much you moved around." That fits why Nezu made the contract so fitting to me.

Iida chops his arm in annoyance of Ashido, "He became a teacher assistant!"

"Oh yeah!"

"And after there...we don't really know. Overtime, you sort of withdrew from us. Before you disappeared, we hadn't seen you at all because you got sick," Uraraka finishes.

I furrow my eyebrows, "Disappeared?"

"Over two months ago, you disappeared. We were only told that because we started questioning Aizawa about it since he was so close to you."

"I see...is there anything else-?" That's when I get interrupted by a very familiar yell.

"DEKU, WHERE THE FUCK HAVE YOU BEEN?!" Bakugo yells as he storms down the stairs and approaches me with Kirishima hurrying behind him.

I can't help the grin that appears under my mask, "Buddy old pal, how are you?"

"ANSWER THE DAMN QUESTION?! YOU HAVE THE FUCKING BALLS TO DISAPPEAR FOR TWO DAMN MONTHS AND WALTZ ON BACK LIKE THE DUMBASS YOU ARE!"

"Well, you see, I don't remember shit. The only reason I am here is because a few UA teachers brought me here for a job offering and they were kinda sus."

"Oh my fucking- OF COURSE YOU PULL THIS SHIT OFF!"

"Less screaming, more answering my question: Bakugo, what's my real name besides Deku? Genuine question."

Bakugo growls, "It's Izuku Midoriya! Don't tell me you forgot that?!"

"I go by Mikumo Atanki, so I guess...if that's actually me." Bakugo facepalms hard.

"You fucking dumbass, that's your alter egos name!"

"Alter ego?"

"You had this whole other personality just so you could pull shit off you couldn't otherwise!" Well, that's an answer at least.

"Now that I think about it, wasn't Mikumo Atanki the person who made the contract for Aizawa and Izuku to keep their connection quiet?" Yaoyorozu brings from memory.

"I believe so, yes," Iida replies, "So Izuku made that contract...that's illegal!" I think that's the least of our worries right now, sir.

I don't say anything at first. I am considering my information. This is so much information, yet there is so much that is missing as well. It certainly doesn't help that I wasn't searching for any of this in the first place, and I am being highly skeptical about it. I want to believe them. However, that's a huge semi of basic bullshit that just got slammed into me. I can't accept it until I get firm facts. Sure, Bakugo pretty much confirmed a lot for me, but I just want a little more.

Or maybe I am unwilling to accept it. I don't know, but I want- no, need more.

While everyone is chattering around me about their own topics, I interrupt, "Is there any way I could prove what you guys are saying is true?"

"Google it," Kaminari recommends. Yeah, no.

"It could be in the school files, but I have no idea how you would get in them," Yaoyorozu suggests.

Other ideas are thrown around, but Bakugo yells above the rest, "Just go to your damn dorm! You have that shit on lockdown so nobody can get to it besides the teachers, and they probably can't even manipulate anything for how complicated you make it!"

I point at Bakugo and stand up, "Now that's my idea. Take me there."

"WHY ME?!"

"Cause you suggested it!"

"FINE, LET'S GO!" Bakugo storms out of the building.

Before he gets too far, I spin to everyone and nod, "Thank you for your help. If you will excuse me, I need to take care of boom boom demon!"

I chase after Bakugo before they even get a chance to respond.

Once I catch up to Bakugo, he seems to slow down when he notices my breathing, "You look like shit."

"I feel like shit," I huff. Bakugo only offers a grunt in response. Thank fuck, I don't wanna talk to him.

Just like with the previous building, the new building is only a five minute walk away. However, unlike before, we do not use the main entry. Instead, Bakugo leads me to a side entry that looks like a little patio almost.

"That's to your dorm. Figure out the rest," Bakugo grumbles as he turns around and walks away. However, he stops and adds one more thing, "And fix your damn head!"

Bakugo leaves on that note, and I choose not to add anything to that. I really don't need to be starting drama, especially when this doesn't seem like a place I am supposed to be. Nonetheless, if I am Izuku, I get full rights to this place anyway.

If I am not, sorry, Izuku. Please don't haunt me or kill me. Let me live my final year in peace!

I step on the welcome mat, and I am about to open the door when a camera suddenly pops out and looks me over. Imagine the confidence boost I got when it unlocked the door for me!

I don't hesitate to open the door and enter, and I'm surprised to find a fucking apartment! I enter a short hallway that has three doors on the right and one in front of me. Then, there would be a big opening that has what seems to be a kitchen and living room presumably.

I close the door behind me, and I walk through to find that the place is oddly empty. It looks like there is supposed to be stuff here. Sure, if this is me, I am not the most decorative. However, I still have stuff around. This place does have stuff, mind you. For example, there is a calendar on the fridge that is three months behind. It is just...very minimalist in the strangest way. Out of curiosity, I look through the cabinets and fridge to find some stuff there, but it's not a bunch.

The living room is even stranger because there's just a desk with nothing on it. There's signs of stuff being on it before, but there's nothing on it now. Given Izuku hasn't been here for two months, I supposed they could have moved some of it. That then leads to the question of why not all of it.

What the fuck did Izuku do?

I scan the place again to find one of the doors open. Turns out, it is the bedroom door. Usually, I would stay out of there, but there's actual things in there. I only hesitate for a second before entering.

Unlike out there, the bedroom is still intact. It makes sense. However, it's messy. The bed is unmade. There's neglected food on the side tables. There is a small pile of clothes on the floor. Honestly, it's far from the worst thing that I have ever seen, but it's not painting a pretty picture either. At least the room has personality, even if it is a little depressing. There is another door, but that leads me to the bathroom.

I'll check over this room later. There's three other doors I need to snoop in.

The one I face when I enter leads me to the rest of the building, so that's useless. The one closest to that is also useless because it goes to another apartment, which I think is weird but whatever.

Then, the final door opens to a lab. There's so much shit in this room, but it's organized and clearly taken care of...well, was given the dust, but we'll ignore that. Izuku took good care of this room. He also built plenty given the amount of shit he has.

However, there is one thing that stands out: a tablet set neatly on the workbench. I can't help but pick it up, and, once again, the camera lights up for a moment. Then, it unlocks to something very very interesting.

Jackpot.

- - -

Shouta's POV

We just brought Izuku back to UA, and it was hard. It was hard to watch Izuku struggle to walk to the train and to UA. It's so hard because I've watched him become so strong, and now he can hardly walk without struggling to breathe. It makes it harder as Izuku won't take a break.

By the time we finally got a chance to sit down, Izuku could hardly talk. He took a few minutes to stabilize his breathing. I'm glad I asked Nezu to have their conversation in the teacher's lounge instead of his office because I was afraid he wouldn't make it.

It's scary to think what could happen to Izuku if he is caught off-guard. In the past, I wouldn't doubt him, but I don't think he has a chance now if he ends up in trouble. He'll get worn out too quickly.

Finally, Izuku calmed down enough, and I realized that the contract Nezu made was on the table in front of him and told him about it. It's not surprising that Izuku went right to reading it. However, I can tell he doesn't trust it. I don't know what Nezu put in it, but Izuku has always been quick at recognizing these issues.

Eventually, Nezu joins us. Izuku engages in a short conversation with him as he reads the contract, but then he suddenly puts it down.

"Is something the matter?" Nezu asks when Izuku does so.

"No, everything is good. I just realized that I want to see what I am working with before I consider this," Izuku responds. I'm surprised. Usually, Izuku is more than willing to jump right to it. I can appreciate him being cautious, but why now?

"Oh, I see. I completely understand. Well, there is nothing stopping you. Feel free to explore as much of the campus as you like. Do you need an escort?" I can't help but glare Nezu down. Why would he offer that? Someone will recognize Izuku, and that will cause us more issues than any of us want to deal with. And Izuku being Izuku, he will make things more difficult.

Izuku shakes his head no as he stands up, "Nah, I'd rather get the natural experience."

"That is perfectly fine by me. If you get lost, feel free to ask a student or a teacher as they are more than happy to help, and I hope you enjoy your time here!"

"I will!"

Izuku doesn't even bother to look at us as he slips out, but my attention isn't on him. As soon as I hear the door close, I don't hesitate to interrogate Nezu, "Why did you let him go by himself? You know how much drama will start if someone sees him."

Nezu doesn't care as the smile remains on his face, "Drama is going to start no matter what. This is Izuku. Besides, you would have asked to go, and that would prevent me from talking to you about our next step."

"Is it major enough to let Izuku go by himself?"

"Yes, Aizawa. If I let any of you go with him and he didn't want that, it would make the situation worse."

"What situation?"

"You know, Aizawa." I can't help the huff of annoyance because of course I know. Izuku doesn't trust us. If Izuku wanted to be alone and we didn't let him, it would increase our chances of losing him. We have to gain his trust somehow.

Nemuri inquires, "And you think Izuku is okay? Like, he's not a villain?"

"Do you not trust him still?" Hizashi asks with concern.

"I do! It's just...this is Izuku. You two are more than willing to accept him back. I just don't want either of you getting hurt just because he's so damn smart that he figured out that you two have a soft spot for him. Again, I trust him, and I genuinely don't believe he is a villain, but one of us has to be logical. It's clearly not Shouta. This is just way too convenient. There has to be something else going on." Nemuri also isn't wrong.

"I agree," Nezu intervenes, "I do not believe Izuku is a villain in any way. However, I do believe there is a string attached somewhere. I deny Izuku is aware of it because he would either come back to us or, more likely, he would be on the run. It does not make any sense for him to settle down and build what he has if he knew."

I appeal, "But he had his memory adjusted. Couldn't All for One remove that so he believes he is safe?"

"Perhaps, but, again, Izuku is intelligent. He would have recognized a sign."

"So you're saying that nobody is following him, but All for One has an attachment to him somehow."

"Yes. We don't know what quirks All for One has. He could have placed a dormant quirk on him that only activates in certain conditions for example." This is just giving me a headache. What the fuck has Izuku been through, and why did he have to get his memories removed practically?

"Even if that is the case, why let Izuku run? We managed to get him back. That should work against him."

Hizashi issues a point, "What if that wasn't part of the plan? Maybe he didn't think Izuku would get back here."

Nemuri nods, "That would make sense."

"That would explain one point, but that doesn't get us any closer to the answer," I insert.

Nezu says, "You are correct, but I do not believe we need that answer right now. I deny establishing a motive for All for One's every move will do anything for us given his actions. For now, we need to gain Izuku's trust and help him in case something does happen."

"I assume you have a plan if you're bringing it up."

"Of course. I believe the best course of action is telling Izuku the truth."

"That is literally the opposite of how we were going about this. That's going to put him in more danger."

"Yes, but Izuku is going to put himself in danger to figure out the truth. He knows something is wrong, and he is likely searching for the answer now. That is why he wanted to investigate UA first before signing the contract." God fucking damn it, Izuku.

I don't say anything because what am I supposed to say to that? I should have known better because this is Izuku. It feels like there is a disconnect between us. I know I haven't been around him for months and that he is a new person, but it's still him. Yet, I'm struggling to figure him out again. It's like the first year I knew him all over again except he has less energy.

"I'm sorry," Hizashi interrupts suddenly with a shaky tone, causing all of us to look at him, "It's my fault. All of this, from his pain to him losing his memories to bringing him here and making him suspicious of us."

Hizashi, no...he looks so sad. I never want to see him like that. Not again.

I move to stand in front of Hizashi and place my hands on his shoulders.

I tell Hizashi softly but firmly, "None of this is your fault. You do the best you can for Izuku, and everyone knows that Izuku is far from the easiest kid to take care of. The blame isn't on him either. It's All for One's fault. It's not your fault. It's not Izuku's fault. It's not our fault. Do you understand?"

Nemuri joins me, "Yeah, you did amazing for the hell you were given, Zashi. Wallowing about the past isn't going to help him. We need to focus on the now to help Izuku."

Hizashi nods, taking a moment to respond before huffing, "Yeah...alright. I'm sorry."

"Stop apologizing or I will kiss you." I can't help but glare at Nemuri, and it just earns me a smirk. Sometimes, I can't tell whether Izuku or Nemuri is more of a brat. Either way, she needs to fuck off.

"Ew." This is part of why I love him.

"Exactly."

I sigh, turning my attention back to Nezu, "We need to tell Izuku before he learns too much."

"Correct," Nezu informs me, "He should have had plenty of time to learn the basics at least, but, if he learns everything, it certainly will not help his trust levels."

"Can you tell us where he is?"

"Of course," Nezu spins to his little computer and looks through all his cameras quickly. However, a confused look appears on his face for a moment. It takes him a little longer, but a soft 'ah' escapes him when he figures out the answer, "He's in his dorm." I am not surprised, but I have no idea how he would have figured out which place is his dorm in the first place.

"How the fuck did he find that place?" Nemuri questions. Nezu shrugs with a bigger smiler. Damn rat.

"We can ask him ourselves. Come on," I tell Hizashi and Nemuri as I move to leave. It doesn't take long for them to follow.

Within a few minutes, we're just outside of his dorm. Honestly, I haven't been in here since I woke up. How am I supposed to when the room feels desolate without him? He is the heartbeat of that room.

I look back at Hizashi and Nemuri to make sure they were ready. Once I get a nod, I open the door and enter.

Izuku would be sitting at his desk with the tablet he used before in front of him. He would be leaning back in his chair with his eyes closed. When we come inside and close the door, Izuku opens his eyes and watches us with visible mistrust just like the first time we saw him. He sits up and faces us.

Izuku speaks to us with a tired but firm voice,

"I want the truth."