[ Before retrieving the "Seed of Wisdom," with Deku - ]

Deku:
"..." Deku was walking as he was thinking about something

("I don't know why... but I have a feeling that something is going to happen later... We're on a good track for now but something tells me that we're in trouble.")

[ As Deku drifted off into his own world, he caught snippets of a heated argument between two people - ]

Woman:
"What's causing you to act like this way? I'm only trying to help you out, dear!"

Man:
"Just leave me alone! I'm not a mood to even talk to you right now, like you even understand of how I feel right now!"

Deku:
"!" Deku's eyes widened when he heard that sentiment

Woman:
"I know that your sister passed away from an illness but what's making you feel so angry -
SHOVED!

Man:
"Just go away! Making things worse for me right now!"

[ As Deku witnessed a man's harsh words turned into violent actions as he pushed his female partner to the ground and marched away, leaving his tearful partner behind - ]

Deku:
"..." Deku rushed over to the woman's side to assist her.

"Excuse me miss, but are you okay?" Deku politely helped her up, then he sees a little red wound to her knee.

Woman:
*Sniff*
"I-I'm okay... just got into an argument with my fiancé.

Deku:
"There's a bench nearby, let's take a seat and I'll do my best to heal your wound. It might take a few minutes, but I'll get you fixed up."

Woman:
"Okay..." Deku carefully helps the woman to sit down on the bench peacefully and without any fuss, allowing her to catch her breath and regain her composure. Now he's treating her wound, then he asked her a question.

Deku:
"Um, miss, I apologize for sticking my nose in your business but... what was the fuss about? It's fine if you don't want to."

Woman:
"Well, a few days ago... my fiancé's little sister passed away from an illness. She wasn't feeling well, so my fiancé was upset that his one and only sister died. Now, he's just... angry and sad about it and I tried to be there for him but... he's..."

Deku:
"It's fine, you don't have to explain anymore." Deku finished treating the woman's wound

(😔)
("Just like me... when things went down to hell for me when I lost my family - Yuuki was trying to do the same thing like this situation...)

[ Flashback - ]

Deku:
"They didn't care from back then, Yuuki! I did open myself up but they decided to not care about me! I was just there for no reason! Now they suddenly care?! I tried everything I can to show that I care about them and wanted to be a good friend to them but I did all that for nothing! With Kirito, I tried to help him so he won't feel alone in that game! But he just keeps denying my offer many times! And with Asuna, I wish I should've stayed hating her guts! She only pay attention to Kirito, acting like I wasn't even there! Treating me like a pest!!! And what gives you the right to say I regret of saying how I feel! You weren't even there! Not even you or anyone else understand how l feel, what I been through!!!"

[ Deku suddenly barked at his girlfriend! Making Yuuki scared of him by his anger - ]

Yuuki:
"......" Yuuki was crying as tears running down her cheeks

Deku:
"Oh no!" Deku covered his mouth as he realizes he hurt Yuuki's feelings for yelling at her. "Yuuki! I'm -

Yuuki:
"I'm sorry! I just wanted to help you... because I love you. I know your suffering because of the mark and now you're family is gone... but you're not the only one in this world who had bad experiences in your life!! Yuuki sprinted away from Deku

[ End of Flashback - ]

Deku:
"(I made the same mistake like that, and I REFUSE to let anyone else go through the same thing like I did!)"

"Well, just sit tight, miss. I'll be right back."

Woman:
"What are you going to do?"

Deku:
(😁)
"A little chat, miss." As Deku, exits the scene, a stealthy observer keeps a low profile, having witnessed the entire situation without being seen.

???:
"Deku-kun..."

[ Then with Deku was able to track down the woman's fiancé - ]

Deku:
"Hey, mister."

Man:
"Huh?! Who are you?! What do you want?"

Deku:
"You don't need to know my name. And "what I want" is you to go back and apologize to your fiancé."

Man:
"What happened between us has nothing to do with you. You don't know about the situation we're in right now!" His tone was loud

Deku:
"You better lower your tone, it's not going to help you. Plus, your fiancé was trying to help you because she loves you, man. She's there because of the loss of your kin, you're angry and depressed because of your kin's passing."

Man:
"She told you?! Can't believe it!"

Deku:
"Look, don't blame her for that, it's your fault that you started the whole commotion in public, plus you pushing your love to the ground like that is unacceptable." Then the man marched to Deku

Man:
"Look here kid! I'm going through with it because I don't have any other family members right now-!"
GRABBED COLLAR!
"I wanted to be there for my family! I wanted to make sure that everything's going smoothly for them and for myself! But now, there're all gone! One by one! The only sibling who I love dearly is gone! No one left! How can you understand what I'm going through right now, huh?!"

Deku:
PEACEFULLY GRABBED HAND!

Man:
*Gasped*

Deku:
"..."

[ As the man marched and grabbed Deku's collar and lashed out at Deku, Deku peacefully grabbed his hand and smiled. The man was in shocked to see his smile but sees the sadness in his eyes - ]

Man:
("This kid's hand... it... feels so beaten up and damaged. It feels like... he been through something so terrible as well...")

Deku:
(🙂)
"Trust me, I know, I been through hell myself. All because I love my family too, y'know."

Man:
"..."

Deku:
(🙂)
"I've lost my only known family members, three cousins, to a senseless act of violence that occurred just a day after I turned 18, leaving me with unbearable grief. I don't know anyone else who I'm related to, and yet, I'm still alive today. No siblings, other cousins, uncles or aunts, grandparents. Just me and only me."

Man:
"Just you? Then... how are you able to survive without them? How are you able to live your life without feeling sad?!" The man loosen up his grip

Deku;
"Good question, I've been fortune enough to meet a good amount of friends prior to this, and I'm grateful for those connections and I'm still sad about it but eventually I have no choice but to get over it sooner or later." Deku thought of his late family members.

(🙂 - 😔)
"And plus, like you, I know a lovable angel who knows what it's like to be alone, struggling to live and survive life. She's incredibly kind, strong, wise, always have a lovely smile, and yet, she wants to help me out but I ended up lashing out at her, abandoning and brutalizing her."

Man:
"!"

Deku:
"It's a long story, but, what I'm trying to say is, I'm truly lucky that I have a second chance of atoning for my bad deeds, and I was lucky enough to see her again and she was able to forgive me and welcome me back with open arms. And I'm glad that I have someone like her into my life. I want to make things right for her, as I made her suffer so much pain because of my stupid ideals."

Man:
"That's deep..."

Deku:
"It is. I want to spare others the same struggles I faced, which is why I'm taking action now. And plus, you don't want to take your fiancé for granted, you never have a woman like her who is that lovable, faithful and devoted to you in the first place. You'll end up regretting it even more if you did let her go, you'll end up losing her too and it'll be too late." Then the man's starting to shed tears.

"So, it's true that you don't have any more family members but at the end of the day, you still have your fiancé. You're not completely alone yet, mister. So, you need to go back to her and apologize for your actions and tell her that you're grateful to have a beautiful and a lovely woman like her in your life."

Man:
"Yes... Y-You're right. I'll go back and apologize... and I'm sorry for lashing out at you too, and thanks... for giving me a reality check."

Deku:
"It's my pleasure, mister. C'mon, she's waiting for you."
.
.
.
.
.
.

[ Deku's intervention helped the couple reconcile, and they were able to communicate effectively once again. The man apologized for his behavior and the woman happily accepted his apology. They thanked Deku, and they were able to start things over in a clean slate. ]

Deku:
(🙂)
"Well, glad that was settled in a good way. Felt really jolly when they looked happy again..." Then Deku thought of something to himself.

"Yuuki..." Deku thought of Yuuki Konno

Yuuki:
(😊)
"Deku-Kun!"

Deku:
(😔)
"...It still hurts my heart and soul that I brutalized an innocent angel like Yuuki. I ultimately wish that I can spend some more time with Yuuki... when all this is over." Then Deku starts take a breath before starting to sing again

???:
"Is he starting to sing again? Hm, I wanna know what he's singing about this time." The mysterious person secretly gets closer to Deku

Deku:
"Yuuki..." Deku said Yuuki's name and then begins to sing

*Singing*
~"Well, good things don't last, and life moves so fast."
~"I'd never ask who was better."
~"Cause she couldn't be, more different from me."
~"Happy and free in life."

~"And I know that you love me, you don't need to remind me."
~"Wanna put all behind me, but baby."
~"I see her in the back of my mind."
~"All the time."

~"Feels like a fever."
~"Like I'm burning alive."
~"Like a sign."
~"Did I cross the line, Yuuki Konno?"

[ As Deku was singing... he suddenly stopped and noticed someone's presence... and the person was close enough for Deku to react but - ]

Deku:
"..."

???:
*Softly Giggles*
"Hehe."

Deku:
TURNS AROUND!
"..." Deku turns around and sees no one else in his sights

(😅)
("Does she think I'm blind to her sneaky presence lurking behind me? She's REALLY CLOSE right now. She's such a goofball.")

LOOKS LEFT AND RIGHT!

[ As Deku keeps looking around to see who's tailing behind him... for 10 - 30 seconds later, Deku stop his movements - ]

Deku:
*Inhale, Exhale*
FLASHED!

???:
"Woah-! He disappeared?! That was super fast-!"

Deku:
"BOO!"

???:
"AHHH!"

[ Deku stop his tracks and move in unimaginable speed that makes it looks and sounds like he disappears, then he reappears again in front of the person who was secretly tailing him and it was Yuuki Konno - ]

Yuuki:
(😅)
"Ahh... H-heya Deku-Kun... What's up."

Deku:
(🙂)
"What's up, you little goofy stalker. Why are you trying to secretly follow me? I'd appreciate it if you could be more open about your intentions, Yuuki."

Yuuki:
(😅)

"Ah... heheh! Well, to tell you the truth, I wanna see you. So I wanna be secret-secret, ya know." Yuuki rubs her head

Deku:
(😅/😔)
"I swear... you're starting to make things unpredictable for me, I know one thing you're going to do but not the other..." Deku sounded so tired of Yuuki's relentless unexpected twists

Yuuki:
(😁)
"Hahaha! Yep, I know! That's the best way of me getting the upper hand. That's my love language."

Deku:
(😶)
"Uh-huh... I bet it is."" Deku sighed nonchalantly

"Anyway, what's up?"

Yuuki:
(😁)
"I wanna spend some time with you. Doing whatever with you is always a blast. And I think it's important for you to take a break, I know that you're busy lately but you're doing a great job."

Deku:
"I'm good, I don't need a break."

Yuuki:
"Don't you think it's time for a little rest? When did you last take a break and relax?"

Deku:
(😶...🤔)
"Um... since we left the Inn."

Yuuki:
"Yep. So let's go somewhere and relax for a little bit." Yuuki reaches out, grabs his hand, and leads him away as they walk together. Then she speaks to him

"So... Deku-Kun..."

Deku:
"What's up."

Yuuki:
(😏)
"You wanna sit down in a bench or wanna go somewhere else more private?"

Deku:
"Somewhere more private."

Yuuki:
"Alrighty."

Deku:
( 😶 - 😑)
"And what's up with that smirk on your face? I hope you don't plan on getting me into trouble again..." He sounds nonchalant but a bit irritated

Yuuki:
(😅 - 😊)
"Oh come on, I already apologized for putting you in that position. It'll be the two of us alone together, I promise, my darling."

Deku:
(😳)
"D-Darling?"

Yuuki:
(😏)

"Yeah, "darling." I've never seen you respond to a nickname like this before, the way you're blushing right now. What's going on, big boy?"

Deku:
"...Well, I don't remember you ever calling me "darling" before... so this is new to me."

Yuuki:
"Well, we're together, so it's natural to call each other cute nicknames."

Deku:
"True..."

("Nicknames, huh?")

(😁)
"Hmm... okay, I'll roll with it, my beautiful angel."

Yuuki:
( 😶 - 😁)
"Angel? ...I really like it. Hehe, okay, I'm your angel and you're my darling.

Deku:
"Yep, definitely."

(😅)
("Oh man... I still have a lot to learn about relationships...")

[ Yuuki was able to find a little alley where they can have their alone time together - ]

Yuuki:
"Okay, this should be good. Now we can relax."

Deku:
"Alrighty then." Deku sat down on the ground and lean against the wall, taking a moment to relax

Yuuki:
"Okay, my turn to take a sit down, excuse me -"

Deku:
( 😶 - 😳)
"Hmm-?! Woah-!" Deku received an unexpected and unwanted surprise - a face almost full of Yuuki's backside as she crouched down and sits on his lap

THUD!

Yuuki:
(😁)
"Ahh! That's more like it!" Yuuki moves her lower half body to get more comfortable in his lap

Deku:
(😳/🥴)
*Shyly smiling*
"Y-Yuuki..."

Yuuki:
(🙂)
"Yeah, what's up?" Yuuki said with her innocence tone of voice

Deku:
(🤭)
*Not trying to smile*
"Ahh... don't get me wrong but... why are you sitting my lap...?"

Yuuki:
(😏)
"Hmm?" Look at Deku.

"Why not? You did lay your head on my lap before, now I wanna sit on your lap, you're my comfy seat, darling." Then Yuuki gets comfortable as she takes the opportunity to tease Deku

(😏)
"And also... try not to poke my butt with your big "Pinocchio stick," okay." Yuuki said in her teasing voice tone, then Deku calmed down and smirk as well

Deku:
(😏)
"...Okay. I'll keep that in mind..."
WRAPPED ARM AROUND WAIST!

Yuuki:
(😯)
"?"

Deku:
(😏)
"Besides... I don't know if I can control my "Dragon Urges" anymore if you keep arousing me, Yuuki." Deku wrapped his arm around Yuuki's waist and pulls her closer to him. Then he whispered to her ear.

(😏)
*Whisper, using seductive tone*
"Plus, you better be careful, as your actions might come back to haunt you. Keep that in mind, okay, my good little angel." As Deku's smooth voice and flirtatious moves have Yuuki blushing like crazy as a fresh tomato - she's totally smitten!

Yuuki:
(😳)

"W-w-woah! S-Since when you act like this?!" Yuuki was surprised by Deku's sudden change

Deku:
(😏)
"Ohhh, so now you're surprised?! Not acting so superior now, are you? Now you don't wanna tease me anymore because you definitely didn't expect me to act like this."

Yuuki:
(😅)
"Y-Yeah... the way you talk with your tone of voice... that was really a big shock to me."

Deku:
(😏)
"This is my way of showing me affection to you too, I ALSO have ways that you don't know of, y'know. Additionally, this is my love language as well."

Yuuki:
(😅)
"Okay... m-my bad... for getting too carried away."

Deku:
"It's fine, plus, I really don't care what we do, as long as we both doing things together, I'm happy."

Yuuki:
"Cool."

Deku:
"So, Yuuki... after this war, what you want to do?"

Yuuki:
"Hm? Um, well, I just want to be with you, that's all."

Deku:
"Hm... okay then."

[ Then a few minutes went by fast... and then Yuuki break the silence - ]

Yuuki:
"Deku-Kun... can I ask you something."

Deku:
"Yeah."

Yuuki:
"Y'know, I did miss you for five months... you know that right?"

Deku:
"Yeah. Both you and Alice mentioned it to me."

Yuuki:
"And I thought you wasn't coming back at all. Ya know, I was actually praying for you returning back home with us."

Deku:
"..."

Yuuki:
"The fact that the whole time I was trying to have high hopes that you'd recognize your mistakes and turn things around before it was too late."

Deku:
"..."

Yuuki:
"But I have to ask... what if you tried to come back to us and you never seen us all again, how would you feel?"

Deku:
(😔)
*Sigh*
"I'd be eaten away by the guilt of hurting you and the others who tried to help, and the fact that I thought I'd be gone as far as killing you all - it's a painful realization that's hard to swallow." Deku holds Yuuki tighter than before

Yuuki:
"..." Yuuki held his hand tighter and placed her left hand on top of his.

Deku:
"I really don't know if I wanted to live with that painful experience... but... I guess I would've just live my life, just living, taking things one day at a time, and hoping for better days ahead. So either way, I'd just live with the pain."

Yuuki:
"And you would still help the war?"

Deku:
"Yes... I want to help out people so they won't experience the same thing I went through. Even if I don't see you or anyone else again, I just live my life on my own, hoping for the best."

Yuuki:
"To be honest, I'd be lost without you, and I wouldn't stop searching for you, just like a puzzle piece that's missing its perfect match."

Deku:
"Are you doing it because you want to cheer me up? If that's the case, then it's fine. It's my choice, my decision to go that far."

Yuuki:
"I'm not just doing this because it's true, I'm doing it because I want to - I want to be there with you, to show you the bright side, and to prove that life's lemons can be turned into lemonade, even if it's just a small, sweet sip of happiness." 

Deku:
"Even after all I done, you still go that far just for me?" Deku said with a sad tone of his voice

Yuuki:
( 😁/😊)
"Of course I will. I've got your back, always! Even if you take a wrong turn, I'll be right there with you. And if you try to push me away again, I'll hold on tighter!"

Deku:
"..." Deku looks a bit sad after hearing Yuuki's words

("Just like my parents left me behind... and they're gone. I'm just like my parents - Leaving my friends behind - I thought I wasn't going to see them again... but I got truly lucky as I get to have a chance to see them once more, they were able to forgive me... and glad that I was alive.")

Yuuki:
"So, Deku-Kun..." Yuuki looks at Deku

Deku:
"Yeah, Yuuki?"

Yuuki:
"I wanna hug you." Deku let Yuuki go, as she got up and turned around and sat on his lap again as she embraced him.

"So, how you feel now?"

Deku:
"...I feel a mix of sadness and happiness."

Yuuki:
"It's okay if you're not completely happy now, it takes time... so if I were you, I'd just be positive and keep doing good things. It'll go by fast for sure."

Deku:
"Okay. I got it."

Yuuki:
"Good, and also -
HANDS ON THE WALL - HOVERING

"I wanna kiss you too."

Deku:
(😊)
"Lead the way, Yuuki."

[ Yuuki leans in and lands a kiss on Deku's lips. Once again, Deku's lips lock with Yuuki's sweet, tender kiss that's the icing on his happiness cake. ]

[ Yuuki cupped his face, her hands a warm embrace, and caressed his cheeks with all the love in her heart. As they kissed, their eyes remained closed, and their senses came alive, heightened by the gentle touch and affection they shared. They shared a 5-minute kiss that was so all-consuming, they forgot to breathe until they finally parted lips along with their string of saliva connected - ]

Yuuki:
"Hehe... I really love kissing you. I can definitely give it my all without holding any -

LEANS IN - SEXILY LICKS - HEAVY, SWEET CHU!

[ Deku took the opportunity to lean in and licks off the saliva string and gave Yuuki a big and sweet kiss on Yuuki's lips, leaving her dumbfounded - ]

Deku:
( 😏 - 😁 )
"Hehe, that's me returning the favor from the last time we kissed. And I agree, giving it your all without holding anything back. Is that right?"

Yuuki:
"Hahaha! Yeah, that's right!" Yuuki smiled at Deku.

"Well, as much as I love to keep loving you but we gotta get back to work."

Deku:
"Yeah." Yuuki stepped off Deku, and he quickly regained his footing, then they exited the alleyway

Yuuki:
"Did you enjoy your little break?"

Deku:
"Yeah... I feel more better now. Thanks to you - you're always there for me, no matter what. I promise I'll return the favor when you're need some love and everything."

Yuuki:
"It's my pleasure, Deku-Kun. We're together, we're partners, we're a team! And I'll be looking forward to it too!"

Deku:
"Absolutely. 100% guaranteed!"

("Just be positive. Just keep moving forward with your head held high with your friends - your new family!")

[ Then with Kirito and Dorothy - ]

Kirito:
"Well then, with Shasta and Lipia's lead, we can head to the Giant Territory."

Dorothy:
"Lord Shasta and Lady Lipia are with us... I must show them my very best side!" Then someone shouted out their names

Yuuki:
"Hey, Kirito, Dorothy!" Then Kirito and Dorothy turn their attention to Yuuki and Deku

Kirito:
"Oh, hey, Yuuki and Deku."

Dorothy:
"Hello, Yuuki, Deku. You two doing well?"

Yuuki:
"Hehe, yeah, we are. Thanks for asking."

Deku;
"Are you guys going to go to Shasta?"

Kirito:
"Yeah, we are right now."

Deku:
"Great, we're coming too."

Kirito:
"Cool. The more the merrier, right, Dorothy?"

Dorothy:
"Yes, I definitely agree with it. Well, let's go."

Kirito:
"Yeah."

[ As Kiroto and the others met up with Shasta and Lipia, they began their journey to the Giant Territory - ]

Kainan:
"Everyone, we're approaching the Giant Territory. Push through the monsters!"

Yuuki:
"Got it!"

Deku:
"Let's go!"
.
.
.
.
.
.
Deku:
"Black Dragon: Shadow Possession!"
BLACK ENERGY SHROUDED - ZOOMED! SHADOW STING!
"Get 'em, Yuuki!"

Yuuki:
"On it-!"
DASHED - MULTIPLE QUICK SLASHES!
"Your turn, Dorothy!"

Dorothy:
"The name of the ever-victorious is Dorothy Isaiah Elisheva. Through this prayer shall they be granted protection, and the God of Calamity -

DASHED - SLASHED! SPINNING SCYTHE - BOOM!!!

Yuuki:
(😁)
"All right! We beat it! Great job Dorothy!" Yuuki looked at Dorothy with excitement as she raised her hand, awaiting a high five, and said to her

Dorothy:
(🙂)
"Thank you, Yuuki. You too."
HIVE FIVE!

Yuuki:
(😁)
"Up top, Deku-Kun!" Yuuki did the same thing to Deku

Deku:
(😁)
"Up top."
HIGH FIVE!

Kirito:
"Hey, Dorothy. You're looking sharper than ever with a blade these days."

Deku:
"Yeah, you're on a roll right now."

Dorothy:
"Oh! Ah, um, you see, Lord Shasta and Lady Lipia are with us, so..."

Deku:
"Wanted to show them of what you're capable of. That's understandable."

Dorothy:
"Yes! I want to show off all my best points.

Yuuki:
"What you just did was amazing. So, I'm sure you'll do great."

Dorothy:
"Thank you."

Kirito:
"Speaking of which, Dorothy, what's that chant? Ever-victorious and whatnot."

Dorothy:
"Ah, that was something I learned from my father, as it happens. To quote him..."

"Apply the mono-myth to yourself. If you think you can be mythical, you WILL be."

Deku:
"...Hmm."

Dorothy:
"If you'd three like, you three could learn to use it for yourselves. But you must believe in it."

Yuuki:
"That makes sense. Using something to psych yourself up. The mono-myth..."

Kirito:
("- Wait. Wait, what the HELL? Hold on. How does she know that...)

"Hey, Dorothy? Can you explain what a "mono-myth" is?"

Deku:
"?!"

Dorothy:
"What? What is a... Um, I know it's a Sacred Tongue... It's the idea that elements of myth are shared."

Yuuki
"And you used words like these? On a daily basis?"

Dorothy:
"Yes?"

Kirito:
"Hey, so... Did you learn any more Sacred Tongue from this father of yours?"

Deku:
("What's Kirito trying to solve here?!")

Dorothy:
"Um - I remember a song about the heavens... "Twinkle, twinkle, little star..."

Kirito/Deku:
"..." (Kirito)
"!" (Deku)

Dorothy:
"Oh, a-another one? A song about something far, far away... It mentioned, um... "somewhere over the rainbow"?" Then Kirito and Deku looked shocked.

"Kirito, Deku... Please stop looking at me like that. I'm not making it up, it's real."

Deku:
"Sorry, I apologize... I was just... surprised by that, that's all."

Kirito:
"...And when you need to pump yourself up, it's "Eye of the Tiger" time, right?"

Dorothy:
"Wha! How did you -"

Kirito:
"Did he have a song for your birthday?"

Yuuki:
"Birthday song?"

Dorothy:
"Well, um."

Kirito/Dorothy/Deku/Yuuki:
"Happy Birthday to you! Happy birthday de-ar Do-ro-thyyyy!" (Kirito)
"Happy Birthday to you! Happy birthday de-ar Do-ro-thyyyy!" (Dorothy)
"Happy Birthday to you! Happy birthday de-ar Do-ro-thyyyy!" (Deku)
"Happy Birthday to you! Happy birthday de-ar Do-ro-thyyyy!" (Yuuki!)

- To be continued -