Chapter 25: Chapter 24 Farewell Embrace Part-1
After a heartfelt conversation with Mitsuki, she meticulously detailed the unfortunate events that had transpired with Izuku and revealed who was responsible for his predicament. Upon receiving such distressing news, Mitsuki felt a deep sense of disappointment towards her son and delivered an oral reprimand that Katsuki vehemently opposed, unwilling to hear any criticism directed at Izuku. In Katsuki's eyes, Izuku had devolved into a pitiful figure, and the nickname he had once borne now became a constant reminder of his perceived weakness. Anger surged within Katsuki, and he found himself blaming Izuku for his failures. Only one thought echoed in his mind:
— If it weren't for him, if it weren't for his words, I would have moved on without a care! Midoira's criticism was completely unwarranted; he had merely attempted to offer assistance, and the incident that transpired was nothing more than an unfortunate accident — a fortunate accident that seemed to satisfy Bakugo's sadistic ego, who was now confined to his room, reflecting on his behavior.
Meanwhile, as Izuku lay on his bed, he pondered what he could discuss with Nejire. The subjects of conversation were plentiful and seemingly endless, often leading to awkward silences between them. Izuku contemplated how he could achieve his dream of becoming a hero and strived to devise ways to realize that aspiration. He had resolutely refused to abandon his dream. His quirklessness was perceived as a challenge, motivating him to aspire to be the best hero he could possibly be for society.
Taking out the notebook that his mother had gifted him, he considered which hero to write about first. With a keen interest in quirks and all matters related to heroes, he decided to kick off his analysis with Nejire's quirk. She was his sole friend who brought joy into his life, and the fact that he was quirkless held no significance in her eyes. As Izuku approached his sixth birthday, he was aware that he would soon transition to elementary school. It was essential for him to spend as much time as possible with Nejire, for after the transition, their time together would inevitably diminish. Opening his notebook, he began jotting down all the information he had gathered about Nejire.
**Name:** Nejire Hado
**Quirk:** Wave
**Age:** 5 years
**Gender:** Female
Nejire had the remarkable ability to emit waves from her hands, though the source of this energy remained a mystery. Her waves were powerful enough to repel opponents and could even dazzle enemies, rendering them momentarily blinded by her quirk.
As he continued, Izuku realized he didn't know enough about Nejire's quirk to write much more in his notebook. He needed to rectify this and assist her in mastering her abilities. If he aspired to become a hero, it was vital for him to support those close to him, especially his mother.
The following morning dawned bright, and after having breakfast with his mother, Izuku donned his backpack and hurried off to meet Nejire, who was eagerly waiting for him in their secret hideout, concealed by bushes. Midoriya was deep in thought, trying to figure out how to properly express himself to her.
— Nejire, Nejire!!! — he called out, searching frantically for his friend, who seemed to have vanished. Izuku desperately scanned the area for her lavender hair amidst the lush greenery. Meanwhile, Nejire was playfully hiding from him, quietly giggling to herself while peeking out from the bushes. She began to entice him, drawing him closer until he was near enough for her to surprise him.
— Boo!!!
— Aaaa!!! — Izuku shrieked in shock, falling backward onto the ground as he stared at his giggling friend, who was teasing him mercilessly.
— Hahaha, you got scared again, freckle! But it's alright; you're one of the bravest people I know! — She extended her hand to help him up, brushing the dirt off his clothes. However, Izuku's demeanor was markedly different from his usual self; he seemed to radiate a brighter light than before.
— Nejire, look! — He pulled out his notebook from his bag, which was labeled "Hero Analysis #1." The first page featured Nejire, and she was captivated by Izuku's ideas, clapping her hands enthusiastically as she read through his notes.
— This is so clever, freckle! Where did you learn all of this? — She asked, her eyes sparkling with genuine interest as she continued to read.
— Well, um, I really admire heroes, and I thought that if I was quirkless, I could still help them somehow. I started this notebook because of you, when you told me that I could be a hero too. — After rereading the last line about a dazzling flash, she glanced at her hand, gathering energy from her surroundings to create a wave. Izuku was correct in some aspects, and once she deactivated her quirk, she leaped onto him, hugging him with such force that he felt himself turning pale from her strength.
— I knew you could fulfill your dream of being a hero, even without a quirk! That's so awesome! Just imagine how many heroes you could help in the future. I've told you before, if you don't become a hero, you'll always be mine! — Her words resonated deeply within Izuku, and he felt overwhelmed with happiness, which caused Nejire to empathize with him.
— Freckle, don't cry! Did I upset you in some way? Did I say something wrong? I'm so sorry! — She gently embraced him, offering her shoulder for him to rest his head on. The scent of her lavender hair was delightful, making Izuku breathe in deeper, and her soft strands tickled his cheek, making him reluctant to break free from her warm embrace. However, he eventually pulled himself away to calm his hyperactive friend.
— N-Nejire, those were tears of joy! No one has supported my dream as emphatically as you have! — His words ignited a spark in Nejire's eyes, as she motivated him to continue moving forward, regardless of his quirklessness; they complemented each other beautifully.
— That's so nice to hear, Izuku! But dry your tears; it doesn't suit you. Oh, let's try what you wrote in your notebook! Maybe you were right about it! — Wiping her tears with her hand, Izuku's researcher mode activated with new energy. After they both drank some water, they stepped into a clearing that had nothing more than a few stones scattered on the ground.
— Come on, Nejire, you can do it! — Hearing his encouraging words, Nejire took a deep breath, looking ahead as she extended her hand and activated her quirk. The wave surged toward the nearest tree, causing it to tremble under the force of her ability. A side effect of Nejire's quirk was fatigue if she used it too often, which Izuku noticed after several attempts. Midoriya ran over to her, sitting beside her as she took a moment to catch her breath after repeatedly using her quirk.
— Here, Nejire, this should help you! — Izuku handed her a bottle of water, which she gratefully accepted, as her quirk affected her stamina, leaving her extremely thirsty.
— Thank you, freckle! — However, Izuku didn't focus on her gratitude; instead, he continued jotting down new strategies to help improve her skills. Observing her, Midoriya realized that when she used her quirk, energy was produced that repelled her, but if that energy was redirected to her legs rather than her hands, it would essentially mean she could levitate at the age of five.
— Izuku, what's going on with you? You mumble sweetly when you're writing in your notebook! — Coming back to her senses after drinking the cool water, she looked at Izuku, who was beaming, displaying a glowing, colorful lamp.
— Look! I figured out a way for you to fly, Nejire! — The word "fly" was enchanting to her. She certainly had her doubts about whether she could accomplish it, but she never questioned Izuku's words.
— Let's go, freckle! Show me what you can do! — Izuku instructed her on how to redirect the energy so she could levitate. After seven unsuccessful attempts, she finally managed to lift off the ground, but no one knew how to turn off her ability. Amazed at her newfound skill, Nejire ran around and performed flips, delighting Midoriya, who beamed with pride at their shared achievement.
— Look, freckle, what I can do! — Not realizing her own strength, she soared two meters into the air. As she gazed down, she almost lost her breakfast on Izuku, who was watching her from below, captivated by her display. Losing control, she began to descend rapidly, unable to concentrate. Midoriya, seeing his friend plummeting, rushed to catch her, managing to break her fall with his body. She landed on his chest, causing Izuku to let out a painful groan as Nejire's forehead collided with his nose. She was thrilled to have a friend who cared for her unconditionally, and this moment was no exception. Now she understood that her friend felt a deeper connection to her, even if she didn't fully comprehend it; it didn't hinder her in the least. Lifting her head, she gazed into Izuku's emerald eyes with her own blue ones, mesmerized by the beauty and care that radiated from him. Seeing the sparkling depths of her eyes, he too became lost in their beauty, studying and appreciating every little detail. But their idyllic moment was interrupted when Izuku cleared his throat loudly.
— Ahem, ahem, are you okay, senpai? — he teased, looking at Nejire's adorably puffy face.
— I told you not to call me that, Izuku! — They spent the better part of the evening enjoying each other's company, exploring Nejire's quirk and playing various games together. Exhausted from their busy day, they made their way to Dagoba Beach, which was deserted yet radiated a calm and soothing aura. Before arriving there, Izuku had splurged on ice cream for both of them, which made Nejire ecstatic and further endeared her to her kind-hearted friend.
Izuku and Nejire settled down on the soft sand of Dagoba Beach, tilting their faces to bask in the warm orange-pink glow of the sunset. The sea before them seemed to mirror the sky itself, transforming each wave into a moving canvas of light and color. A gentle breeze played with their hair: Izuku's emerald locks swayed softly, as if breathing in rhythm with the sea breeze, while Nejire's blue hair framed her face delicately.
She leaned slightly closer to him, her bright, radiant eyes studying his profile with curiosity and warmth. In the golden light of the sunset, her skin glowed, and her lips shone with a soft pink hue. Izuku felt his heart flutter with each of her movements — everything about her, from her gentle smile to the way she tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear, was both dazzling and comforting.
He was on the verge of saying something, but the words caught in his throat, unable to express how much he cherished this moment. Nejire, as if sensing his thoughts, gently touched his hand. Her fingers were warm, and her touch was light, but it conveyed all her sincerity.
— Do you notice how it seems like the sky is making a special effort for us? — she whispered, her gaze fixed on the horizon where the pink sun was nearly kissing the water.
Izuku looked at her, momentarily forgetting about the sunset, the sea, and everything else except for her voice.
— Yes, — he barely managed to reply. — But the most beautiful thing here is you.
Her cheeks flushed with a rosy hue, but she simply chuckled softly, shaking her head as though she couldn't believe he had said something so sweet. Their laughter harmonized with the whispers of the waves, which seemed to inch closer, eager to witness this precious moment.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a crimson glow across the darkening sky, they remained seated together, still and content. Their hands were intertwined, and their hearts beat in a synchronized, peaceful rhythm, as if the entire world had paused in harmony with their feelings.
As they walked back toward their homes, Izuku turned to Nejire and asked her about her favorite hero.
— Nejire, who's your favorite hero or heroine? — Unsure of how to respond, she recalled the heroine who worked alongside her father.
— Oh, I know! It's the new hero Ryukyu: the dragon hero who can transform into a dragon! — This was the first time Izuku had heard of her, and he found himself captivated by the description Nejire provided. He realized that her birthday was approaching, but he was uncertain about what gift would truly make her happy.
Despite Nejire's hyperactive nature, she always remembered her friend's preferences and which heroes he admired for the sake of their friendship. After exchanging warm hugs to say goodbye, they returned to their homes. Upon arriving, Nejire found her father in the living room, where he sat, staring blankly at a pile of papers that looked as worn out as he felt. Her cheerful mood from the day spent with Izuku quickly shifted to worry; her father appeared to be exhausted, as if he hadn't slept for several nights. His fingers nervously fidgeted with the edge of the table, and his gaze darted around the room, as if he were searching for answers to questions he hadn't yet formulated.
— Dad, what happened? — Nejire asked softly, stepping closer. Her usually vibrant voice sounded more subdued, barely concealing her growing concern.
Her father looked up and met her gaze with a mixture of guilt and tenderness. He slowly stood, as though the weight of his thoughts was physically dragging him down.
— Nejire, sweetheart... I'm so sorry, — he began, attempting to maintain his composure, but his voice trembled nonetheless. — We have to move.
— Move? — she repeated, her expression frozen in confusion. — But why? Everything is fine here... I have school, friends... — Her voice quivered, and she pressed her palms to her chest. — Midoriya...
Her father nodded slowly, regret washing over him as he realized he couldn't provide her with a different answer.
— I understand how much you love this city and your friend, — his eyes glistened with unshed tears, but he held them back. — However, we need to relocate to Hosu. I can no longer provide for the both of us here. The job I found there offers us a chance for a better future.
Nejire felt a chill run through her as she froze, unsure of how to process this news. At only five years old, she comprehended the enormity of the decision her father had made; it weighed heavily on him. He had always cared for her, striving to ensure that she was happy, even at the cost of his own peace of mind. The mere thought of not being able to see Izuku every day, her very best friend, was simply unbearable.
— But... Midoriya... — she whispered, feeling tears welling up in her eyes.
Her father knelt before her, gently embracing her and stroking her back. His voice softened even more.
— You are a strong girl, Nejire. You will understand when you grow up. Friends who truly matter never disappear from your life. You may not see them right away, but you will surely meet again.
She hugged him tightly, feeling the warmth of his words enveloping her, yet her heart still ached with sorrow. It seemed to her that her friendship with Izuku was the most important thing in her life, and she couldn't bear the thought of it changing.
To be continued.
[6 chapters until Venom's appearance]