I was not kidding when I said that I found the jackpot with that tablet. I am sure that if I kept looking through it, I could have found Izuku's whole life story...or I guess mine?
Look, I am pretty sure that I am Izuku. Does it mean that I accept it? Not really! It's not like I planned on finding my past. If it came up, it came up like here. I just didn't think it would come up.
Am I making sense? Basically, I accept it without accepting it.
To summarize Izuku, he's a super smart boy that got himself into the big leagues early, AKA child enslavement. I didn't look too much, to be honest. I was just looking to see if the name Atanki Mikumo came up, and it did as a disguise for Izuku. There was some footage on there as well that I watched, and...it was intense, let's put it like that. But he looks just like me. I also saw some things that I am still unsure of how to feel.
With that information under my belt, I understand why this place and the heroes are so weird to me. I just wish people would tell me straight to my face. It isn't that hard! That's not to say that I would believe them because I wouldn't, but, if you have proof, show me the proof! I am aware that there is more to me than I know since I have forgotten a lot. I'm not close-minded: I just struggle.
So what now?
Well, I could confront them, but that's boring. Why would I do that when I can be passive aggressive about it? I am already in Izuku's room, so why not?
Make them come to me. Maybe it is cocky to assume those three would come, but I have a strong feeling they will. Based on what the class told me, Aizawa is especially important to me. If anybody is going to come, he is.
I wonder if I am connected to Kayama and Yamada in a similar way. I have a feeling I am.
The only issue with that plan was that it took a while, and I happened to fall asleep during that. Why does being cool have to be hard?
You want to know what makes it worse? I didn't wake up until I heard the door open just now.
I hate myself sometimes!
Right now, I need to focus on getting answers. I can hate myself later.
I force myself to sit up and run my fingers through my hair to make it look less like I just took a nap. I won't be surprised if I still do, but I tried. Anyway, I get it done right before I catch sight of the three I expected. I told you so!
I don't adjust my tone before I say anything, so I just sound tired when I start the conversation.
"I want the truth," I tell them simply, and, damn, I sound like a badass! I swear it wasn't intentional. I just wanted to be serious: not a badass.
Aizawa steps up to the plate, "That's what we're here to tell you." I give him a confused look.
"I wasn't expecting that to go easy." Aizawa sighs and shakes his head.
"We agreed to it while you were doing whatever you were doing."
Kayama adds a question, "Which what were you doing, and how did you get here?"
"I knew y'all were hiding something, so I went searching. Bakugo led me here." All three of them look at me with shock and confusion on their faces, "What?"
"Bakugo brought you-"
Aizawa stops Kayama this time, "We can discuss this in a moment. Right now, we should move to somewhere more appropriate."
I huff, "Come on, I don't want to move."
"We're moving to my dorm. It's the room next door."
"Wait, is that where that last door goes?"
"Yeah, come on," Aizawa tells me as he opens and goes through said door. Damn, Izuku and him...we? Are we close? Or....I don't know. That shit is just confusing. Like, Izuku is me, but I don't want to admit that it's me.
I get up as the other two move dorms, and I follow after them. Inside Aizawa's dorm, it definitely looks more like a dorm than an office like Izuku's. There's an actual couch, and it looks like a mess.
You know that feeling you get when you are home? It feels like that, which is weird. Wouldn't I feel like that in my dorm? Why am I feeling something here? Did I just never say there?
Who fucking knows? We'll gotta get through this shit.
Aizawa is standing across from it with his arms crossed. How threatening!
I don't need to be told anything as I just move to sit on the couch. I know my place. Kayama chooses to chill beside the door. Once again, how threatening! Thankfully, Yamada doesn't follow that trend. Instead, he moves to sit on the coffee table. Not directly across from me, he is the closest to me. I should feel threatened by that, but he just seems off. How he is acting does not match the persona he has.
I will probably get an answer to that soon.
"What do you know, kid? And no, don't argue about me calling you a kid." Aizawa asks.
I roll my eyes, "I am suspected to be Izuku Midoriya who is important due to hero purposes. He is a student at UA, and he is close to you. Smart and quirkless and shit. Oh, and he is close to you...hold up, this is kind of fucked up: he is underage going on the field. That can't be legal." There's also the whole 'imma die soon' deal that makes the situation even worse, but I won't bring that up yet.
Actually, what am I talking about? They probably know if they do know me.
Aizawa sighs, "It wasn't. The HC got you to do it through shady methods. You know you are him, so I don't know why you are talking like that." Of course it's the fucking government.
"On my behalf, I didn't give a fuck about learning about my past. I'm only learning about it because I got into this situation somehow. Like, I know, but I don't want to believe it. It's weird. I was happy being oblivious." That's when Aizawa's face softens to something more genuine.
"You were happy not knowing?"
"I wouldn't say happy. The better word is content. I am happy doing what I am doing now. To be frank, that's the only reason I'm doing this: I wanted to make sure there wasn't a threat. They don't deserve to deal with more shit." Aizawa looks down at the ground, seeming to consider what to say. However, nothing seems to be coming up given it is still quiet.
That's when Yamada surprisingly breaks it, "Hey, Mikumo? Do you mind if I ask you something personal?" Yamada asks carefully as he locks eyes with me.
"Shoot. I might not answer it, but I'll give you a shot." Yamada lets out a deep breath. Something tells me this is going to be intense.
"Are you not worried about that because you don't have much time left?"
Well, that was more intense than I thought. He's a smart man for putting that together. It also means that they do know. Well, at least he knows. The other two's expressions seem to state otherwise. That's interesting.
"Bingo," I tell Yamada, "So you guys did know. Or, at least, Yamada knows."
Yamada immediately moves to sit in front of me with a worried look and clarifies, "No no no. I guessed that, but you weren't okay before. It wasn't at-," Yamada stops himself and switches course, "How much time do you have?"
"You should know that." Which is true. Besides, why would I tell someone I technically hardly know. That's a harsh thing to ask even though I have accepted my death.
"Mikumo, if you stay on quirk suppressants, Recovery Girl said you would live until your thirties." Hold up, what? Now I am confused. I was told I was quirkless, which is already screwy, but now Izuku did have a quirk? Why is he saying that I need to be on quirk suppressants? There is some mismatching of information here.
Kayama intervenes, "Zashi, I think there's a disconnect."
Yamada sighs, "I know, I know. Can I just explain everything?"
"Please do because there is some suspicious shit going on here," I tell Yamada, and he nods.
"Okay, so you weren't always this way. I don't know if you think that, but we, especially Shouta, can tell you that you were healthy. You suffered some injuries. However, you were in great shape- well, physically. Mental health is a whole different story. Anyway, you were also quirkless. Then, you got into a severe fight with someone who has a quirk that can take and give quirks. He gave you a quirk in the middle of it, and you had a bad reaction to it. To combat it, you were on quirk suppressants. You...you were just starting to get better, kid. It's unfair. Everytime you would start to get up, you would get kicked down by something else...you don't deserve anything that you are going through, Mikumo."
By the end, Yamada looks down while he tries to calm down.
I...well, that's a mess. However, I believe Yamada's story. I know that quirk exists because my 'father' has that, but that's a weird thing for him to do in a fight. Also, why does he take care of me now if we got into that?
Actually, nevermind, I know.
That also explains the doctor's reaction at the first shelter too. It fits.
So overall speaking, my 'father' ruined my life again. Great! I'm so done with his bullshit. He just needs to die by shoving his foot down his throat and choking on it like the fucked up individual he is. He shortened my life by years. Even though my age is apparently not correct now, I would have still had five years. This bullshit brought my expiration date to less than one year now.
I wasn't mad about dying early before. I accepted it. However, I accepted it on the pretext that it was caused by life, not by someone else.
I am a fool. I took his word. I didn't even think about it, and now it's too late because I am on a goddamn leash. The mask that I wear with the gas to prevent me from getting sick? That's from him. Dabi delivers the gas for him to me.
To simplify all that, Yamada is right, I've been played, and I am pissed.
"Mikumo?"
I look up at Kayama, and I catch Aizawa and Yamada sitting together in the corner of my eye. I wisely decide to ignore it and turn to Kayama.
"Yeah?" I ask because I don't know what Kayama expects from me.
"You look pissed," Awe, thanks, Mrs.Obvious!
"No shit, sherlock." Kayama sighs.
"I don't blame you..." Nothing else is said for a moment. This is awkward to me because I am in a stranger's dorm where that stranger is hugging another stranger and then the third stranger is known as the +18 hero. Sure, I technically know them, but I don't. I can't stand the silence.
"So, just for clarification, we are talking about All for One, yes?" I ask. I have never had heads spin to face me faster in my life.
Aizawa does not hesitate to ask, "How do you know about him?"
"Uh, he's my father???" Aizawa doesn't look amused one bit.
"All for One is not your father."
"How do you know? Have you met my father?"
"No-"
"Then shut up cause you have no proof."
Aizawa sighs, "Different question then: how are you involved with him?" I raise an eyebrow at him.
"Can I at least know if it was him or not before I answer?"
"Must you make things difficult?"
"If you truly know me, you know the answer." Aizawa gives me an expression I can't comprehend, but he relents.
"...it's still you, whether you want to admit it or not," Not the response I want, "It was an...best way of describing him is an associate."
"An associate? I don't know anybody with his quirk."
"He's dead. Will you answer now how you are involved with him?"
"Fine, damn. He's the one who provides the gas I'm on. He has one of his little bitches bring it to me whenever I am about to run out. Other than that, he likes to tell me to stay out of trouble. I am uninvolved otherwise."
"So you don't know what he has planned?"
"Nope. He leaves me out of that."
Yamada finally separates himself from Aizawa, "That's not surprising." Aizawa nods in agreement.
Kayama casually mentions, "So basically, you were kidnapped by him only for him to let you go. What the fuck?" All of us look at her. Uh, I feel like that could have been told to me in a better way.
Aizawa facepalms, "He doesn't know that he was kidnapped."
"Oh...whoops. Well, at least he knows now."
"You are insufferable."
I click my tongue, "So I was kidnapped?"
"That was the last time you were seen. You were lured out, and he threatened to kill Yamada if you didn't go with him." Oh. No wonder Yamada has been acting weird.
I turn to Yamada, "Is that why you have been acting traumatized the whole time? Like, I can leave-"
Yamada immediately cuts me off and faces me, "No. No no no. Mikumo, I am acting this way because I thought I lost you, and it would have been my fault. I'm beyond grateful that you are still alive. I've just been having to keep that down. That's why I have been off."
"Well, to be fair-"
"No, don't you dare, Mikumo. I know what you were about to say, and no."
Aizawa intervenes, "It was nobody's fault except All for One's."
I nod towards Aizawa, "I completely agree with his sentiment."
Yamada smiles, "Me too." You know, that smile is fitting for him. I can't believe All for One traumatized this man. That's unfair. He's a good man.
"It's nice to see a genuine smile on you, Zashi," Kayama points out. For once, I agree with her!
"Shush." Kayama raises her hands.
"Alright, goddamn."
I decide now would be the best time to get back on track, "Alright, the summary so far is this: I was a slave to the government; I went to UA; I was healthy until recently; and my father is shit."
"Pretty much, yeah."
"No offense, but my life sounds like shit."
Aizawa responds, "Recently, yes. Before, you were a menace to society- you probably still are." Yes. Yes, I am.
I grin in response, "Awe, thanks, man!" Unfortunately, Aizawa decides not to amuse me and moves onto a different topic.
"This has been bothering me: what does the gas do?"
"It keeps me from throwing up all over you and Yamada right now. Thinking about it, did I do that before?"
Yamada nods, "If you weren't on a quirk suppressant, yeah."
"You know, that makes sense. I had this doctor freak out because he saw that I was having an allergic reaction apparently. So suppressing the quirk stops everything?"
"It makes you tired and weak, but we were told that you could overcome that if you worked at it."
"Okay, I get it. This stuff just covers the symptoms- wait a moment, it's just like what normal doctors do!"
"Mikumo, no."
"Based on what you just said, you can use the quirk," Aizawa clarifies.
"Of course," I tell Aizawa as I activate my quirk. I don't think I ever mentioned this, but someone can see if my quirk is activated because my eyes glow gold! If only I could have sold them like that because I would be rich then.
"That looks like Ragdoll's quirk," Aizawa points out as he inspects my eyes, "What is your quirk called?" Who is Ragdoll?
"I don't fucking know: I just know I can track people with it."
Yamada answers Aizawa's unanswered question, "It is." Alright then. While I remember, I turn off my quirk.
Aizawa sighs, "Let me guess: this is how you knew we were heroes?"
"Uh-huh," I tell him with a nod.
"And how you found Bakugo?"
"Of course!"
"Why him?"
"Because he's the only person I know and remember here."
Kayama raises her hands, "Time out! You remember some of your past?"
"It would be concerning if I didn't."
"No, because we thought your memory was completely wiped! If you know Bakugo, it was altered."
"Cool! What does that do for us?"
"...probably not a lot."
Aizawa interrupts, "Incorrect. Mikumo, what's the last thing you remember about Bakugo?"
I don't even have to think on this one, "He told me to control-alt-delete myself."
"Before that?" That's a bit harder to remember.
"Uh, I think it was of us being in class- no, it was after! I don't remember why he was mad, but he was mad. I ran out of there faster than God could say his name."
Aizawa thinks for a moment, "So you don't remember a slime monster or All Might saving you?"
"I don't know who either of those are."
Yamada attempts to correct, "Slimer?"
"From Ghostbusters?" I don't think that's the answer given his expression.
"What about the number one hero after him?" Aizawa continues to quiz me. I hate this.
"Uh, Hawks?" Aizawa shakes his head. How quickly do they go through number one heroes? Damn!
"I think All for One removed any of his memories revolving around heroes. That doesn't explain how you knew we were heroes." Ugh, of course. I'm so done that I don't know what to say.
"My quirk remembers unlike me." I joke despite it being the truth. Thankfully, they all see to accept that.
However, I do think that I have answered all their questions as they aren't asking any more. Either that or they are trying to think of some. I wouldn't be surprised either way. To be honest, I am tired of answering questions though. I get my past now to an extent.
My issue is that I don't know if my past is something that will bite me in the ass later or not.
I break the silence, "If I go back, will they be safe?" They look at each other until Aizawa makes his conclusion.
"We don't know." Well, that's a shit answer.
"Alright, rephrase: when y'all taking him down?"
"We have no idea." Again, a shit answer.
Yamada backs him up, "Our main job was to find you. They thought you could find him and figure out a plan. Obviously, you wouldn't be a part of the fight, but they wanted your guidance." I'm guessing they means the Hero Commission. Great.
So pretty much, I am left with a risk if I go back. I would, but why is 'father'- All for One letting me walk around? He has to have a reason. He has to have a plan for me: that's why he brought me back, isn't it? There's a plan somewhere to use me.
Do I trust heroes now? Not exactly, but they are my only hope (unless I hire a yakuza or some shit) of taking him down.
More so finishing the job, but you get what I mean.
I change the attitude of the room instantly with my new declaration.
"I know where he is, but I want in."