We Need To Talk

The second test of the provisional licensing exam was a rescue operation. You, your classmates and the other examinees who passed the first test had to work together to rescue civilians after a terrorism attack that was caused by villians. The "rescuees" were hired individuals, and the "villians" were Gang Orca and his sidekicks. In the fight with Gang Orca, Todoroki and Yoarashi argued and almost got Shindo injured. Luckily, they were able to put their differences aside and worked together to keep the "villians" away from the "rescued civilians". You weren't able to take down Gang Orca, but you were able to protect the rescuees before time ran out. And with the second test done, it's time for the results. 

When the results showed, you smiled wide and shouted in delight as soon as you saw your name among the list of those who passed. You weren't the only one. Izuku, Ochaco, Eijiro, Denki, everyone in Class 1-A passed the provisional hero license exam!... Well, everyone except for Shoto Todoroki and Katsuki Bakugou. Katsuki probably didn't pass because of the way he was talking to thr hired civilians, and the reason why Todoroki didn't pass is because during a dire situation, he argued with that guy from Shiketsu who also didn't pass. Each and everyone of you were given hand-outs with the specifics of your scoring in great detail. Your ended up with a score of 85 which is pretty good. And as for the students who were not fortunate enough to pass... they are given a second chance to redeem themselves. After they attend a special training course in March and get better results on their individual tests, they'll receive their provisional licenses. You were glad to hear that your boyfriend still has a chance. And so, finally... the provisional license exam came to an end... and you all became one big step closer... to becoming real heroes!

You a returned to the UA dormitory with your friends and continued to look at your new provisional hero license in all its glory. You've worked so hard to make it this far and now you're basically a semi-pro. You sent a couple pictures of your provisional license to the group chat you shared with your parents. You wanted to show them your license as soon as possible. 

"Hey, uh..Yagi." Todoroki stood before you and you wondered what did he want from you. "Can I talk to you?"

"Sure." You replied as you put your license back in your pocket and followed him to the hallway. 

The two of you stood there face to face while your back leaned against the wall. The situation reminded you of the talk you and Izuku had with him after the Cavalry battle during the sports festival. 

After a moment of awkward silence, Todoroki rubs the back of his neck and speaks while looking down slightly. "You and I... we got off on the wrong foot in the beginning. Back then, my only focus was defying my old man and I didn't realize that I saw you in a similar way Endeavor viewed All Might. I don't want to repeat my dad's actions, so..." He looks up at you and offers a hand shake. "Do you... want to start over as friends?"

You smiled as you gladly accepted his hand and shook it. "Sure."

You were no longer bothered by what Todoroki said to you during the sports festival, plus, you weren't holding he grudge over your introduction from the first day of school. Todoroki was dealing with some family issues back then. You dislike Endeavor, but you're not going to treat your friend badly just because of who his father is. Your phone then vibrated after you let go of Todoroki's hand. You pulled it out and the screen showed that you received a couple text messages from the group chat with your mom and dad:

Daddy: Great work, Sweetheart!

Mom: Congratulations! We're so proud of you! You're one step closer to becoming a Pro!

You smiled at your parents' response, but then your smile slowly dropped as you remembered everything that has happened along with your suspicions about Izuku and your dad hiding something from you. You took a deep breath and typed. 

Me: Dad. We need to talk. About your Quirk. About your relationship with Izuku. About you and mom's connection with AFO. Everything. Don't runawa, play dumb, or try to change the subject. 

Sent. In just mere seconds, they both read the text but didn't send a reply. Your text did seem a bit demanding, but you needed to know what your parents are hiding. 

"What's wrong?" Asked Todoroki. 

You totally forgot that your classmate was standing right here when you sent your parents that text. "Sorry! Nothing's wrong! My parents congratulated me on earning my provisional license and I was just sending a reply."

Todoroki stared as your phone for a moment before shifting his gaze back to you. "What was your childhood like as All Might's daughter?"

You were surprised by the sudden question, but then you put your phone away and crossed your arms with a sad look on your face. 

"You already know that my dad is the No°1 hero, The Symbol of Peace. You're also aware that my mom is All Might's partner, the Elemental Hero - Hope, and the Pillar of Justice. That means I'm basically a target for villians who want to use me against my parents. My mom and dad are legally married, but the public doesn't know that. They were always busy doing hero work and I was sometimes watched over by one of my parents' sidekicks. A couple years after I moved to where Katsuki and Izuku lived, my mom retired, but dad continued his Hero duties and I saw him less and less. When my friendship with Izuku and Katsuki grew, I wanted to tell them so bad that I was daughter of the Hero they admire so much, but I knew that I couldn't. Most of the attention I got from dad were text messages, phone calls, and occasional souvenirs and gifts. I had this star shaped locket with a picture of me and my parents, but I lost it after the USJ incident. Turns out that Shigaraki found it and found out that I'm their child. That's why the League of Villians attacked our classmates and kidnapped Katsuki.... they wanted me. Dabi, the villian with the blue flames, All For One, and Tomura Shigaraki said a lot of things to me. Most of them are about how I'm a useful piece, how my dad spends more of his time being a pro hero than being a dad, how I'm obviously a daddy's girl pining for my dad's attention and all that. The only people who knew that I'm the daughter of All Might and Hope are the teachers here at UA, your dad, my dad's former sidekick, Principal Nezu, and some other heroes my parents might've told. Our friends found out after you spilled it out during the sports festival with your declaration of war." You sighed. "...I look up to my dad just like everybody else, but I caused a lot of trouble for everyone just because of who my parents are. Because of me, I put our classmates, our friends, the teachers and the Pussycats in danger. Plus, my dad lost his power because of me. I sometimes wonder if those villians were right about me--"

"They're not!" Todoroki interrupted you. "You never asked for those villians to attack us, so you shouldn't blame yourself for what happened at the training camp! Also, it was wrong of me to tell our classmates who your dad was. I didn't know it was supposed to be kept a secret." You started to feel flustered when your classmate suddenly bowed. "I'm also sorry for saying that I'm stronger than you. Looking back now, made you think that I didn't see you as a strong person, nor a potential friend."

"I-It's okay! I forgive you! In fact, I completely forgot about all that. Please, stand up straight! There's no need to bow!" Todoroki stands up straight and you give him a friendly smile. "You really don't need to apologize. Let's just be friends, okay?"

Todoroki smiles and nods. "Right."

Just then, a raspy voice called out to you. "Hey, Hikari!"

You and Todoroki noticed Katsuki striding towards you.

"Bakugou, have you been eavesdropping on our conversation?" Todoroki asked.

"Of course not, you Icy Hot Bastard! I want to talk to my girlfriend alone!"

Todoroki excuses himself then leaves you alone with your boyfriend. 

"What is it, Katsuki?" You asked.

"As soon as everyone is fast asleep, I want you to meet me tonight."

He had this serious expression expression on his face when he said that and something told you that this wasn't going to be a regular lover's rendezvous. 

After everyone in Class 1-A were fast asleep, you snuck out of your dorm room and met up with Katsuki at the dorm entrance. He wasn't alone, though. Izuku was also there standing next to him. It turns out that this was about something Katsuki wanted the three of you to talk about. Izuku's Quirk. Katsuki led you and Izuku to a place you both recognized. 

"This place... it's... Ground Beta..." Izuku says as he looks up at the building in front of you. 

"This is where I fought you for the very first time in combat training... and lost." Katsuki spoke with his back to you and Izuku. "For all this time, just thinkin' about it made me sick to my damn stomach."

"Yeah, but why did you bring us here?" You asked your boyfriend. "What do you want to talk about?"

"Deku was a Quirkless, good-for-nothing weak little bitch you felt like you had to look after..." Katsuki replied. "But by some miracle, he got into UA, and by an even bigger miracle, his Quirk suddenly manifests." Katsuki turns around and looks at you. "Before you and I left together that day, Deku said that his power was given to him and that he'll make it his own on day..."

A confused look appears on your face. Katsuki smirks as he goes back to speaking to Izuku.

"You were an incomprehensible bastard, spewing nothing but incomprehensible garbage, Deku. And ever since then, you've been wearin' this self-satisfied face while growing more, and more, and more, the whole god damn time. Ever since that one time with the sludge bastard... no... ever since All Might first came to town! More, and more, and more, and more... and in the end, you even got your provisional license with Hikari. And I fuckin' failed! What the hell's up with that? Huh?"

"Me and Himawari earned our licenses by demonstrating our abilities and--"

"Just shut the hell up and listen, asshole!" The ash-blonde snapped at Izuku before continuing. "The whole damn time... it pissed me off. It disgusted me! But, Y'know... with what Hikari told me and with the whole incident in Kamino, I finally put the pieces together." He looks over at Izuku. "And I've been thinkin' about it the whole time. You got that power from All Might, didn't you?"

You looked at Izuku who tensed up upon hearing Katsuki's words. Is what Katsuki said true?

"Katsuki..." You stared at your boyfriend. "What made you think that....?"

"At first, I thought you knew something, but then you said you suspected that Deku and your dad were hiding something from you." Katsuki answered. His eyes didn't leave your green-haired friend. "Then you mentioned his behavior towards your dad during the USJ attack. Saying he acted like as if he knew something was wrong with him. And then there's that AFO bastard... from what you told me, with just a snap of his fingers, he could snatch away people's Quirks, and bestow them to others. I didn't believe you at first, but then one of the members of the Pussycats was forced to retire due to the disappearance of her Quirk. And not to mention, those Nomu fuckers held multiple Quirks. Thinking about all that... the credibility of my theory seems pretty damn high. You also said that both of your parents and that boss asshole knew each other. "The transferral of Quirks"... In reality, that can only mean..."

Your thoughts went to your mother. Was she also a part of this big secret?

"That... both my mom and dad... are somehow connected to AFO... and that's related to what Izuku said about his Quirk being "given" to him..." You hesitantly say, not wanting to believe the truth. 

"After you met All Might, you began to change." Katsuki says to Izuku. "Then he lost his power... and then there's All Might's message. You interpreted that statement differently from everyone else. All Might wouldn't give me nor Hikari a straight answer, so that's why I'm askin' you now, got it?"

Izuku didn't say a word. He just looked down with this serious, tense expression on his face. 

"The fact that you aren't trying to deny it... means I'm right, doesn't it?"

After a minute of silence, Izuku reluctantly responds. 'Okay... so what if it's true?"

Katsuki glare at Izuku. "You're gonna fight me! Right here, right now!"

Your eyes grew wide as saucers and your head snapped back up. 

"What?!" You and Izuku exclaimed at the same time. 

"Huh?! Wait a minute, why do you want to fight so suddenly!?" Izuku asked frantically. 

"Katsuki, it's bad enough that we're here late at night without permission!" You intervened, getting between Izuku and Katsuki. 

"If we try to fight seriously they'll just stop us." Katsuki responds. 

"We'll get in trouble either way if you two duke it out here! If you want to spar so badly, we can just ask permission to use a training room tomorrow after the entrance ceremony! Don't just--"

You didn't get a chance to finish your sentence when Katsuki used his explosions to maneuver pass you and strike Izuku. Luckily, you weren't harmed and Izuku dodged the blast. However, Katsuki continues his attacks no matter how many times Izuku manages to avoid his attacks. You kept yelling at your boyfriend to stop, but he just ignored you and didn't stop trying to land an explosion. Then Izuku started to fight back and you became more irritated at the two boys. Before they rushed towards each other for another attack, you got between the two boys and used your Quirk to create water tendrils to restrain them and stop them from fighting any further. You made sure to engulf Katsuki's hands in the water tentacles so that he would be unable to use his Quirk. 

"That's enough!!" ​You yelled before glaring at your boyfriend. "Katsuki, I know that you're angry about everything that's happened, but sneaking out here and fighting isn't the answer!"

"Damnit! Stay out of this, Hikari!" Your boyfriend snapped. 

"Like hell I will! You always pick a fight with whoever rubs you off the wrong way!"

"And you're always protecting that damn nerd no matter what!"

"You think I'm not upset about the truth as you are!?" You shifted your attention towards Izuku who flinched when your eyes meet. "Izuku, I don't know what made you think that keeping something about my dad a secret was okay, but I had a right to know!" Izuku looked down with regret laced in his eyes. Your eyes went back to Katsuki. "Katsuki, you shouldn't resolve your issues by pushing me away and blasting people! Come on, you have to talk to me! Why are you so insistent on fighting Izuku now?"

"Shut the hell up!!!" Katsuki shouted, using an explosion to get rid of the liquid tendril binding him. The blast also caused the tendril holding Izuku to turn into a puddle of water. "What the hell is your problem!? Why the hell are you always butting in!? Why did I end up chasing the back... of a shitnerd who was always trailing behind me?!! A shitty small fry like him, getting stronger... and being recognized by All Might... even though I was getting stronger, too... but..." Katsuki grips his shirt as he looks directly at you with a heartbroken, guilty expression. "But it's because of me that you ended up getting kidnapped!"

You were speechless. You stared at Katsuki Bakugou as it suddenly dawned on you that... Katsuki blames himself for your kidnapping...

Katsuki continued as his voice broke. He hung his head down. "If I had been stronger, if I had made it to your side sooner, then none of that would have ever happened!" He wipes away the tears that threatened to show. "I promised All Might that I would protect you, that I wouldn't let a damn thing happen to you, but I couldn't even do that!" The ash-blonde then covers his eyes with one hand to prevent his tears from falling. "And to top it all off, I was used as a fuckin' bargaining chip to get you to join their league of assholes.... and when you were being taken somewhere else by that AFO bastard, you were right there, but I still wasn't able to save you! Damn it! If it weren't for All Might, Hope, Deku, Kirishima and the others, I could've lost you..." Katsuki inhales sharply. "If I couldn't protect the one damn person that's precious to me, then what--!"

You engulfed your boyfriend in a hug before he could finish. This wasn't just about Izuku and All Might, this was also about Katsuki's guilt because he loves you so much. It broke your heart to see him like this and you felt ashamed of yourself for not noticing what he was going through. 

"Stop...!" Tears flowed from your emerald eyes. You had the same tone in your voice from when you spoke to your dad during the practical exam. "Stop blaming yourself! You weren't the one who told the villians where we were and you weren't the one who orchestrated the attack on the training camp. None of us could've known what was going to happen during our time there..." Katsuki wrapped his arms around you tightly as he cried into your shoulder. "All of your flaws, your weaknesses, none of those will change how much I love you, Katsuki Bakugou!... so, please... don't beat yourself up... don't push me away whenever I reach out to you... I'm right here, and I'm going to stay by your side no matter what!"

The two of you stood there in eachother's arms, tears rolling down your cheeks, until your childhood friend spoke.

"Himawari!" You slowly turned around to stare at Izuku. His head was hung down to an angle where you couldn't see his eyes. "There have been so many times when I wanted to tell you everything about me and your dad!... but All Might and Hope both were against it because it was for your own safety, so I kept quiet.." He raises his head, and you could see his visible tears. "But it was wrong to keep everything a secret from you! You have every right to know and I should've told you everything from the start!"

You couldn't stay mad at Deku. Not when he feels this guilty, too. You wipe away your tears until they were no longer a hindrance. While holding your lover's hand, you opened your mouth to say something. 

"Hikari. Izuku. Katsuki."

You were interrupted by a familiar female voice. You gasped as you noticed two people walking towards you. 

"Mom?...Dad?" You were shocked by the sight of your parents. You weren't expecting them to be here.

"We're sorry, but... we took the liberty of eavesdropping on you." Your mother said. 

"Sweetheart, I'm sorry." Your father solemnly says. "For not realizing your feelings."

"We both are."

You stared at your father. He's taller than your mother, but way shorter and smaller than the muscular form you usually saw him in. You took a deep breath and finally spoke to your father honestly. "I... I don't care that you gave your power to Izuku, but what I do care about, though, is why you didn't tell me....?"

"I was afraid that if AFO and other villians found out that I have a daughter, they'll use you against me and your mother..." Your dad replied. 

"... You... you were the No°1 hero, the Symbol of Peace who protects everyone... I knew that Japan needed you, but..." You let go of Katsuki's hand and made an effort to wipe away the stream of tears that started to fall again. "But I needed you, too! I wanted to become a hero you can rely on, someone who can stand beside you and help you protect everyone's smiles... but the only thing I've done is hold you back! Plus, I feel like I'm the reason why you lost your power!! Ever since Kamino, I wondered if I really am a useless daughter!"

You felt your mom and dad envelope you in a comforting hug, making you look up at them.

"No! Don't say that!" Your mom interrupted. "That's not true!"

"It's our own fault for not realizing how my negligence affected you deeply. You are not a hindrance. You are not useless! I was going to end up losing my power either way."

"Please believe me and your father when we say that you are the greatest thing to appear in our lives."

You slowly pulled away from your parents' embrace, regretting that you ever doubted them and how much your dad cares about you. 

"Toshinori and I have been heroes for a long time, and here's what we think. To obsess over victory, to want to rescue who is in trouble, and to desire to protect those dearest to you. If you're lacking in one or the other, you won't be able to maintain your own sense of justice as a hero."

"In the way that Young Midoriya longed for Hikari's confidence and Young Bakugou's strength, in the way that Young Bakugou feared Young Midoriya's spirit and Hikari's tenderness, and in the way that Hikari was motivated by Young Bakugou's tenacity and sought to protect Young Midoriya's smile... your feelings are all out in the open now, and now... you three get it now, don't you? If the three of you can recognize each other and honestly raise each other up, you can become the best heroes, who both win and saves people."

You and the two boys looked at each other for a moment as you thought about what All Might and Hope said. Katsuki then hung his head down and sat down on the concrete road to think.

"You." Katsuki speaks to Izuku and the nerd flinched. "If you've got the strongest person helping you out... you can't be losing."

Izuku nods with a determined look. "I'll get stronger, so that I can beat you."

"Alright. Who else knows about you and Izuku's relationship?" You ask your parents. 

"Recovery Girl and Principal Nezu..." Your father answered. "Among the students... only you and Young Bakugou."

Katsuki places his hand on his head. "And you don't want people to find out about this, do ya, All Might. Since you've been trying to hide it, I won't say anything to anyone. I won't go blabbering like shithead Deku over here, okay?"

"I won't tell either." You said. "I was upset about being kept in the dark about everything, but you can trust me and Katsuki. This secret stays with us."

"This secret..." Your mother spoke. "Is something your father and I regret bringing on to you and Katsuki. You have to carry this burden around everywhere... again, we're sorry."

"I'm not carrying anything. It'll just be problematic if anybody else found out."

"Seeing how things have turned out, it seems that I owe my daughter and Young Bakugou a proper explanation." All Might adds.

And so, All Might and Hope spoke to you and Katsuki about his power, which is known as One For All. During the time Quirks first appeared, All For One controlled Japan as its evil ruler by stealing Quirks and giving Quirks to people who are willing to become his pawns. AFO had a Quirkless little brother. The little brother was small and frail, but he harbored a strong sense of justice. His brother's actions panged his heart... and he opposed him. For some unknown reason, AFO forced upon his little brother a Quirk that stockpiles power. However, the brother who was thought to be Quirkless, did in fact possess one prior. Though neither he himself nor anyone around him had ever noticed: The erstwhile meaningless Quirk that could only transfer itself to another! The two Quirks then merged together and became One For All! AFO probably has a Quirk that stops his aging which is why he is still alive today. As tome passed, the Quirk has been passed down from person to person with the goal of taking down the Symbol of Evil. Your father was Quirkless when his master, Nana Shimura, gave him One For All. Several years ago, your mom and dad fought AFO. They managed to severely injure the villian, however, they were both severely injured themselves during the battle and All Might's power became limited. Then, your father met Izuku Midoriya and made him his successor.

"If the secret behind his powers where to be exposed, it could lead to disaster..." Katsuki said as the five of you left Ground Beta.

"Then people will ask if I have his power or if my Quirk is similar, and then ask a bunch of other questions." You added.

Katsuki glanced at Izuku. "So why did you go blabbering to me about it, Deku, you shithead?"

Izuku didn't respond. He must've thought telling Katsuki about One For All would make him feel better about the outcome of their match.

"Sweetheart, I don't regret meeting your mother and having you." All Might informs you. "We watched you laugh, smile, make new friends, and work hard to become the strong girl you are today. You are our pride and joy... don't forget that."

You smiled and hummed in response.

"Katsuki,  we know how much you care about our daughter." Your mother spoke to Katsuki. "Hikari doesn't blame you for her misfortune, so you shouldn't beat yourself too much."

You laced your hand with Katsuki's. You smiled when he shared a glance with you before looking down. "In the end, it doesn't change what I have to do." Your father hummed in confirmation, but you didn't know what Katsuki meant. The ash-blonde then speaks to Izuku. "Hey, Deku. Hikari may have stopped our fight, but things'll be different now. You've been absorbing what you see from me, Hikari and others around you. Well, I can do the same. I'll become stronger and rise higher than you, "chosen one."

Izuku's nods. "Right! Then I have no choice but to rise even higher!"

"...I just said that I'm gonna surpass you, dumbass!"

"I know! That's why I said I've got no other choice than to rise above you!"

"What?!!"

You and your parents smiled. Unlike before, the two boys have become like proper rivals. And so the secret between Izuku and your parents, became a secret the five of you shared. And then... you, Izuku and Katsuki got in trouble. The you and Izuku were now under house arrest for two days and Katsuki has three days of house arrest. You'll also be cleaning the Dormitory common space. If you letted Izuku and Katsuki fight, the house arrest days would've been longer. After returning to your dorm, you decided to sleep in Katsuki's dorm room. Hopefully, you won't get in even more trouble if Mr.Aizawa finds out you're not in your own room. You lied down in bed with Katsuki lying next to you.

"Thank you..." Your boyfriend whispered as he held your hand. 

You gave Katsuki a warm smile before placing a kiss on his hand and drifting off to sleep.

To Be Continued...