5

Chapter 5: Level 5

Her fingers slipped past his. The lightest touch not allowing either of them to form that secure grip. His eyes were locked onto hers, they were wide, filled with fear and regret, her mouth was open in a gasp of terror, body stuck mid fall like a scene from a comic page. Gnarled rusted metal and growing flames awaited her down below. But the world was frozen by his quirk.

[Summoning Itsuka Kendo.

Summoning Momo Yaoyorozu.]

[Resuming Crisis. Hold on Tight.]

The world snapped into motion once more. Momo jutted a foot upwards, her hand firmly outstretched, and grabbed onto his forearm while he did the same to her. Her weight hit him like a truck, threatening to pull him down with her or tear his arm off. Still Izuku gritted his teeth and pressed a hand against one of the few remaining parts of the rusting ground beneath him.

"Hang on!" Izuku muttered, trying to pull Momo up.

[Strength check failed. Try actually working out.]

Not helping!

"Don't," Momo said, "If you keep this up, you'll fall too."

"I don't care." Izuku grunted and tried again. His free hand slipped, slicing his hand along the sharp rusted metal

[You have taken 7 damage. You are bleeding]

He still didn't care!

[Strength check failed. Receiving Assist from Itsuka. Strength check succeeded.]

Huh? Itsuka.

"I got you!" Itsuka's voice called from behind him. One of her giant hands wrap around his waist and pulled him upwards with a surprising amount of ease, it was all he could do to keep a hold of Momo. The other girls grey eyes went wide as she was sent flying up into the air and then caught by Itsuka's other hand.

[Momo Yaoyorozu: Ginger haired cat lady with giant fists?

Itsuka Kendo: Please don't mention the cat ears!

Izuku Midoriya: Cat ears?

Momo Yaoyorozu: What the fuck is this? What's happening? Why are my thoughts being shown here, oh god please don't let it show that I think she's cute!

Itsuka Kendo: Ignore the cat ears! Also don't flirt while I'm trying to save you!

Momo Yaoyorozu: Sorry! You can just let me die now!]

Izuku adjusted himself in Itsuka's fist so that he could get a better look at her. Same ginger hair, same cute nose, she still had her normal ears that stuck out just a bit, but on top of her head was a set of orange cat ears. Where did those come from? Did she always have them? Also her face was really red.

And he should be freaking out that their life was still in danger!

But apparently Itsuka had that covered. With a grace that he forgot she had - it was easy to forget that she'd been training in martial arts since she could walk - Itsuka stepped around the growing holes in the floor and made her way to the stairs. They were greeted with flames.

[Itsuka Kendo: Its too high to jump!

Izuku Midoriya: It might be the only way. Could you land if you had a free hand?

Itsuka Kendo: Probably, but you're an idiot if you think I'm leaving either of you.

Momo Yaoyorozu: Umm if you could let my arm out, I might be able to help.

Itsuka Kendo: Awesome!]

Itsuka unfurled her her fingers so that Momo could let arms out while still keeping a firm grip on the other girls waist. Momo let out a breath and held out her hands. A moment later, a couple of balls appeared in her hands. She tossed them into the fires where they exploded into a white foam that destroyed the flames in a matter of moments.

"Great going, Momo! Now hold on!" Itsuka jumped onto the railing and slid down it with both himself and Momo acting as counterweights.

[Congratulations! Your party has survived a disaster! Itsuka Kendo has gained +1000 Exp. Momo Yaoyorozu has gained +500 Exp. For trying, you have gained +250 Exp.]

[Level up! Itsuka Kendo is now a lvl 9 monk!]

[Congratulations! You have leveled up! You are now a lvl 2 weakling!]

Right. He still needed to change that.

"Ding!" Itsuka shouted proudly once they reached the ground. She kept running and bounced over to the other side of the street in an area that looked safe enough. The Villain was apprehended, the building wasn't going to fall down, which meant they could get to the important parts.

"You have cat ears," Izuku said the moment his feet touched the ground.

"And a tail." Itsuka hummed biting her lip. Her face was a bright red. The ears on top of her head twitched. So they weren't just fake. But why did she still have human ears? He looked behind her and saw that there was indeed a tail popping out the back of her skirt. "Please don't stare at them. It's really embarrassing."

"Why?" Izuku asked smiling at her. He wanted to rub her ears. "You looked good."

"Because your quirk is weird. Normally I wouldn't mind but I think it's making me feel embarrassed about it." Itsuka crossed her arms and pouted her face bright red. "But thanks. I think. It's almost over anyways."

"Umm, excuse me." The soft voice of Momo spoke up. The girl somehow managed to look just as immaculate as she had moments ago. She placed one hand on top of her chest and looked so close to a princess that he felt like he should be bowing or something. "Before we get started. I just wanted to thank you both for saving my life. I don't think I would have survived if you hadn't leapt for me."

Momo gave a deep bow at the waist, her long black hair falling past her shoulders. Then she stood up right and took a deep breath. "That being said, would you two please explain what's happening right now? What's Exp? Why can I see your names? Why are you a weakling? Why can we talk without speaking? How did the world freeze like that? And-"

"Look, I'm sure you have a lot of questions, but all of that can be summed up as." Itsuka pointed a giant finger directly at him. "It's all this guy's fault and his weird quirk."

"I assumed as much." Momo let out a breath and gathered herself. "Could you please undo your quirk on me? I don't want to sound ungrateful but this feels invasive. And weird. Why am I a cleric? I'm Agnostic. Why are you a weakling? How am I level 6? Is this like a video game?"

Itsuka stood proud and walked over to Momo and grabbed the taller girl's hand. Her ears and tail twitched. Maybe she was just happy that there was another girl in the party. "To answer your question, we actually don't know how to remove someone from the party. It might be permanent."

"Why do you look so happy when you say that?" Momo's face was twisted into the most judgemental look she could possibly manage. What were the chances are that she thought Itsuka was crazy? What were the chances that Itsuka was crazy?

Well, she was friends with him.

"Sorry," Itsuka pouted those cat ears of hers going flat. "I just think his quirk is neat, and I was excited that there was someone else to help us figure it out. Besides you think I'm cute."

Momo went red. "Please don't talk about that those were my private thoughts. What even was that?"

"Okay, so, because you're probably stuck with us for a while, let me explain what Izuku's quirk can do so far." Itsuka bounced hers and Momo's hands up and down a wide smile on her face.

Izuku smiled and then pulled up his menu screens while Itsuka explained things.

First, he was going to be a bit selfish and check out his new class. More specifically figure out how to not be a weakling! After looking at his status screen he found that there was a new drop down menu next to his class.

[Weakling: You are weak.

Limited to Level 2.

No benefits. You're weak.

Class Mastery 10/10

You were overqualified as a weakling.

Class Mastery Bonus: +10 luck.]

That explained a lot. As far as he could tell a class mastery bonus was something that would carry over right? That was good. He had no idea what luck would actually do. But it might help with something down the line right?

Now to look at-

"It does what?" Momo exclaimed, hands flying to her chest as she looked at Itsuka with wide eyes and a red face. They blushed a lot. Was that normal? Momo shot him a dirty look then looked back to Itsuka and began whispering.

What was that about?

Did Itsuka find out about "Ungabunga Mode?"

[Harem Protagonist: You're a lucky son of a bitch.

Females in your party will receive +50% Exp per each female in your party. Current Bonus +100%

You cannot lose reputation with females in your party, unless you really fuck up. Which you probably will.

Share skills and abilities among max reputation females.

Likelihood of perverted accidents that come straight out of an ecchi anime - you know the ones - increased by +200%]

That sounded a lot better than being a level 2 weakling. He didn't even think twice and swapped the class with surprising ease. He waited to feel something. But he really didn't. He still felt the same. But at least he wasn't a level 2 weakling now!

[You are now a Harem Protagonist. Because of your past actions and complete lack of game you are lvl -1]

Yeah. That about figured. Still, now he could gain exp and eventually level up to something higher. Like level 3.

[Itsuka Kendo: Izuku, why are you now a Harem Protagonist? You're really not helping your case here.]

He looked over and saw Itsuka glaring at him, Momo looked confused. Hopefully she wasn't mad at him.

[Izuku Midoriya: When Momo joined the party I unlocked a new class for having two girls in my party! And Umm, it sounded better than being a level two weakling.

Momo Yaoyorozu: Barely.

Itsuka Kendo: -.-

Momo Yaoyorozu: How did you think that?

Izuku Midoriya: What! You should be happy about it! It makes it so you gain more experience the more girls in the party! Its 50% per! So I just doubled your Exp growth by being this class!

Itsuka Kendo: O.o

Momo Yaoyorozu: I think you broke her. This is strange. But I rather like the party chat.

Itsuka Kendo: That sounds amazing, Izuku! Does it do anything else?

Izuku Midoriya: I can't lose reputation with you two, but it also says I can, and umm, if I max out reputation, we get to share skills and abilities? I have no idea how to do that though.

Itsuka Kendo: Hmm. Guess we'll have to find out later. In the meantime, what about Momo?

Momo Yaoyorozu: Excuse me?

Itsuka Kendo: What about Momo! Her stats! And her skills! Oh, by the way, her quirk is amazing! It lets her create stuff with her body fat, I think that's why her class is Cleric of Creation.

Momo Yaoyorozu: Yes, I had similar thoughts as well.]

Izuku nodded and pulled up Momo's stat sheet and shared it with both of them.

[Status: Momo Yaoyorozu. Lvl 6 Cleric of Creation.

Strength: Can carry more books than you.

Dexterity: Once caught a pen she dropped before it hit the ground and felt proud of it for a week

Constitution: Can actually run a mile. Not run part way, walk, then run again.

Intelligence: Knows the chemical bonds of over three hundred items by heart. Can't fucking cook.

Wisdom: Knows gullible is in the dictionary but would probably double check just to be safe.

Charisma: DD. And she's fucking loaded.

Unspent Attribute points: 7

Unspent Skill points: 4]

Huh, she didn't have a feat yet. Did those unlock at level seven?

[Momo Yaoyorozu: Wow. Itsuka was right, your quirk is rather rude.]

Itsuka and Momo walked closer to him, both of them had a bit of a blush still on their face. Probably because of the cold winter air and the fire and the, okay he was not that dense. They were talking about something that made them both blush. But what could it be?

"Alright. Well if I'm not a member of your party, I would like to do this officially." Momo stepped forward and extended her hand towards him. "I am Momo Yaoyorozu, it's a pleasure to meet you Izuku."

Her hand was soft. "Nice to meet you too Momo. Thank you for joining my party. And putting up with my weird quirk."

"It's because of your quirk that I'm alive, so I can't be too upset with it." Momo gave a charming smile that made his heart melt. She was just way too pretty. "So thank you for saving me. Again. But, uhh, Itsuka told me that there are stats and skills for me to put points in and that they have some marginal effect on ability. Do you mind if we take care of that now?"

"Oh, not at all. Uhh, do you know where you want them?"

"For the Attribute points, I believe that my quirk would benefit most from Constitution and- You're bleeding." Momo looked to his hand and frowned. She held out her hand and a roll of gauze appeared a moment later. "Here, let me take care of that for you."

"Huh? Oh. I didn't even notice. Thank you."

[You have received field treatment from Momo. You are no longer bleeding.]

[You now have a crush on Momo Yaoyorozu. She is so far out of your league.]

"Now then, I believe that the best stats for me are Constitution and Intelligence. If what Itsuka told me about the two is correct I can assume that both would help with my quirk. So can you please put three in each?" Momo brushed a bit of her hair back behind her head and examined his now treated injury. "As for the last one, could we wait on it?"

"Sure, uhh, let me know if you feel anything. And did you know what skills you want?"

Momo turned her head quickly to the side and gasped. He did the same and felt his heart get ready to explode.

All Might in all his glory was standing right in front of him. He didn't even look like he had just been holding up a building for the past hour.

"All Might!" All three of them shouted, stars in their eyes.

"Hello! I am here!" All Might struck his signature pose his smile was wide before he took a step forward. His giant hand fell on Izuku's shoulder. All Might was touching him! Was he legally allowed to bathe now? "Young man, I saw you selflessly try to save this young woman over here. And I just want to know why would you risk your own life to save her?"

"Ahh," All Might was asking him a question! What was he supposed to do? He felt Momo squeezed his hand and Itsuka patted his shoulder. Right! "I umm, she just looked like she wanted to be saved. So I wanted to save her."

"Haha! Excellent my boy, you may indeed have what it takes to be a hero. And you, young miss with, what made you decide to try and save both of them?" All Might turned his gaze to Itsuka.

Itsuka just shrugged. "Izuku's my friend, and for Momo, the answer is simple: I want to be the kind of hero that saves a lot of people."

"I see. Well then. For your heroics today, and looking a crisis head on I believe an award is in order." All Might beamed from ear to ear and pulled out a small notebook. "Might I have your name and address? I wish to give you both a recommendation to U.A."

Itsuka gasped, and rattled off her name and address at breakneck pace. She was bouncing up and down with pure excitement. Wait, where did her ears go? Oh. The effect must have worn off. He probably shouldn't tell her that he thought she looked cute with them.

"And you Young Man?" All Might asked with a gleam in his brilliant blue eyes.

Izuku told him his name and address. "Umm, All Might, sir. My quirk isn't the most useful. Do you really think I can be a hero even if it doesn't help me at times?"

"Hmm, that's a hard question. But, I believe that if you take your quirk to U.A. they will be able to help your forge it into a mighty tool for you as they have done for so many others. Now then. I must be off!"

XXXX

Itsuka couldn't believe her luck!

She squealed and kicked the water in her bath before relaxing. Her cheeks hurt from how much she was smiling. Not only did Izuku unlock skills, and they got a new party member in the form of Momo - she liked the girl a lot, already she could tell that they were going to be fantastic friends, it had only been a few hours and they were already texting - but, All Might had shown up and even gave her and Izuku a recommendation to U.A.!

She didn't know they could do that!

Oh and Izuku wasn't a level two weakling anymore and was now a class that doubled her experience. Which was just awesome, even if it was Harem Protagonist. It probably didn't mean anything because of how sarcastic his quirk tended to be towards him.

Also she was level 9! Wait. She should have asked Izuku if she got anymore stat points! Or skill points! Ahh there were so many awesome things!

And Momo was going to U.A. as well next year.

All things considered her life had been so much better since she met Izuku! Was that why his quirk chose her?

[Izuku Midoriya: OMG! All Might just showed up and said that he wanted to train me and that if I did the right thing, he'll give me his quirk!

Izuku Midoriya: Fuck! Pretend you didn't just read that! But still! I can become a hero now!

Momo Yaoyorozu: What?]

Itsuka blinked and stared at the chat. She felt happy for Izuku. She really did but at the same time.

"What about your own quirk?" She sunk into the bath and stared at her hands.

[You have gained +50 reputation points with {REDACTED}.]

She blinked and the notification was gone. Like it wasn't even there.

AN: *Scratches head* Yeah... fuck canon. Anyways! Hope you all enjoyed