9

"Itsuka?" The light knock on the door followed by her mother's voice made Itsuka instantly aware that something was mildly off. "Are you still in bed? If you don't hurry you're going to be late."

"Nyah! I'm up!" She shot up out of bed, crawling forward and scrambling for her dresser, namely the pile of clean clothes on top of it and began to find her school uniform. Why didn't her phone wake her up? She had her alarm set! And she didn't even stay up that late! "Don't worry mom, I'm almost done."

Assuming wearing just a T-shirt was done, then she really was done. Besides if she walked out now they'd have an awkward talk about why she currently had cat ears. Every time she used the skin, she felt just ever so slightly like a perverted degenerate. But the upsides kind of crushed her reservations. Namely that the underwear that came with it was always clean, and really super comfortable, and then there was just something so pleasing about sleeping with cat ears and a tail, it just made her want to curl up and snooze the night away.

She wasn't entirely certain if her cuddling Izuku and forcing him to rub her ears after he was teleported into Momo's bed was a good thing or a bad thing. On the one hand, ear rubbing felt absolutely amazing, and the fact that Izuku was doing it was… Not something she should be thinking about right now!

"Disable Sexy Cat Girl skin," she muttered just above a whisper and the ears and tail vanished, as did the underwear that came with the skin, in their place were the clean set she had put on last night, still clean, still fresh, and still holding her all there. With a small stretch she got dressed in her highschool outfit, and made for the door.

That night at Momo's had only been about a week ago. And ever since she was aware that it was not a dream that Izuku had petted her ears until they both fell asleep,— the fact that he had also got a good amount of Momo boob action was not lost on her— she had a really hard time looking Izuku in the eye. Let alone not feeling awkward as hell around him.

And he had apparently felt the same.

Momo had been mortified at the start but was quick to accept the situation as not really Izuku's fault, though Izuku did apologize profusely for the whole deal. The pancakes that changed their eye colors were a pretty good apology in of themselves.

Maybe they'd be able to do something this weekend. So she could properly talk to Izuku and Momo and try to sort out this whole thing between them. Momo had likewise been uneasy afterward. And it wasn't just all the testing they had to do.

That, and maybe she could sort out her feelings. The emotional ones that were supposed to be bottled up. Like the fact that she might have a bit of a thing for Izuku. She really didn't know why. Maybe it was because he was her first real friend since her family moved. Momo was the same way. Not the crush on Izuku part. Well, maybe. But they both just ended up not having a lot of friends despite being popular at school. In Momo's case, people were afraid of her because she was a super rich girl and didn't know how to deal with that. For Itsuka, well, apparently, being able to kick someones ass three ways to Sunday didn't really help make her friendly.

It wasn't her fault they all sucked at fighting.

"Itsuka! If you keep standing there lost in thought about cute boys — or girls, I don't judge!— you're going to be late." Her mother's voice was sing-song and fairy like as she hummed from the kitchen.

"I'm done, I'm done!" She fastened her skirt and double checked herself in the mirror, no makeup but that was normal, and she didn't have any zits. Wow, it'd been a while since she had one, maybe that was another thing that charisma did? Or was it tied with her con score? She ran her hand through her hair and found it largely knot free. All in all, she looked like she always did.

She grabbed her bag and began to pull her hair into her ponytail. "M'kay mom, bye mom, love you mom."

"Wait, honey, here, take this." her mother tossed her a… piece of toast with jelly on it? "Sorry, it's all I had in the kitchen today."

"Oh, well don't worry about it, mom! I'll see you later."

Itsuka bounced out of her home and took nearly three steps onto the main road before she came to a dead stop. Late for school? Jelly on toast in her mouth? This had anime opening written all over it. She had no doubt that Izuku's quirk could arrange something like that.

"You're not going to get me." She looked around the corner, making certain it was clear before she dared to step into it. The last thing she needed was for Izuku or Momo to randomly crash into her, they fall down, and then either she's kissing one of them, or there's some hand to boob action.

She really needed to think of a better name for Izuku's quirk too. Ehh. Screw it. She was going to call it what it was.

"What do you think, Quirky? The Game? If you like it, I'll take a +1 to a stat." She looked around; nope, no notification. She went from thinking that Izuku's quirk might be ever so slightly alive to thinking it was just messing with her.

XXXX

Itsuka bit her lip, scanning the board for her name on the rankings. She felt good about her exams, and there was just no way that she wouldn't be in the top twenty of her grade.

[Achievement Unlocked: Number One.

Beauty and Brains? Why are you falling for a loser like Izuku again?

Reward: Your crush. You have one. On Izuku. Actually that might be more of a punishment.]

Okay, seriously, it was a good thing that no one else could see each other achievements. And why did Izuku's quirk know about her crush? She didn't even know her crush! Mostly because she totally wasn't crushing on Izuku. Like really, that just so wasn't happening.

Maybe a little.

Stupid quirk!

[+3000 Exp]

[Congratulations! You have leveled up! You are now a lvl 14 Monk!]

Oh! Neat! Never mind, awesome quirk was awesome.

[Itsuka Kendo: Guess who just got rank one in their whole class and leveled up as well?

Momo Yaoyorozu: You as well? That really was a lot of exp. Oh and I'm rank one as well. Congratulations, Itsuka.

Itsuka Kendo: Thank you as well, Momo. How'd you do, Izuku?

Itsuka Kendo: Izuku?

Izuku Midoriya: Uhh, I uhh, I passed.

Momo Yaoyorozu: That sounds like you barely passed. Izuku. Are you alright?

Itsuka Kendo: I knew we should have cheated by using the group chat.

Momo Yaoyorozu: Oh, that's actually a good idea. Why didn't you suggest it sooner?

Itsuka Kendo: It felt like using his quirk would be cheating.

Momo Yaoyorozu: A girl in my class gets hyper intelligence whenever she consumes tea. She was allowed to have a thermos of tea during the whole testing process. Additionally, I don't believe that there are any explicit rules against quirks for the purpose of taking tests, I actually believe that U.A. may encourage it. Actually, I'm surprised I hadn't thought of it.

Itsuka Kendo: I'm surprised you're okay with it. I mean we can't use our phones during tests.

Izuku Midoriya: I'm fine. I'm in the top twenty of my grade.

Itsuka Kendo: Hmm, I don't trust that "I'm fine". Izuku, is something bothering you?

Izuku Midoriya: Yes.

Izuku Midoriya: No! I mean No! Ignore that. Stupid quirk!

Itsuka Kendo: Alright, so something is bothering you. Is it about that whole your quirk teleporting you into Momo's bed? Cause please stop worrying about that. Both me and Momo don't blame you. Besides, I like the Exp boost.

Momo Yaoyorozu: What Itsuka said. Izuku, if something is bothering you, please talk to us. You're our friend.

Izuku Midoriya: Why? Why are you my friend?

Itsuka Kendo: Because we are.

Izuku Midoriya: No. It's not. It's because of my quirk. My quirk is making you be my friends. You wouldn't like me if it didn't make you!

Itsuka Kendo: What are you talking about? Yeah, we met because of your quirk, but its not making us be friends.

Izuku Midoriya: Yes it is! It's why you don't hate me right now. It's making you like me, it's making you not hate me. Oh god, what if it made All Might choose me? I don't feel so good.

Momo Yaoyorozu: Izuku, calm down, I can assure you that mine and Itsuka's friendship is genuine.

Itsuka Kendo: Dude, calm down. Your quirk isn't why we like you. You're my friend. My first real friend in years.

Izuku Midoriya: How do you know that?

Izuku Midoriya: You don't. You don't know that.

Izuku Midoriya: My quirk could have made you think you didn't have any friends. It could just make you think that you like me. Why can't you understand this? What if its wasn't for my quirk then you'd end up hating me? What if my Quirk is the only thing stopping you from hating me?

Itsuka Kendo: Dude. Stop.

Izuku Midoriya has left the chat.

Itsuka Kendo: You're just making things worse! Stop trying to cheapen mine and Momo's feelings.

Itsuka Kendo: Wait, he can do that?

Momo Yaoyorozu: Apparently.

Momo Yaoyorozu: I'm sorry. I should have paid more attention to him.

Itsuka Kendo: No it's fine, I thought we were all just being awkward because of what happened. I didn't think it would be eating Izuku that much.

Momo Yaoyorozu: I can understand his concern though.

Itsuka Kendo: What do you mean?

Momo Yaoyorozu: The reputation gain. I could see how he could assume that was his quirk influencing us. Like when we went clothing shopping it said that I completed a quest that I was on a date with you.

Itsuka Kendo: What? That wasn't a date. Well, not really.

Momo Yaoyorozu: I get that. But, just imagine what Izuku is going through. His quirk is rather cruel to him at times. It could be telling him that we're only hanging out with him because of it. I don't think that's the case. But it could be.

Momo Yaoyorozu: Honestly, maybe we should have gotten mad at him when he got teleported into my bed.

Itsuka Kendo: Yeah, but it wasn't really his fault. I don't think either of us would get mad over nothing.

Momo Yaoyorozu: I know I know. But still, it probably didn't help his new mindset. That could be why he hasn't been talking to us.

Itsuka Kendo: Well I'm pretty pissed at him right now. It's like the more I think about it the more I want to run over and smack him for thinking that my feelings for him were because of his quirk.

Momo Yaoyorozu: I agree. Perhaps we've been a bit too gentle with him?

Itsuka Kendo: So I can smack him?

Momo Yaoyorozu: If the situation calls for it. But I think we should make it explicitly clear how we feel about him.

Itsuka Kendo: But I don't even know how I feel about him.

Itsuka Kendo: Crap. Guess that's out of the bag.

Momo Yaoyorozu: Huh? What do you mean.

Itsuka Kendo: Oh nothing, nothing at all. Anyways, class is about to start. I'm going to find him after school.

Momo Yaoyorozu: I agree. Do you know where he'll be?

Itsuka Kendo: Training with All Might, most likely, I'm going to. Actually wait. I'm just going to use his quirk.

Momo Yaoyorozu: Hmm?

Itsuka Kendo: You'll see. Actually hopefully you won't.

Momo Yaoyorozu: Why do I feel like I should be concerned?]

XXXX

"Izuku my boy!" All Might's cheerful voice tore him from his thoughts. "Is something wrong? Did your tests not go that well?"

Izuku looked up, the vague soreness of his body rushing over him with enough force to knock him on his back. That or it was the sudden shift in weight from All Might grabbing the appliance he had been moving through the sand. There was still so much junk left to grab, but there was a clear channel to the ocean now.

"Huh?" He asked through the haze that had been following him. He had managed to ignore most of it by focusing on his tests. But, that distraction bit him in the ass. Then his quirk all but made him spill the beans. Thought to text was way too dangerous when he couldn't stop himself from thinking stupid shit all the time.

"You seem out of it. Are you okay?" All Might moved the appliance with ease and sat down on the ground next to him.

Izuku shook his head and sighed. "It's nothing."

"It's not nothing. You're normally a bit down in the dumps, but this is more severe than normal. Now please. Tell me what's bothering you."

"I, well, I'm." What was he so worried about? His quirk? That he fought with Itsuka and Momo today? That All Might wouldn't have chosen him if it wasn't for his quirk making it happen? "I'm worried about my quirk?"

Why did that sound more like a question than an answer?

"The cooking one?" All Might asked leaning back.

"No, well, yes. It's more than that. But. I don't know if it's manipulating people."

All Might raised an eyebrow and let out a cough, now in his skinnier form. "What do you mean?"

"Well, one of the things it does it show me how much reputation I have with someone. And recently I got an ability that makes it so if I were to lose rep with someone, I won't, not unless I really piss them off. It only effects on Itsuka and Momo, but."

"But you're worried that they're not really your friends?" All Might asked leaning back.

Izuku nodded, now staring at the sand. Everything felt like it was in a haze to him. Even this conversation with All Might felt like a distant echo. How was he supposed to tell All Might that it might not have been All Might's choice that he choose him?

"I went through the same thing when I became All Might. No matter how much I tried, I couldn't shake the feeling that everyone was only my friend because I was All Might and not because they were friends." All Might placed a hand on Izuku's shoulder and hummed. "I think it's a difficult thing that everyone goes through. The idea that nobody is truly your friend. Part of growing up is learning to find those true friends, and keeping everyone else as an ally."

All Might gave a small laugh. "Though I suppose I'm still trying to figure that out."

"I get that sir, I really do. But, this is different. I think my quirk might be making them like me. It's why we even met. And then there's you. What if it made you chose me?" The panic was setting in. The world was spinning, his breath was short. "I mean there's nothing special about me. I'm not strong, I'm not fast, I'm not smart, I'm just some kid that complains a lot about everything. So why me?"

"Hmm, surprised we didn't have this conversation sooner." All Might resumed his muscle form and stood. "You see my boy, I saw you. I saw everything you were doing that night. It was taking all of my might to keep that building from collapsing. I saw your friend Momo start to fall. A few years ago, I could have saved both her and stop the building with ease. But I didn't think that I could move that fast."

All Might struck a heroic pose and pointed a finger at Izuku. "But then! I saw you. Some young boy. You were running away, and saw her. That look in your eyes. I knew it then. That you wanted to save that girl more than anything in that moment. And so you did." All Might patted him on the shoulder and deflated once more. "My boy, I choose you the moment I saw your conviction. So please. Do not doubt me. And stop doubting yourself."

"Thanks."

But that didn't change anything. That didn't help him figure out why Itsuka and Momo were friends with him. What his quirk was doing to them? It didn't change that-

The world stopped.

[Harem Protagonist skill activated]

[Summoning Itsuka Kendo - Tsundere Mode]

[Itsuka Kendo: Fucking Finally!]

His eyes were torn upward and he saw Itsuka burst through that grey sky bringing back the color he hadn't realized was gone with her bright green eyes and lush orange hair. And those eyes were furious at him. But more importantly. What the hell was she wearing?

It looked like a pair of pink leggings, leather shorts that were smaller than his own boxers, white boots with flames on the tips, a pair of orange sunglasses, a pink scarf, and then to top it off she was wearing a skimpy black bikini that had flames on it. She had a really defined stomach.

The world resumed and Itsuka landed on top of him with enough force to send sand flying everywhere.

[You have taken 5 damage from dat ass]

"You're a fucking idiot, Izuku!" Itsuka grabbed onto his shirt and shook him before pushing him down into the sand. "You didn't even think to talk about this bullshit with us? Do you have any idea how worried Momo and I were? Huh?"

She flicked him in the head. Hard.

[You have taken 1 damage from Itsuka Kendo. All things considered you're getting off lucky.]

She flicked him again, and again, and again, a barrage of flicks pelting him in the head.

"What kind of stupid dumb ass thinks that his friends aren't really his friends because his perverted, jerk, of a quirk said so huh?" Itsuka stopped her barrage and glared at him, Tsundere Mode was scary. She grabbed him by his shirt and glared at him closer. "I'm going to make this very, very clear Izuku. Your quirk has no control over how I feel about you. You got that?"

"But I-"

She shook him.

[Itsuka Kendo is Hangry, try feeding your girlfriend before she finds out if she can actually beat some sense into you.]

"For months I listened to you complain about how your quirk was useless, how it never did anything for you. So why are you thinking that it's giving you friends now huh?" Itsuka pressed her finger against his forehead and rubbed it hard.

[Momo Yaoyorozu: Izuku, listen to Itsuka. I'll give you a piece of my mind afterwards]

"Oww! That hurts."

"Good! It hurts how stupid you are sometimes so this makes us even!"

"Gah! I'm sorry, I'm sorry!"

"What are you sorry for?"

"For being stupid."

"Close enough."

Itsuka stood, now smiling down at him as she extended that same hand that had just been abusing him moments ago down in peace. The moment he took her hand she pulled him up into a tight hug. "Don't you think for a second that I'm not your friend, Izuku. Same goes for Momo."

"Alright, Itsuka. I'll try." He muttered face feeling just as red as could be. Having a girl pop out of nowhere, shout at him and then hug him like that, what was All Might thinking? Oh, he was smiling behind Itsuka giving a thumbs up. Ahh. Guess he didn't have to worry about that. "Sorry for being an idiot."

"It's alright," Itsuka stepped back and laughed. Wait, why did she have a giant sniper rifle on her back? "I'm used to you being a bit on the stupid side."

"Umm, can I just ask you what you're wearing?" He looked down at her bikini top for just a moment. She had really nice boobs. But he knew that. They weren't as big as Momo's but they were still a lot bigger than most girls in his class. And probably nicer too. And he was thinking about boobs again.

Couldn't blame that on his class.

"Huh?" Itsuka looked down and her eyes went wide. "Oh! Disable Yoko Littner Skin!"

In an instant she changed back into her school clothes and let out a breath of air.

"Sorry about that, I needed to find something embarrassing to wear so that your quirk would summon me." Itsuka laughed, her face growing red. "I didn't know if it would work but I'm glad it did. Now then, uhh, where exactly are we? I kind of need to hurry to practice."

"Dagobah beach." All Might said softly. "Northern side."

"Dagobah? Oh man, I'm going to have to hurry. Alright. See you later, Izuku. And if you ever think something stupid again let me know so I can smack it out of you!" Itsuka hugged him again and ran off. "Oh, and Momo wants a piece of you too! Expect a very firm discussion over tea!"

[Quest failed. You failed to confess to Itsuka Kendo. Who you have a major crush on. You're really bad at being a harem protagonist. Wait. Actually this might be par for the course.]

"You know," All Might chuckled and slapped him on the back. "A strong willed girl like that won't let your quirk control her. That and she might be more terrifying than your quirk."

Izuku just nodded in agreement. Girls were wonderful, terrifying magical creatures. And Itsuka was no exception.

AN: Hey!... this chapter was more DRAMA than FUNNY! originally I wanted to write depressed Izuku trying to avoid Itsuka and Momo, but then I realized that would be boring. Hope you enjoyed this chapter!