Learning to be the best (Izuocha)

Chapter 43- The Truth (and dare)

*Ochaco's POV*

The rest of the week was pretty awkward. Deku mainly stayed in his room, as he wasn't exactly sure what his classmates would think of him. He spent most of the school day on his own as well. I have been really missing his comfort. Despite most of the class understanding why he saved and helped Toga; he still felt the need to isolate himself for a few days. I've never seen him so... emotional. Not even after his mom died. Even Mr. Aizawa seemed to understand why Deku did what he did, in fact, he seems even more accepting of his decision than anyone else. Sure he was pretty angry at the beginning,  There was one person, however, who seemed angered by his actions. Iida. For some reason, the mention of Deku working with Stain really angered him. It felt awful living in that atmosphere, working in that atmposphere, he became a lot stricter on everyone and he never shied away from talking about how 'disappointed' he was in his decision. Sometimes I found it difficult staying in the same room as him while he slandered Deku. I hated it, and I hated him for it. It was Thursday afternoon and tensions between the class couldn't be higher. Most of us, minus Deku, Iida and Bakugo, were circled in the common room, as we usually were in the evenings after class.

"I hate this." I say to my friends, "I hate this atmosphere," I was met with general agreement,

"I just wish they would get along again. It's been so boring and uncomfortable without either of them being normal." Shoji said.

"I don't understand why Iida is so mad at Midoriya for this." Kaminari takes a second to ponder, before Jiro hits him with a pillow,

"You're an idiot. Don't you remember his brother was hospitalized because of Stain?"

"Oh right... yeah" the blond says while rubbing his nose, easing his pain.

"I can see why Iida is so angry. I would be lying if I said I wasn't a little angry too. The things we went through that night in Hosu... it just surprises me he was so willing to work with him." Todoroki adds. It was then, when everyone realized that Iida was actually in the kitchen, and he made his way over after hearing our conversation.

"I'll explain why I'm disappointed." He says while setting his drink down, Toru interrupts him though,

"Wait! Get Midoriya. I think it'll be helpful if he hears this."

"I agree," I say as I get up to go to his room. A few seconds of convincing goes by, and I return back into the common room with a rather reluctant Deku.

"Yes?" he says in a monotone voice.

"I'm here to explain to you, my frustrations." My green haired boyfriend nods as he takes a seat on the sofa. I plop down next to him, holding his arm, anticipating the unfolding events. "Stain is a serial killer. One of the escaped convicts from Tartarus prison. He's a wanted criminal and yet, you still chose to work with him. After all he's done to society, after all he's done to me. As a friend. Can't you understand why I'm as angry as I am." Deku takes a moment to process what Iida was saying but he didn't say anything. "Why aren't you trying to justify your actions?" Iida asks with an annoyed tone. 

"Why are you really angry?" Deku says in a chilling tone. He still had his face turned and looking at the ground as Iida was getting more and more frustrated. "Just because he's a villain, doesn't mean he's beyond redemption. I'm not saying that he hasn't done things that he should take responsibility for. And his view on society is so skewed, that he thinks it's okay to kill. If I can help him see the difference between right and wrong. If I can I help him help society. If he can help me with the criminals that roam the streets freely, why not? Why don't I use his help?"

"Because... don't you realize? He's a wanted criminal. The police are after him. Working with Stain will only serve to incriminate you."

"That's not a problem. Hawks has already informed the police about this... but they haven't told the public or any other pro heroes."