Shattered Dreams

Lean On Me - part 2

2015

All Might cleared his throat and scratched the back of his neck. A wide, nostalgic grin stretched all the way to his ears.
The memories were still as clear as back then...! Right now he was almost sweating and he felt his cheeks heat up.

The Symbol of Peace shot Izuku a glance, wondering how come he had let him speak for so lon-

- ...M-Midoriya-shōnen what are you writing in that notebook?! he choked, flushing as crimson as a ripe tomato.

Izuku gave a start and raised his eyes, not much better.

- A-Ah, I'm just taking a few notes! This is always how I proceed in any situation, I can read them again when I have time and they help me come up with a clear strategy! he hurried in explaining. ... B-But don't worry, there's no way I'm letting Kacchan steal it from me this time!

- Wh-...? What do you mean, "this time"?!!

All Might's eyes widened, causing his young successor to drop his pencil and wave both hands in the air in utter panic.

- Aaah, don't look at me like that!! I promise you can trust me on this!! he quickly added, cold sweat running down his neck. Plus I need to compare with what Todoroki-kun learned on his side!

His mentor's expression instantly shifted to a confused one.
- On his side? ... Hold on, you mean he went to Endeavor?

- Yes, Todoroki-kun visited him at his agency last night!

All Might kept silent.

He looked away and joined hands in an uneasy gesture.

- I see, he muttered, not really knowing how to react. ...So whatever he might have learned, does it match with what I just told you?

Izuku nodded.
- Endeavor was way more, uh, evasive, but yeah, his version seems to correspond so far. What came out weird was the ending, though, he admitted. We believe there must have been a misunderstanding somewhere.

He didn't miss how somber All Might's face suddenly grew, nor his quivering eyes.

Izuku swallowed, as he could feel the story was about to take a much sadder turn.
His stomach tightened and he tapped the tip of his pencil on his chin, looking for the best approach.

- Anyway... tell me if I'm wrong, but I guess you two kept it low-key, didn't you? I mean, even though dating wasn't forbidden at UA at the time, you couldn't put your reputations at stake. Right?

The blond crossed his arms, thoughtful.

- Correct. I don't think Endeavor's parents would have been so thrilled if they had found out that not only was he dating another boy, but that I was stronger than him. So when we trained at his place we'd act like rivals, nothing else. And neither did our friends find out either... except a girl from his class who walked in on us once.

- Oh right, Haruki-san or something?

- Yes. But she turned out to- ...wait a minute, how do yo-

All Might cut himself short to glare at Izuku, who was blushing again and biting his lip in embarrassment.

The Symbol of Peace frowned, blinked — and then the only possible explanation occurred to him.
He suddenly felt like hiding in a mouse hole and never come out.

- ...Oh my God, he let out in utter astonishment, does this footage still exist?!

Izuku cleared his throat and looked to his feet.