Expect the Unexpected: Mei Hatsume x reader (BOOK 2)

Chapter 36: Baby Steps

It wasn't long before you were somewhat stable, thanks to your spine still being mostly intact. However, you still needed a wheelchair every now and then, in case you got too tired.

"Y/N-chan, please reconsider," Midoriya mumbled, handing you something small. "We don't need to seal the almost."

You looked down at the small object, realising that it was Mei's ring that you'd forgotten about. It had fallen off its chain in the war completely, and was then sent flying even after you pocketed it.

Pursing your lips, you placed it on your finger, hoping that one day a simple gold band could replace it.

'I can't go back to school, all the deaths were my fault,' your assistant voiced as you typed it into the machine. 'I'm going to make sure it wasn't in vain.'

Soon after you'd woken up, you were informed about all the backlash on hero society.

Protests against the hero government as they realised what had happened. You were also filled in on how the Todoroki family had fallen apart, all because Dabi had revealed his identity as Todoroki Touya.

Midnight, Majestic, Native and many others had all died in action, while some were still in a coma.

Many had retired as soon as they saw the destructive effect of the war.

Families torn apart, refugees created, heroes lost and a government fallen apart, all because you hadn't thought ahead.

"Y/N-chan, stop blaming yourself," Midoriya sighed, pulling a chair to sit opposite you. "They all died for my sake, the war happened because of the rivalry between OFA and AFO. Everything went downhill after the USJ attack, and they only came in because Shigaraki wanted to kill All Might."

The USJ attack.

Times when life seemed simpler, when all you had to do was worry about your grades.

It'd only been a couple days since you'd known each other, but a bond formed instantly between a class, something that only grew after the life threatening situations you'd been in.

'We'll get through this,' you sighed, placing your hand on his. 'That's what we always do. We're Class A, right?'

He only smiled in response, hoping you were right.

"Do you have everything you want to take?" He asked, to which you just looked down and nodded.

The costume Mei had made you, the costume that had saved your life, was in tatters. The only thing that could be salvaged from it were your cargo pants, and you were simply going to throw on a hoodie on top of it.

As for your weapons, they only augmented your power, you could do well without them. While they were safe as they'd been protected by your pants, you only wanted one on hand, to decrease suspicion. So you chose to take your staff, the weapon you'd been most comfortable with.

'Shame I won't have my visor,' you mused, wondering on the practicalities, now that your most reliable sense was lost to the war, and you didn't have data to help you.

Midoriya nodded, thinking about how he could help bring your quirk forward.

'But I don't think it matters, I'm not doing fieldwork until I can stand and walk steady,' you sighed. 'I'll manage your work from the sidelines, Endeavour's teaching has to help me sometime, right?'

Neither of you had wanted the moment to come this early. The moment where you'd be in charge as you helped your friends find their footing. The moment where you would all run an agency, maybe hire some sidekicks.

You weren't hiring anyone, nor were you running an agency. However, the work you had to do was similar. You were ensuring that the greenette didn't die so that he could protect his friends.

"I'm sorry, Y/N-chan," Midoriya mumbled.

'Don't worry about it Izuku-kun, I need something to do anyway,' you smiled.

Though there was no happiness behind it.

A grin that could light up entire rooms now completely dulled as the life was drained out of it. A smile without crinkled eyes that sparkled, one that was so forced it almost seemed real.

One you put on to convince yourself.

To convince yourself that it wasn't your fault, that things would get better. But no matter how hard you tried, the physical evidence was in front of you in the form of destruction of a city you loved.

"That reminds me," Midoriya grimaced, handing you an envelope. "Open it when I leave."

You nodded, scanning the envelope. It was from Mei and Kaminari, addressed to Midoriya, who'd evidently opened it and attempted to close it again.

Pocketing the envelope, you stood up shakily, grabbing onto Midoriya's calloused hands for support.

The greenette gently guided you toward the walking section, where you could regain physical strength with the support of the railing on the sides.

"You're doing better Y/N-chan," he smiled softly, rubbing your back before slowly letting go of your hands so that you could grab on to the rails.

Walking was all you did. Forwards, backwards, sideways, patterned steps, anything your friend could think of that could possibly help you regain your strength.

"I see you're doing well," a voice remarked at the doorway.

You turned to see the doctor, who smiled at you, glad that you were making fast progress.

"Midoriya-San you're recording this?" He checked, earning a nod from the greenette, who held up a clipboard. "Good. Take a seat General, rest is important to recovery as well."

You pursed your lips, though begrudgingly limped to your wheelchair.

"Right, I found more news as to why your spine is intact," the doctor began, showing you more scans. "Your quirk is weather, something that relies on your judgement and temperament. Based on your mood, your quirk will react to protect its owner."

You tilted your head, mildly confused.

"A layer of wind covered you, that was the ground zero, which is why there's less damage on your back as expected," he explained. "You wanted to live, General Shirakumo Y/N."

Your eyes widened in realisation.

Your quirk had protected you, both with a vacuum layer of wind and with a layer of clouds you'd placed right before the impact. Not to mention, all the padding in your jacket.

You looked down, legs quivering, as you realised that even after all that, Shigaraki's blast had landed a critical hit on you. But what scared you the most was that even when you'd accepted death multiple times, your instinct always came back to save you.

When you looked up again, you noticed that the doctor and your friend had left, reminding you of the letter in your pocket.

You nervously scanned the grey envelope, curious as to what Mei and Kaminari would say. Sighing, you opened it, fingers shaky.

A neat card fell onto your lap, black with beautiful white writing, which caused you to instantly gasp as you read the inscription.

It wasn't a card, it was an invitation.

An invitation to your own memorial service.

A/N: next chapter might be the service, idk though. Honestly might just have this bitch lurking behind bushes like a creep 💀

QOTD: thoughts on this chapter?

Also pick out your favourite quote, I might start an Instagram account dedicated to these two books in which I'll post any edits of the quotes and/or artwork I make/receive if all goes well.

Comment what you think!

Have a great day/night :)