Divided Minds

18

"This is my sister Al-er..uh sensei, sensei my sister", Izuku finished introducing them, as he nervously fiddled with his hands

"A pleasure, thank you for taking care of my brother", her greeted the man in front of you

Upon reaching the beach her brother had been eager to introduce her to someone. She expected a secret friend but that secret friend  turned out to be a grown man. 

Is this really the guy training my brother  she couldn't help but wonder to herself. He looked awfully fragile, he had sunken eyes and cheeks. He was so thin she feared a big gush of wind would take him away.

"A pleasure", he replied, "Your brother has great potential."

She offered a polite smile, but the awkwardness in the air didn't dissolve. She turned towards her brother offering him a look of help.

"Lets' get training", her brother suddenly blurted out with a pained smile. It seemed even he didn't know what to do about the atmosphere.

She silently jogged besides her brother. Apparently the first thing to do was a lap around the beach, it wouldn't have been as hard. Her feet kept repeatedly sinking into the sand, while the sensei was running without a problem. It was ticking her off.

"Doesn't you teacher resemble a deflated All Might", she mused

"Of course not!", he choked out in surprise

She stared puzzled as she turned away, "I was just joking."

Eventually they came to a full stop, as they began working on hauling the heavy trash across the beach. She was not as prepared as she'd thought she was.

"Here", her brother motioned as he lead her to where two wheels laid, "we've got to carry these now."

She stared in silent regret, "You. You can carry those?"

"Not yet", he replied with slight hesitation, "but if I keep doing it, I'll be able too."

Struggling she hauled the wheel onto her back as she carried it across the beach. The rest of the training felt like hell yet seeing how eager Izuku was to show off, was endearing.

The whole time however his teacher didn't speak much, not towards her at least. He stood at her brother's side cheering him on, on every step. 

She felt something, watching the fondness and pride on his face. Something that felt unfamiliar and almost alien to her. 

"What do you think about my brother?", she asked softly as she stood alongside him, watching Izuku haul another piece of trash

"You're brother has potential to grow", he replied, "he is eager to grow, and become to greatest."

"Not the best?", she asked with a teasing tone

"No because the greatest last long on the work line."

[.....]

He watched as his sister left, she'd had a short conversation with All Might before leaving. As he stared after her, he was unaware of his teacher's focus on him.

"Your sister seems nice", he approached him slowly

"She is", he replied with fondness, "She works hard, so I need to keep training if I want to catch up."

All Might watched him and sighed not having the heart to tell but knowing he had too.

"Midoriya we should talk."

Midoriya couldn't describe the way his smile faltered or the gut feeling he wasn't going to like what his teacher was going to say.

"You recall my master?"

"Of course, she was an amazing hero", Izuku turned towards his teacher

"What do you think her biggest sacrifice was?"

"Her life."

"Her family."

"She had a family", Midoriya asked surprised

"As big as her fame was, so were the countless enemies. She had a son...a son she chose to protect even if it pained her. Being the carrier of One For All , takes sacrifices "

Midoriya stared at the rolling waves, as what his teacher was talking about started settling in. 

"Are you saying...", he couldn't say it

"I'm not saying you'll have to d-"

"No."

"No?" All Might chocked out 

Midoriya turned to face his teacher, "Do not look down on my sister like that, she isn't some princess in a pink dress. She's the knight with the sword."

All Might stared at his student in silence. 

"She's everything I wish I was, she's strong, independent and confident", Izuku said, "If I hadn't grabbed your leg that day of the attack, would it be me or my sister standing here in front of you?"

All Might stood in stunned silence, it was true he had recently noticed the difference between the twins. He knew his answer.

"You."

"You're lying."

The day of the slime incident, the difference in twins was more obvious than ever. As he stood back his body too weak to bare to turn into his hero form. 

He watched as she stepped forward and controlled the flames, creating a path for the heroes. 

At first he'd been impressed and almost believed he'd found his rightful successor but realized. She'd done so because the boy being held hostage was friends with her brother. 

If it'd been anyone he truly believed, she would've walked away without a single shred of remorse in her. 

The answer didn't satisfy his student as he seemed to want to push it but thought better of it. Turning back to his workout, he allowed himself to remember his glory days. 

[....]

The following day her brother, had left early to school, leaving her to walk alone. As she stood at an intersection waiting for the light to turn green. 

"Hi there", a voice whispered into her ear, making her skin crawl

Her heart pace quickened, the people around her unaware of the threat standing alongside them.

"What do you want?", she croaked out, her hold on her school bag tightening

The figure stepped closer, now she could better see her captor. A girl with blonde hair, which was held back in twin buns. She wore a school uniform, one she didn't recognize.

"Let's go on a little trip, what do you say? My little hero?"

"Doesn't sound like an open invitation."

"Let's go, little hero. We can't be late."

"Where are you taking me", she asked her voice low, she watched as everyone else crossed the street leaving her alone with this girl.

"You ask a lot of questions, that can get you killed."