Of Flames And Quirks And Harmony

CHAPTER 17: Fear Not

Tsuyu Asui was many things. She was a girl, a frog, a human, a blunt person, a nice daughter, a weirdo, and a decent friend. But most importantly, she was a sister. It’s why she could tell Midoriya had no family-related experience, well, aside from what his posse showered him with, calling him their family and throwing off threats to whoever (namely Bakugo) tries to hurt him and all that.

She wouldn’t pry of course, it wasn’t her place, but she would make sure he remained cared for all the same. It did worry her that he never seemed to bond with anyone aside from this group he came with. Well, not that she should be surprised. It's just been a week since school started, anyway, so maybe it's just fine, just normal.

The group of friends he's had was strange, too. Everyone of them had this guarded, calculated, and alert look in their eyes that was on for seemingly 24/7 (if that was possible even when your eyes are closed during sleep). They felt approachable, and yet they kept everyone at a certain distance. Like they never wanted to be too close to anyone in particular. Except maybe Bakugo, but for threatening purposes, because Bakugo kept on his attempts at attacking Midoriya, for whatever reasons Tsuyu couldn't put a finger on.

Midoriya was... Kinda different. Sawada always kept Bakugo far away from Midoriya, with Yamamoto and Chrome-chan stepping in to prevent the blond from attacking the brunet instead, and Gokudera just jabbed on Bakugo even more, as if anticipating the latter to explode even more. Shinso would always be beside - if not in front like a shield - Midoriya, probably keeping him grounded where he stood or sit, because Midoriya did have this tendency to stimulate Bakugo even more.

The way he fought their share of villains back at the flood zone sent shudders at Tsuyu's body. He felt cold, almost sending her into hibernation (not that that was possible; she's a frog-morphed human, after all). There was this deranged gleeful look in his face that she expected to see on Bakugo's face, not on Midoriya's as he defeated every villain with various attack patterns, quickly changing from one move to another the villains had a hard time getting a read on him. They were too absorbed on Midoriya Tsuyu was left to look for an opening to jump her and Midoriya away, as she had nothing to do until the right moment.

But none of that matters at the moment, because Sawada came - landed - just beside them both.

"Status?" He asked and looked at where they were watching the father and son duo.

"They're beaten up. Aizawa-sensei's been hit by the head a couple of times already by that monstrous thing and has a broken elbow. Hitoshi kept the enemies at bay probably so his father can focus on the beast," she reported.

"Damnit. I gave that to him. Literally threw it in front of everyone. Why does he not use it?"

"You gave him a gun, Izuku?" Sawada deadpanned, much to her horror. A gun?

"The bullets are Rain while the gun itself is made up of Mist and Cloud." Oh, what are they even talking about now?

"Probably gone by now if that's the makeup. Anyway, Tsuyu-chan, while I have complete trust over Izuku's abilities, I'd like to ask you, think you can quickly grab Aizawa-sensei as I go and disturb that thing?" Sawada asked.

Before the frog girl could even answer, Shigaraki Tomura suddenly prowled at them, hands outstretched, and grabbed her face. But nothing happened. He clicked his tongue and said, "still heroic. Eraserhead."

Just as Eraserhead released his quirk on Shigaraki, Midoriya was already on the air, maiming a punch to the villain. But all was for naught, as the nomu that was holding their teacher was quick to defend its master. The nomu grabbed Midoriya's wrist, Shigaraki went on trying to get Asui as Sawada prepared flame bursts on both hands to attack the 2 villains -