The Man Behind the Screen

Play the Game

MIDORIYA'S POV

I pulled into the drive of a house I used to call home. It still looked the same as the day I moved out. She must be paying someone to mow the yard. I know she isn't doing it. She hates to mow. I walked up to the door and knocked. It took Itsuka about five minutes to come to the door. I am sure she did it on purpose, just like she made a show of putting my tie on right on the front porch. Her eyes cut into me. "Izuku, you really should learn how to do this yourself. You're a grown man." I clenched my jaw. She never did this before, but ever since I moved out, she took any chance to talk down to me.

I looked into her eyes, eyes that used to hold love and softness now only held dark coldness. I said nothing as she took my left hand and walked to the car. I am sure she was only making sure my ring was still on my finger. God, how I want to take it off so bad. I opened the car door for her and closed it after she was inside. I quickly made my way around to my door and got inside.

Starting the car and baking out, I didn't want to have an awkward silent drive, so I made small talk. "You look nice."

Turing to look out the window, she loudly sighed. "We don't have to do this."

The two of us sat at a red light. "I am just trying to be civil, and I mean it. You do look nice."

She shook her head at me. "No! you don't get to say things like that to me." I felt my face heat up from shame and embarrassment at her words. The rest of the drive was silent. I pulled up in front of a tall, shiny glass building, and a parking valet waited to take my car. I got out, handing my spear key over. I made my way to Itsuka's side of the vehicle and opened her door. She stepped out, and flashes of light went off. I knew the media would be here, but it still sucks. The event is aired live every year, but the media can still be crazy.

I stood there as she wrapped her arm around mine so we could walk in as the perfect couple everyone thought we were. I put on my best fake smile, which I had been doing for a while now, so it wasn't that hard. On the other hand, trying hard not to break down on the spot, knowing I was legally free but still bound by the short leash she used to choke out my soul almost daily, was the hardest. That and asking my friends to do the same. Actually, that is harder than having to do it myself.

"Hero, Deku over here." After that first voice, several more "Over here's" were coming from all directions. I just took my time and tried to cover them all as we both posed for the flashes of light. One of us always had a hand on the other. Whether we held hands, she wrapped an arm around me, or I placed my hand on her back. "Contact is key. You must play the game and better not screw it up." That is what she told me every time we made a public appearance.

We finally made our way into the building and to the Toshinori Banquet Hall. The floor is black granite with gold flecks scattered across the tile. Large chandeliers hang from the ceiling; the walls are gorgeous Venetian plaster. That is where I found a very pregnant Uraraka and her husband. "Hey, guys, this is crazy, like every year." She smiled at us from the oversized round table with our name plaques.

I was situated between her and Itsuka. I pulled the chair out for my 'Wife.' I didn't take my seat until Itsuka was seated in hers. Great, Kacchan is directly across from me, between Kirishima and Sero, with their spouses on either side of them. Everyone takes their seats as the servers start bringing out the food. This is the signal for everything to start. First, we will examine the year's highlights of Hero's accomplishments. No one says it, but they usually go from least impressive to the most.

Uwabami is hosting again this year. No surprise there. "This year, we have some younger heroes in the spotlight." Her voice boomed around the room as the screen behind her lit up with pictures of some familiar faces—Kaminari's interview from a few weeks ago when he captured a villain with a water Quirk. Along with Ashido and Tsu, the time they rescued some kids from a clown villain who was turning children into balloon animals. As a parent, I think that should be higher on the chart.