Out of Place & Out of Sorts

Ch.57 - Ground Zero

*Glug*

*Glug*

Toshinori poured tea into the two cups on the coffee table, not saying a word.

Izuku, opposite him, merely watched as his cup filled, also remaining silent.

Once the mentor was finished, he sighed as he nursed his cup inches from his mouth.

The tension was heavy in the air ever since Izuku entered the room. All-Might had a text to meet him in their usual room shortly after the near fiasco with Ryuko.

While the man was curious why the boy suddenly flew off, he wanted to deal with one thing at a time. "So, where would you like to start? Should I go first?"

The boy grabbed his teacup and sighed. "I would like to know what you saw in those records first. Apparently, Ryukyu didn't actually see them."

"I see. Well, I imagine the records aren't too different from things you've seen firsthand, only with fewer details. It was mostly a list of victims and descriptions of what Bakugo did to them... sometimes there were even photos of the scars he left on them."

The grimace was all too obvious on the man's face, and so was the lacking 'young' before Bakugo's name.

Izuku looked sullenly at his tea. "And you figured he did the same to me?"

Toshi's eyes grew curious. "Didn't he?"

Izuku sighed again. As much as he wanted to avoid all of this, All-Might knew too much to be kept out of it anymore. "He did... I never got any lasting scars as some did; maybe I have my dad's heat resistance to thank for that, but he used his Quirk on me many times throughout my life. Whenever he thought I was getting in his way, being dumb, irritating, or any other sleight you can think of."

All-Might's grip on his cup tightened considerably. "Why did you tell me you were only bitter rivals, young Midoriya? He's clearly your tormentor!"

"Because I didn't want to drag anyone else into this. What happened was between Kaachan and me. He might've been my tormentor once, but I'm strong enough to stand up for myself now. Even if something were to occur, which it hasn't in months, I can defend myself."

"You shouldn't have to defend yourself, young Midoriya. There shouldn't even be a risk of a conflict like that in a class. Frankly, I'd have you in separate classes if I could... Or have Bakugo dropped into general studies."

Izuku frowned. "You know as well as I do that would be a waste of his potential."

Toshi frowned back. "With everything I've learned and seen, his potential has already gone to waste."

The boy became grim. "Didn't you used to think he could be more? Isn't that why you let him in on One-For-All?"