After the unexpected departure of his mother, Japan's number one idol, Izuku Midoriya, also known as Deku, finds himself thrust into a new challenge. His manager has secretly entered him into a contest as the lead singer of an unknown band. Alongsid...
"I just got a hair cut and a few pericings" I chuckled
"And a tattoo!!" The three yelled back.
I turned to the still silent Bakugo.
"Long time no see, Bakugo."
The blonde regarded me with his cold demeanor, a little shocked at the use of his last name.
"No nickname for BakuBro?" Kami observed aloud.
I turned away from the blonde and spoke to all of them.
"Did you guys bring your equipment?"
They gave me incredulous looks, and I held up my hands.
"Just checking." I moved to sit in my chair and gestured for them to start setting up.
"First things first, I want to hear you play."
"Just because we aren't really known doesn't mean we can't play," Bakugo snapped.
"Someone found their voice," I teased the blonde. "And it's not that."
"Then what is it?" the pom-pom spat.
"I'll tell you after you play," I said, smiling at one of the workers who brought in a drum set for the angry dandelion.
"And if we refuse to play?" Bakugo huffed, raising his eyebrows.
"Bakugo, cut it out," Mina hissed.
"Yeah, bro, not cool," Kami stated.
"Well, if you refuse to play, it's simple really." I met the blonde's glare with my own. "I'll drop your sorry ass and find a band who wants to work with me."
They all stared at me in shock.
"Did he say 'ass'?" Kiri whispered to Kami, who nodded stiffly.
"That's fine with me," Bakugo shot back.
"Before you wreck this opportunity for your entire band, remember this: I am the only reason you will be able to play in this competition. No me, no comp," I narrowed my eyes.
Did I feel bad for putting Bakugo in his place? No. Did I feel bad for threatening the entire band?
Yes. Yes, I did.
Bakugo regarded me with a slightly shocked gaze before looking at his bandmates.
I nodded. "That's what I thought. So please choose a song and play."
"He has definitely changed," Kami muttered.
Once they decided on a song and Bakugo sat down, their melody washed over me.
It was beautiful, I'll say that. But it was clear that Aizawa was right.
Once they finished their piece, I clapped.
"It was good," I nodded.
"Just good?" Mina grinned.
"Yes, just good," I said bluntly, which made everyone still.
"What you guys are missing is someone to actually carry your instruments," I tapped my chin ignoring the confused looks as I spoke aloud.
"That was my song, right? 'Forever After All'... Right?"
This was met with a few nods.
"Okay, Kami, lift the bass a little higher. Kiri, shift your bottom hand down a little. Mina, strum harder. And Bakugo, be a tad softer on the snare," I instructed, watching them adjust.
"Now, again."
I listened to it again and, at the end, I smiled.
"That's better."
"But still not great?" Kirishima asked, which I nodded in agreement with.
"Now, this isn't on you, Bakugo, but—"
"Stop calling me that," he interrupted.
I looked at him with a raised eyebrow.
"To you, it's Kacchan, nerd, and you know it," he glared at me.
"Now, this isn't on you, Kacchan, but—" I repeated, eyeing the blonde, "—it's the speed."
I moved around my board and started flicking buttons. Eventually, I grabbed one of my mics and stood.
"This time, match my pace, okay?" I grinned.
I nodded to them to start, listening to the melody before adding my voice to the mix.
A cold beer's got twelve ounces A good truck's got maybe three hundred thousand You only get so much until it's gone Duracells in a Maglite A needle drop on a forty-five Are the kinda things that only last so long When the new wears off and they get to getting old Sooner or later, time's gonna take its toll
I listened to the band as I sung, listened to them match me. Perfectly.
They say nothing lasts forever But they ain't seen us together Or the way the moonlight dances in your eyes Just a t-shirt in the kitchen With no make-up and a million Other things that I could look at my whole life A love like that makes a man have second thoughts Maybe some things last forever after all
I stopped singing and waved for them to stop playing.
"OMG, DID YOU HEAR US!!!" Mina squealed, jumping up and down.
"Hell yeah, WE ARE AWESOME," Kami grinned.
Even Kacchan cracked a grin.
I turned to look at the door as Aizawa walked through, slowly clapping.
"It's been," he checked his watch, "half an hour, and you guys sound like you've always played together," he nodded.
Aizawa looked at me smugly, about to speak, but I held my hand out to stop him.
"We both know you never would have let me say no," I huffed.
Aizawa looked at me, his gaze showing a little bit of pride.
"Oh no," laughed a voice from the door, "how the mighty have fallen."
I rolled my eyes and glared at the roof.
"How can I help you, Monoma?" I said in a clearly irritated voice.
The idiot strolled over and put his arm around my shoulders.
"Look at you, playing in the kiddie league," Monoma mocked as he gestured at my new bandmates.
"Get off me," I hissed, pushing him off and pinning him with a glare.
"How will your manager feel with you here?" Aizawa snapped at Monoma, waving his phone around.
"Okay, OK, I'll go," he paused at the door. "Hey Deku, when you want to rejoin the big kids, just drop the dead weight. You might be a match for me then." He laughed and started to leave.
"Hey, Copy Cat," I smirked as I addressed the other idol.
He looked back at me.
"Don't drag my name down. We both know I'm better than you," I glared at him.
"And don't call my band dead weight again, or I might just remind you how much better I am," I grinned evilly.
Monoma turned and left, the smile he walked in with now gone.
"Badass," Kaminari laughed.
"Guess it's official then," Mina grinned.
"Let's win this fuckin' competition," I smiled.
"Don't do that," Kirishima said suddenly.
I looked at him, confused. "Don't say we are going to win?"
"No, nerd. We are obviously going to win. He means don't swear," Kacchan snapped.
Aizawa laughed. "He's definitely not the Izuku you guys remember."
"I know," I looked at Bakugo, surprised, catching the look he tried to hide.
"I know," the blonde muttered under his breath once more.
