Stuck Between Realities-Remastered

Part 37~Shopping Mall

Izuku grinned as he sat with Shoto, listening to the conversations floating around the room.

"Everyone, I'm looking forward to hearing your stories about training camp," Mina muttered disheartenedly, walking with her head down.

"Once the bell rings, get in your seat," Aizawa hissed, bursting into the room dramatically.

"Morning," the class drawled as they sat down.

"Unfortunately, there are those who did not pass the final exams. Accordingly, for the training camp in the woods," Aizawa paused dramatically, "everyone's going." He smiled brightly as Izuku and Hitoshi rolled their eyes.

Kamina, Kirishima and Mina all cheered, happily jumping up and down in celebration. "Really? We can go?"

"That was to make you feel concerned. In the first place, the training camp in the woods is one to increase strength. So those who failed need it the most. They have to get stronger. It was a rational falsehood."

"Rational falsehood, my ass. He's just playing with us," Izuku grumbled as Katsuki glanced back.

"You make it sound like he does that a lot."

"He does," Izuku and Hitoshi responded together.

"I wasn't lying about everything. Failure is failure. We have prepared a separate time for extra lessons for you all. Frankly, it'll be tougher than the extra lessons you'd get if you stayed at school."

~~~

"Well, in any case, I'm glad we can all go together," Ojiro announced after Aizawa left the room.

"We'll have to bring a lot with us," Izuku complained, holding open the leaflet.

"You worried you can't afford it," Katsuki chuckled as Izuku sighed.

"Yeah. I'm in too deep in debt for this."

Katsuki chuckled before he paused. "Wait, are you seriously in debt?"

"Since we're off tomorrow, and we just finished our exams, why doesn't class A all go shopping together," Hagakure suggested, chirpily.

Soon, it was decided.

"Shoto, you want to come?" Izuku tilted his head as Shoto smiled.

"I wish I could, but Saturday is the day I see my mum."

"I know. Still thought I should ask." Izuku grinned as Shoto blushed softly.

~~~

Izuku grinned as he walked to the train with Shoto, talking about a new hero in town. Shoto smiled as he listened before he paused. "Are you sure going to the mall is a good idea?"

Izuku titled his head. "Yeah? The whole class is there. It's not like someone's going to attack us in such an open space."

"Actually, I was thinking about your attacks."

"Oh. Right. I haven't had a serious one in ages, not since the hospital. I'm not worried." Izuku chuckled a little as he looked at Shoto. "Hey, if anything goes wrong, Hitoshi has literally spent the last two years getting used to trying me down and putting drugs in my system. And we both have an emergency alarm in case we need super dad and loud dad's help."

Shoto nodded slightly before Izuku rolled his eyes, taking Shoto's hand.

"Seriously, trust me. It'll be fine, Shoto."

"Okay."

"Tell your mum I say hi."

"I should probably tell her I am gay first."

"Oh! Good luck with that." Izuku gave Shoto a light punch in the arm, and Shoto nodded seriously.

"Thank you."

~~~

"And so we're here. With the most stores in the prefecture, the newest and coolest, most advanced Kiyashi ward shopping mall," Mina shouted loudly, waving her hands around her.

"This place is amazing. It feels like forever since I've been allowed to go to a place like this," Izuku grinned as Hitachi frowned.

"Wait, wasn't the last time when we met?"

Izuku grinned. "I'm surprised you remember."

"How could I forget. You almost die."

"I did not. They were petty thugs if that. No way capable of murder." Izuku grinned as Hitoshi rolled his eyes.

Izuku paused, looking around himself as he listened to the crowd whispering amounts themselves. The crowd pointed at students, muttering about the sports festival and everything that had happened.

"Oh, there are still people who remember that," Uraraka muttered quickly, stepping behind Iida.

"I mean, at least it's a positive. You should see some of the press around, my friend. Though reporters were so rude," Izuku grumbled as Hitoshi rolled his eyes.

The students paired off, leaving to get their shopping after agreeing to return at 3.

"You sure you can be alone," Hitachi whispered as Izuku scoffed.

"I'm not that fragile... Well, I've taken my meds, so it's fine." Izuku gave Hitoshi a grin before he turned around and walked off. Izuku's thoughts began to drift as he thought about the training camp and what it would entail.

"Oh, it's someone from U.A, cool," a voice hissed from the side as a young man walked up to Izuku. "Let me have your autograph." The man grinned, wrapping his arm around Izuku as the boy stiffened. "You were the one who got first place, right?"

Izuku glanced up, not responding but trying to get a look at the man's face.

"And weren't you also one of the guys who ran into the hero killer in the Hosu Incident?" Izuku didn't respond, but he shifted, reaching for his hand in his pocket. "That's so cool. Man, I seriously can't believe it. I can't believe I'd see you again in a place like this. It makes me feel like there's something to it, something like fate or destiny." The man rested his hand against Izuku's neck as the black scales began to grow. "But well, from your perspective, I guess we haven't met since the attack on U.A, huh? Why don't we have tea or something, Izuku Midoriya?"

"Tomura Shigaraki," Izuku grumbled as Shigaraki smiled wider.

"I want to talk to you. That's all. Just try and do something funny." Shigarai stroked his fingers against Izuku's neck. "It's simple. The instant all five of my fingers touch your neck, you'll start crumbling from the skin of your throat. You'll turn to dust in less than a minute."

"You won't be able to kill me faster than I can burn you alive. With this many people, you won't have stopped putting out the fire before a hero has arrived."

"I'm sure. But look at these guys. Even though anyone could wield their quirk at any time, how can they smile and gather like that? When it comes down to it, laws and rules assume that individuals have morals. They're convinced that there's no way anyone would do it. Before I'm caught, I could crumble twenty- no thirty people."

Izuku gritted his teeth before he took a deep breath, the scales melting away to nothing. "Fine. What do you want to talk about?"

Shigaraki chuckled a little to himself as he gripped Izuku's shoulder. "Let's sit down and have us a nice little chat."