The Emperor's Dragon II

Breakfast Meeting

After Twice went back to bed, Kurogiri appeared. He gave Izuku a once over before he nodded. "You'll do," he said and opened a warp gate.

"I'll do?" Izuku asked. Kurogiri had never said anything like that before.

"You are dressed appropriately," the warp gate told him. "Though, grab your jacket."

Izuku looked down at his clothes. He had a plain black t-shirt on, with black pants and a pair of shoes. While he usually wouldn't wear shoes in doors, given that he lived above a bar, which was a public space, it just made sense to wear them. Izuku hadn't even thought about it when he got up this morning.

His jacket was on a peg near the back door. Izuku grabbed it and put it on. He supposed adding the jacket made him look a little more formal. "Where am I going?" he asked as he approached Kurogiri.

"To breakfast," the misty man replied.

That kind of made sense. Dad had last night to catch up with Kurogiri and Gigantomachia. Izuku had wanted to see him, but he'd quickly realised he was better spending the time with the others. They needed him then, to reassure them that now that his dad was free, he wasn't going to abandon them. No one would have said it exactly like that. It was more subtle, but the thought would have been there.

When Izuku emerged from the warp gate he looked around. He was standing in an alleyway but could see a busy street at the end of it. Kurogiri formed behind him. "There is a cafe named Koukyu around the corner. It's in the Notlih hotel. Sensei will meet you there."

Izuku gave Kurogiri a look. The Notlih hotel was one of those establishments that if you looked at them wrong, they'd throw you out. You had to be worth your weight in gold to even get in the front door. It was not the type of place he'd been to. Kurogiri made a shooing motion before disappearing.

That left Izuku in the alleyway. He sighed. If dad said to meet him there, then dad would be there. Carefully, Izuku picked his way out of the alleyway. He was now aware of how fragrant it was and... he really didn't need to get any of that on him. Thankfully, Caeli Imperium, and the platforms he could make with it ensured he remained clean, but it was kind of amusing to know that such an upper-class facility was surrounded by an alley that illustrated the lower end of society.

Once out of the alley he shifted his jacket slightly and made sure he was somewhat presentable before he made his way to Notlih. It was very easy to find the hotel, and once in the front door - his attire earning him a bit of a look from the doorwoman who apparently decided he passed muster - there were some helpful signs that directed him to Koukyu. Then he had a new issue. What name would dad have used for the booking?

It wouldn't be Hisashi Riji. He'd gotten rid of that name... Ah, wait, his registered name was Fukahi Desuwa. There was an immaculately groomed staff member at the entrance. Izuku felt the man look him over, weighing up every piece of his clothing and calculating the worth. It was a bit disconcerting but also refreshing. Here, money bought you respect. Fame probably also helped. Not your quirk. Just good old-fashioned money.

It still wasn't right, but they at least didn't pretend they took into account anything else. "Young sir?" the man asked coldly. His tone made it clear that if he didn't like Izuku's answer then he'd find himself on the street post haste.

Izuku gave him a smile. "I believe there is a booking for Fukahi Desuwa?" he said confidently.

"Ah, yes. right this way, young sir," the man said, suddenly sounding a whole lot warmer. The man opened the red velvet divider and ushered Izuku into Koukyu. It was then Izuku realised that something was wrong.

The place was quiet. Way too quiet but that was quickly explained.

Koukyu was empty. 100%, absolutely empty. The tables were set with each setting placed precisely. The chairs were the perfect distance from the tables and there were fresh cut flowers at various intervals and the entire cafe was empty.