Midori the Villain

10 Months of Hell

Izumi knew she'd stepped into a situation that there was no getting out of. After only a few weeks of training it became clear to her that the people who'd given her a gift were not law abiding citizens... but were more than likely a group of villains. What she was afraid to ask was just what purpose did they intend for her? Were they trying to recruit her as a villain? Perhaps giving her what she needed to get into UA was their way of blackmailing her into doing what they wanted.

Whatever the case may be, she was stuck. They knew where she lived, who her mother was and what she looked like. They knew where she went to school, who her one and only friend was. Thinking back on it she'd been a damn fool giving them all that information. Now if she didn't follow through with their plans they were either going to kill her outright, or maybe threaten to kill her mother or even Kacchan to get what they wanted.

She wasn't going to let them hurt her family or loved ones. If push came to shove she would rather go to jail than to risk getting anyone killed.

Inko eyed her daughter from across the dinner table. Izumi was prone to muttering to herself even during dinner... but for the past several weeks she began to worry. Her little was coming home everyday with fresh bruises. When questioned Izumi evaded when normally her sweet girl would be so honest and upfront.

"Izumi, sweetie, is everything alright?"

"Huh?" snapping out of her mental thoughts Izumi looked up. "What was that?"

"Izumi I'm worried about you." Inko set down her bowl of rice and folded her hands in her lap. "You're staying out everyday, coming home with bruises and scrapes as if you're getting into fist fights. You're studying still and I'm grateful your grades aren't suffering but it's still worrisome."

"I'm fine, mama." Izumi set her own bowl down and reached across the table to grab her hand. "I'm just training. I need to be at my best if I'm gonna participate in the UA entrance exam. A friend of mine is helping me."

"Training? Izumi you're quirkless, do you really think it's a good idea for you to take such a dangerous test?" Inko turned their hands over so she could grip them tight. "If this test is going to cause you harm then I wish you'd forget the whole thing and go to a regular high school. You've got plenty of options with how smart you are and-"

"Please don't say that mama." Izumi pulled her hands away her eyes going teary and fretful. "Please don't tell me to give up. That's not what a mother should say. Why can't you be supportive of me?"

"Izumi..." Inko's own eyes went teary. "I want to support you with all my heart, but you're all I've got left in this world. Why can't you understand that?"

"Why can't you have some faith!?" Izumi snapped back and stood up from the table. "I'm going to bed."

"Izumi!" Inko called after her but Izumi slammed the door to her room. Inko sighed heavily and looked at the half eaten dinner on the table. She bit her lip and bowed her head sniffling.

~Following day at All for One's hideout~

"You seem to be in a bitter mood." All for One commented as he moved his knight into Check position. He failed to notice Izumi's bishop in prime location and she took his knight with a temperamental flick of fingers. "Excellent move."

"I'm not bitter... just frustrated." Izumi admitted, her eyes cool and distant. After All For One readjusted his attack pattern she let her gaze shift quickly over the set up, predicting the few moves he could pull to better his position. Deciding the best route was to eliminate his most powerful piece she sacrificed her own knight to take his queen. "Check."

"What frustration? You're actually winning this time." He complimented and took the knight with his rook.

"My mother doesn't approve of my training." She sighed heavily, her eyes scanning the board again. "I understand that she's worried, because she still thinks I'm quirkless. Still I wish, just for once, she'd encourage me rather than hold me back. Not once did I ever receive encouragement towards reaching my dreams."