Midori the Villain

The Right Kind of Attention

The gold circle beamed at her and Izumi clutched the medal proudly between her bandaged fingers. She'd done what she set out to do. She conquered her competition and rose to the top of her class. Reporters and photographers bugged her constantly after the ceremony wanting one on one interviews which she politely declined and claimed she needed to return to class. Really all she wanted was five blissful moments of silence to absorb the victory.

"Izumi-Chan!"

So much for solitude, she thought turning away from the window and smiling at Mirio. Before she could say a word to him she was embraced tightly in a hug.

"Congratulations! I'm so happy for you!"

"Thanks, Senpai..." she wheezed and winced at her injured left arm. "Mind the wound, please."

"Oh right, sorry." He laughed and held out a hand in apology. "Everyone in the third year stadium could hear the ruckus from yours. You guys really put on quite a show I can't wait to watch my recording of it."

"Same here, how did you fair Senpai?"

"Ah unfortunately my team got eliminated in the second round." He waved it off. "I got a little carried away and my team couldn't keep up."

"The price of working with amateurs." She murmured but grinned at him. "That's a pity as I'm sure no one would have been able to stand a chance against you in one on ones. You're already interning aren't you?"

"Yep but it would have been nice to win since its my final year here." He did with some reminiscence.

"Just be sure not to lose out in the field." She bumped her good fist against his shoulder. "You won't have any competition in that area."

"I dunno," He rubbed the back of his head laughing. "At the rate you're going you may outclass me by the time you graduate."

Maybe, Izumi thought with a wry smile, if I wasn't so damaged.

"You should be more confident in your abilities. You and I both know All Might's secret." She lay a hand over his chest. "Without him, the foundation will fall and the world will change with our generation."

"If that's the case." He took her hand cupping it between his. "Let's make a world we can be proud of." He gently rubbed over the bandage his smile never failing. "If we work together, there's nothing we can't accomplish."

"You're forever the optimist aren't you, Senpai?" She turned her hands out to squeeze his but then stepped away from him. "I should go, I have a train to catch and press to avoid." She turned her back, and Mirio only hesitated a moment before calling out to her again.

"Izumi-chan."

"Hmmm?" She glanced over her shoulder at him. "Yes, Senpai?"

"I know we still don't know each other very well... but I hope with time you'll tell me what's hurting." He lay a hand over his chest. "I'm not just your Senpai, I'm your friend, and you can confide in me."

"I appreciate and return the sentiment, Senpai." Unable to contain the snug smile that wanted to spread she looked away from him and out the window at the setting sun. Without even trying to she'd gained the trust and friendship of All Might's protege. Damn she was good. "I'm more than willing to listen."

~Meanwhile~

"Well I've had enough..." Dabi rose from his seat. "Since the princess is taking her sweet time, I'm taking my leave. I can only stand the stench of creeps for so long."

"Please have a little more patience," Kurogiri insisted. "All will come to fruition once she arrives."

"Let him go..." Shigaraki waved his hand from his lounging spot on the couch. "If the zombie doesn't want to wait for Karma then I say let's get rid of his whining and complaining."