The Cursed Hero

Chapter 21

" Speaking out loud "
' Thinking '
Highlighted Information
Written information
Titles and Techniques

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Feelings
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Shinji was behind the counter, talking to a very agitated Cathleen:

"Stop running down the place and calm down for a second. Explain to me again, how did that happen?"
"Ummmm... Do you remember the day I told you I had an argument with Izuku?"
"Yes, the day they called you at the association... Two weeks ago?"
"Three. The next day after we had our argument, Midoriya vanished from the map. There had been an explosion of some kind next to his house, and the next day, he and his mother were gone."
"Yes, yes, I know all that."
"So I thought he was dead... Or that Tsukuyomi had captured him until I received this."

She took off her cellphone and showed a message stating a date and a place for a meeting, coming from Midoriya's cellphone.

"You think it is an imposter?"

She didn't have to answer, swiping until she found the audio file she wanted him to hear. They heard Midoriya's unmistakable voice:

Cath, why didn't you show up? We need to talk about what happened in the association. I need a few answers so stop ignoring my messages and my calls.

She turned and started pacing again.

"It doesn't sound that bad-"
"ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!"
"What?"
"That damn wolf- I wasn't careful enough and must have seen it- Heard it- Read it- It doesn't matter. What matters is that he knows! I bet he found out on the same night I shared everything with them."
"Wait, are you telling me that you didn't expect him to read your thoughts while you were explaining about his past? Oh boy... I never took you to be this naïve. And you can't really blame him from being angry with you."
"I thought I would be able to hide it... And of course he wasn't happy- Are you smiling?! You lied to him as well, so we're in the same boat." She glared at the man.

"That secret wasn't mine to tell, Cath."
"Well, it doesn't matter who it belonged to, what it matters is that he knows and that he wants to meet."
"Are you scared?"
"Of course I am! Even though we know him for some time, his mood swings are unpredictable. Tomorrow he may wake up believing I'm a threat and decide to kill me. Oh, and he's even more unpredictable right now because of that damn thing inside of him. He could be very well thinking about killing me right now."

Shinji was about to answer when someone answered for him:

"I would be lying if I say it didn't cross my mind. Ha... I'm joking, I'm joking. C'mon, give me a little credit, I wouldn't go that far."

They turned and saw Midoriya right next to them. They both looked at the door, wondering why the bell installed above it didn't make a sound announcing the newcomer. Shinji spotted the answer on the outside, the broom he kept right next to the door, lying down on the street.

"Izuku, look-"
"I know Cath. Don't worry, I'm not here to hurt you. I would never hurt you."
"I meant it when I said I was sorry. I just-"
"Lied to me?"

"..."

"It's water under the bridge."
"What you mean? You're not here to talk about that night?"
"Look, although I understand why you did what you did, I've stopped allowing people to hide these kinds of things from me. For god's sake, why would you even do that? This information will actually help me."
"Izuku, you have to understand-"
"I said I do understand why you did it, not the reason you kept this from me. You did it because you're a control freak, but in your case, the control comes in the form of gathering information, am I right? I know the feeling of having the information about something prior to anyone, I know it's a wonderful feeling... You feel protected and powerful, you feel one step ahead of everyone, but I still can't forgive you, even understanding your motives."
"I know, I just wish we could go back to how things were before. I meant no harm-"
"Go back to how things were before? Sorry, but that's not going to happen. Not when one of the people I trusted the most, enough to share even my own thoughts, were hiding things from me- And no, I'm not talking about your own secrets, I'm not mad because you didn't tell me everything about yourself... Everyone has secrets. I'm mad because you stole my memories and hid information regarding my powers."