RENEGADE [Izuku Midoriya x OC]

Chapter 6 - Noise

At the end of their impromptu brunch, Izuku gave Noriko a book.

Weighing the paperback in her palm and inspecting the cover, she decided it was one she'd never delved into, never immersed herself in. And that was saying something, considering she could remember every book she'd ever read.

They stood on the sidewalk out front, huddling beneath the awning as freezing rain cut down sideways. "It's one of my favorites," Izuku confessed, raking a hand through the top of his fluffy hair, sheepishly avoiding eye contact. "I was hoping that even if you had read it, it would read differently with my notes. And that maybe next time we see each other, you could loan me one of your favorites to read?"

A soft smile overtook Noriko's features, and she pecked Midoriya on the cheek. "I think that sounds great, Izuwu," she said, "But when are we seeing each other again? I need to know when to have this finished."

His heart thrummed in his chest, elated that she wanted to plan their next meet-up. "Uh, next Sunday? Same time, same place?" He could ask Todoroki about changing his schedule by then so he wouldn't have to use more sick time.

Noriko's face fell for a second, and Midoriya panicked for a second while she considered the kidnapping job. It shouldn't start until the evening, she reasoned, I should be fine before then. "Deal. Nine at Sato's next Sunday." With that, she pulled her hood up over her crimson hair and winked at Izuku, her golden eyes glowing in the shadowy depths. "See you then, Izuwu."

She walked off into the rain, and Midoriya did the same. But Noriko cast a glance over her shoulder, watching Izuku use One for All to leap over buildings and into the distance, and promptly turned down the alley beside Sato's cafe. Sneaking in through the back door, she let herself into his office and pulled Izuku's book from her kangaroo pouch, flipping through the first few pages while she waited.

"Sorry," Rikido grunted as he entered the office a few minutes later, shaking his head, "I had to wait for my shift lead to arrive. That new barista I hired is incapable of handling the rush on their own, and keeps fangirling over the heroes, which means everyone's getting the wrong change." He collapsed into the chair opposite Noriko, and immediately busied himself with unlocking the bottommost drawer of his desk.

She stole a green sticky note from his pile and shoved it into her book, shrugging. "It's fine, I kept myself busy," Noriko answered with a yawn, stretching and pulling her hood back down, shaking off the rain. Let's get this over with.

The desk popped open with a metallic thunk, sliding open with a screech that Noriko could feel in her teeth, and Rikido fished out a file folder three inches thick. It sounded like a brick as it hit the desk. He pulled the top piece of paper out with a sigh. He found a pen, clicked it too many times, and wrote a few things across the top of the paper. Before he could open his mouth, Noriko cleared her throat, gesturing toward the drawer with a jerk of her chin. Rolling his eyes, Rikido reached back in and brought out an ancient tape recorder, placing it in front of her and pressing record and play.

"Alright, my name is Rikido Sato, hero alias Sugarman, codename Syrup. I am checking in with Noriko Ikeda, villain alias Renegade, codename Google," he said, clicking his pen, "What is the current threat level?"

"Green," Noriko answered, her hands folding over Izuku's book.

"And the date?"

"December 1st," she replied evenly, "Day one thousand, four hundred, and ninety three of being undercover in the League of Villains."

-

At home, Midoriya took a surprisingly long nap and tried to keep himself busy for the rest of his sick day.