Chapter 67 – The Matchmaker
The two youths are typical thugs who think their intimidating size lets them get whatever they want. They’ve probably been in a few brawls too, but at the end of the day, they are just typical university delinquents belonging to who-knows-what gang: all mouth and no trousers.
Apart from one being scrawny and having no particularly noteworthy features, aside from his blonde hair styled like a drill, the other possesses a mutant quirk; his head resembles that of a great white shark, with the stature and build of a bodybuilder.
Feeling Izuku’s hands on their shoulders, they turned around, irritated by the interruption, but that irritation quickly turned into frustration and controlled panic. Controlled, yes, but panic nonetheless.
«Huuuh? And who the bloody hell are you?» the shark-faced one asked, posturing and trying to act big. «Why don’t you jog off?»
«Too right, aniki.» the scrawny one agreed, seeming to regain a bit of his nerve.
Izuku sighed inwardly, yet he still wanted to resolve the situation civilly and politely, so as not to frighten the woman who was clearly bothered by the two thugs’ dreadful approach and unsettled by the Custodian’s intervention.
«Come now, gentlemen.» he said cordially, removing his hands from their shoulders. «We are civilised people, so I believe one ought to accept defeat when a lady turns down your advances. I don’t think—»
*Tlack.*
The sound of a pocket knife being flicked open rang out, and Izuku noticed that the scrawny one had drawn a blade, while the shark-faced thug bared his teeth even more.
«...Are you truly that desperate?» Izuku asked, sceptical.
«You’d better fuck off, unless you want—!!!»
Without knowing what had happened, the two thugs felt a crushing pressure practically weigh them down. Perhaps it was an illusion, but it felt so real that they froze dead in their tracks, instinctively casting their eyes downwards; cold sweat poured down their brows. A bloodlust as potent as it was stifling crushed them, almost as if gravity had suddenly intensified. Their hearts were pounding out of their chests; instinct and muscle screamed at them to flee as far away as possible. Somehow, they managed to look up. They regretted it instantly.
Those green eyes were impassive and judgmental, glowing with genuine murderous intent. Their bodies trembled like never before, and ultimately, the scrawny one passed out cold on the spot, white foam trickling from his mouth. He fainted upright, his body so rigid it had turned into a tree trunk.
«Leave.»
A single word. A single word so icy it froze the air, yet sharp enough to slice through flesh, and still brimming with mercy; it was all it took to make the shark-faced thug snap into motion, grab his unconscious mate, and bolt without looking back once. A decision the fugitive considered the wisest he had ever made, knowing full well the giant’s gaze followed him and that if their eyes met again, he would be a dead man.
«Sanguis Imperatoris, these sorts of people are everywhere.» Izuku sighed.
«Thank you for the help.» the woman said, catching the Custodian’s attention. «They just wouldn’t take no for an answer.»
«No problem at all, Midnight-sensei.»
The woman, Nemuri Kayama, went stiff. Her blue eyes locked onto Izuku’s. She brought a hand to her mouth and giggled softly in amusement before relaxing.
«How did you figure me out?» she asked, taking off her wig and letting her long purple hair cascade down.
«I’m a good observer.» Izuku said with a shrug. «I take it you were conducting an investigation, weren't you?»
«Yes. Well, I’ve already wrapped that up.» she said, putting on a pair of pink-framed glasses. «I was planning to head home, since I have the rest of the day off.»
«Understood.» Izuku noted. «Though I reckon they might try to hit on you again, sensei. Your clothes may be modest, but they certainly accentuate your feminine charm. They suit you very well.»
Nemuri wore a summer outfit: a sleeveless, high-necked light-blue cotton jumpsuit, pulled together at the waist with a light-brown belt. Simple blue stud earrings, a woven shoulder bag, and sandals completed the look.
The summer ensemble gave Nemuri a ‘breath of fresh air’; it made her look more modest, elegant, and approachable, and added a touch of understated charm she usually lacked in her Hero costume.
«...Erm, thank you.» she murmured, caught slightly off guard.
As she thanked him, she turned her gaze away, blushing faintly as she scratched her cheek and gave a bright, sweet smile of satisfaction that drew the attention of several passing men.
«Think nothing of it. Have a lovely—»
«Izuku-niisan!»
Eri wove through the crowd, while Inko tried her best to keep up and not lose sight of her. Eventually, Eri reached Izuku and clung to his leg, making him sigh. He knelt and gave the little girl a stern look.
«Why did you wander away from mom Inko?» Izuku asked sternly.
«Because I wanted to be with you.»
«That’s not something you can just decide on a whim, Eri.» Izuku said, letting out a heavy sigh. «If mom Inko or I had lost sight of you and something had happened, you would have worried us half to death.»
«...I’m sorry.» she apologised, casting her eyes down remorsefully.
Even if Izuku was immune to these emotional attacks brought on by the girl’s utter cuteness, they were super effective on women like his mother or Nemuri.
«You’re forgiven this once.» Izuku said, lightly tapping her forehead. «But don’t you ever do it again.» he finished, before picking her up in his arms.
Despite the gentle tap that had the little girl rubbing her forehead, her initial look of resignation, marked by a slight puffing of her cheeks, melted into a timid smile. Needless to say, Nemuri fell victim to the child’s loveliness, and it certainly wasn't the last hit she would take.
«Who are you, onee-san?» Eri asked upon noticing Nemuri.
Onee-san?!
«Eri.» Izuku called out sternly. «Mind your manners.»
Me?! Onee-san?!!
«Ah, sorry! I’m Eri Midoriya.» the little girl introduced herself timidly. «Who are you, onee-san?»
I’LL BE YOUR ONEE-SAAAAAN!!!
«I’m one of your brother’s teachers. My name is Midnight.»
Even though she introduced herself with composure, deep down Midnight felt an overwhelming urge to scoop Eri up and cuddle her like there was no tomorrow. Her maternal instincts had gone through the roof, and she desperately wanted to spoil the little Eri rotten.
«Ah! Eri!» Inko called out, arriving out of breath. «You mustn't run off... Oh, good morning, Midnight-sensei.»
«Good morning to you, Midoriya-san.»
«So it was because of your sensei that you suddenly wandered off, hm?» Inko said, looking at Izuku with knowing eyes and a sly little smirk.
I don’t like this... Izuku thought, his instincts ringing alarm bells.
«Oh, I’m so sorry if I interrupted your family outing. I really should have handled the situation better.» Nemuri said, feeling slightly guilty.
«Oh, it’s no trouble at all, not at all. Ah!» she exclaimed, cutting herself off. «Now that I think about it, I’m supposed to meet up with Mitsuki and then pick up some ingredients for dinner tonight.»
«...Mom?» Izuku’s tone was laced with confusion; he immediately sensed his mother's lie.
«If you like, why don’t you accompany Izuku to buy some clothes for Eri? Naturally, you’re invited to join us for dinner as well.»
«Midoriya-san, that’s ever so kind of you.» Nemuri said, caught off guard. «But I’ve already caused you enough—»
«Nonsense, I insist!» Inko interrupted again.
«...Well, alright then.» Nemuri conceded, recognising the sheer determination in the mother’s eyes.
«Splendid!» Inko beamed, her face lighting up even further. «Eri, make sure you always listen to what Izuku-niisan and Midnight-sensei tell you, alright?»
By the time Eri nodded, Inko had already vanished into the crowd, leaving Izuku with a complex expression and a bewildered Nemuri who, nevertheless, didn't take long to figure out why Izuku’s mother had acted that way.
«Well, your mother is certainly... lively?»
«An interesting description, sensei.» Izuku sighed and offered a slight bow. «I do apologise if my mother caused you any trouble.»
«Don’t worry about it. In fact, let's say she solved my problem of what I could do this afternoon.» Nemuri giggled softly.
«I see.» Izuku said, offering her his arm. «I’ll leave myself in your capable hands, Midnight-sensei.» he added with a faint, amused smile.
«And I in yours. Eri-chan... and Midoriya-san.» she replied, taking his arm with her face slightly flushed.