Chapter 6 Blood, Bonds, and New Beginnings
Author's Note:
Hey everyone! So… turns out I accidentally had Izuku listed as 10 years old earlier, and I just realized it while reviewing my work. My bad! I meant for him to have the frame of a scrawny 10-year-old, not actually be 10. He's 13 years oldnow, as he should've been from the start—same age as he was at the beginning of the story. I've already gone back and updated Chapter 1 to fix this. Hopefully, this clears things up and nobody's too confused moving forward!
Thanks for sticking with me while I iron out these details. It happens when you're deep in the chaos, right?
Now that's out of the way—let's dive into the story! Can't wait to see how you guys react to the madness that's coming up next. Let's go!
Izuku sighed heavily as he sat at the table in Mei's cluttered shack. Toga, now wrapped in the Shadow Cloak, perched on a stool while Mei buzzed around like an overcharged battery. The pink-haired menace was grinning ear to ear, clearly up to something devious, and Toga, curious as ever, was leaning in.
"Wait, wait, wait," Mei said, spinning around dramatically, pointing directly at Toga. "You said you don't like your quirk,right?"
Toga flinched slightly, clutching the cloak tighter. "...Yeah. It's ruined my life. Why?"
Mei's smile grew to Cheshire Cat levels of smugness. "Well, we could always replace it." She finished with a wink, hands on her hips as if she'd just suggested the most obvious solution in the world.
Toga's eyes went wide. "Replace it? Wait, you guys figured out how to—what? Erase quirks?!"
Izuku immediately waved his hands in front of him, panicked. "No, no, no! That's not what she meant!" He shot a sharp glare at Mei. "Stop saying things like that, Mei!"
"What?" Mei said innocently, tilting her head. "It's not erasing, it's like… upgrading! A trade-in for something better."
"Better?" Toga asked, now narrowing her feline-like eyes. "You're serious?"
Izuku groaned and buried his face in his hands. "Oh, great. Look what you've started."
Mei plopped down in a chair, crossing her arms smugly. "Hey, he's just being kind because of you, but technically—he erased my quirk."
Toga blinked, stunned. "Wait… what? You had a quirk?"
"Yup!" Mei said proudly, leaning back with a sly grin. "But who needs a lame quirk when I've got artifice now?" She pointed dramatically at herself. "Mama got something nice in return, if you know what I mean."
Toga's lips quirked into a mischievous smile as she turned her attention to Izuku, who looked like he wanted to melt into the floor. "Oh, I see. You two slept together."
Izuku's face went crimson. "W-WHAT? No! That's not—"
"Well, technically, we do sleep together," Mei said nonchalantly, shooting Izuku a smug look. "I mean, since we got the Night Owl Skill, we only really need proper sleep, like, once a week now. It's efficient."
Toga snickered, her golden eyes glittering with amusement. "Oh, so you two do sleep together."
"That's not the kind of sleeping she means!" Izuku stammered, looking like his soul was trying to escape through his face. "It's—It's literally sleeping! Nothing else!"
Mei blinked at him, completely unfazed. "Wait. Then what did she mean? I thought she meant baby-making sleeping."
Izuku's face turned an even deeper shade of red. "Mei! STOP SAYING THINGS LIKE THAT!"
"What?" Mei shrugged. "It's a totally legitimate definition!"
"That's not—!" Izuku was flustered beyond belief, his hands waving wildly in front of him as if to stop the madness. "I meant we just cuddle! CUDDLE! That's it!"
"Uh-huh," Mei replied with a smug grin, clearly not buying it. "Tell that to your grabby hands. You keep sneaking those hands everywhere, mister."
Toga burst into laughter, doubling over as she hugged her sides. "Oh my god, you two are the worst! I can't even!" Her voice rang through the shack as Izuku groaned loudly in frustration.
"This isn't helping," Izuku muttered, hands in his hair. "This is not helping at all."
"Worth it," Toga said, wiping tears from her eyes as she tried to catch her breath. "You two are like a comedy duo."
Mei grinned proudly. "I'll take that as a compliment."
After the laughter subsided, Toga's expression became serious again. She glanced between Izuku and Mei, curiosity sparking in her eyes. "But… seriously. You said you could replace my quirk? How? What are you even talking about?"
Izuku sighed, regaining his composure. "It's complicated. You don't just 'replace' quirks. Mei's not explaining it properly."
Mei waved him off, clearly dismissing his protest. "I'm explaining it perfectly. I used to have a quirk, but now I don't need it. Izuku gave me access to something better."
Toga leaned forward, her golden eyes intense. "And what's better than a quirk?"
"Well," Mei began, holding up her hands like she was presenting a prize, "it's called a class. I got the Artificerclass. I can create things that are way cooler than anything my old quirk could do. Guns, gadgets, explosives—you name it."
Toga's brows furrowed, clearly interested but hesitant. "So… I'd get something else? And my quirk would just… be gone?"
Izuku stepped in, his voice calmer and more serious. "Listen, Toga. You don't need to do that. A quirk is part of who you are—it's part of you. I don't think just throwing it away is the right choice."
Toga frowned, her expression flickering with emotion. "But… what if I don't want it? What if I don't want to be this… freak? This monster?"
Izuku crouched down to meet her eyes. "You're not a monster," he said softly. "Your quirk doesn't define you. It's how you use it that matters. You're not broken, Toga. You just need to find a way to manage it."
Mei chimed in from behind, tossing a red potion in the air and catching it. "Yeah, yeah, Mr. Sentimental here has a point, but also… options. If you want, we can show you what else you could do. I mean, you might be able to keep your quirk and get something new."
Toga looked between them, uncertainty and hope warring in her expression. "And… you'd help me figure it out?"
Izuku smiled warmly. "Of course. We'll help you."
Mei grinned. "And you'll be our guinea pig. I mean, valued partner."
Toga snorted, shaking her head. "You two really are a pair."
Izuku sighed, shooting Mei another look. "Come on. Let's talk about this outside."
He grabbed Mei by the arm, gently pulling her toward the door. "We need to make sure this doesn't overwhelm her. This isn't a joke."
"Fine, fine," Mei muttered, rolling her eyes. "But I'm telling you, Daddy, she'll love the upgrades. I'm a genius, after all."
Izuku groaned, shaking his head as he dragged the pink-haired menace out of the shack, leaving Toga sitting there—her heart pounding as she considered their words.
Replace my quirk? Is that really something I could do? Would it make me… normal?
For the first time in a long time, she felt like there might be a sliver of hope—and she didn't know whether to embrace it or run from it.
….
The tension in the air was thick as Izuku and Mei stood outside the shack, the cool breeze brushing against them. Izuku's brows furrowed, his arms crossed as he glared slightly at Mei. "You can't just say that to her! She's only just started to understand her quirk, Mei. Do you even realize how important that is for her? She's been living her whole life hating herself because of it, and you're already offering to get rid of it like it's nothing?"
Mei raised her eyebrows, unbothered as usual, but there was something sharper in her tone this time. "Okay, I see your point, but hear me out." She placed her hands on her hips, her serious side peeking through—something rare for her. "I hated my quirk. It was completely useless to me. I couldn't invent cool stuff with it, and it never gave me anything except ridicule. If I had the chance to trade it in earlier, I would've done it in a heartbeat."
"That's you, Mei," Izuku countered, his voice softer but still firm. "What if she's not the same? What if getting rid of her quirk makes her lose a part of herself? You don't know how hard that decision might be for her."
Mei paused, studying him with a rare intensity. "You're right. I don't. But what if she doesn't want to live with it? What if she's better off letting go? You're trying to help her, and I love you for that—"
The words fell out of Mei's mouth before she could stop them, and her face immediately turned beet red. Izuku blinked, stunned, his face matching hers as they stared at each other.
"W-Wait," Mei stammered, waving her hands frantically. "I didn't mean—! I mean I like you for that! Like! Not love! You know, admiration or whatever!"
Izuku couldn't respond; his brain had short-circuited. "U-Uh… y-yeah… right…"
The awkward silence stretched between them, both of their faces glowing crimson. Neither could look the other in the eye.
"Let's… let's just go back inside," Izuku muttered, rubbing the back of his neck.
"Good idea," Mei squeaked, spinning on her heels so quickly she nearly tripped.
The two re-entered the shack, both red-faced and standing as far away from each other as possible. Toga, now seated on a stool, glanced between the two of them with a confused expression.
"What's going on?" she asked, tilting her head.
"Nothing!" they both blurted out in unison, their voices high-pitched and defensive.
Toga let out a deep sigh, clearly not buying it, but didn't press further. "Fine, whatever. I've been thinking, though…I want to look at my options first."
Both Izuku and Mei turned to her.
"Oh, really?" Izuku asked, genuinely surprised.
"Yeah," Toga said, standing up as a system notification appeared in front of her. She squinted at the glowing screen. "What's… this?"
Izuku leaned over slightly. "It's the system. It's like a party invite. If you accept it, it'll let you access new abilities or classes. You don't have to get rid of your quirk—you can just… expand it, I guess."
Toga blinked, clearly intrigued. After a moment, she reached out and pressed the glowing "accept" button. A notification flashed.
"Blood Sucker has joined your party."
"Blood Sucker?" she muttered with a pout. "What kind of name is that?"
Mei giggled in the corner. "Hey, it suits you, Blondie."
Toga shot her a glare before going through the new options in front of her. A list of classes that suited her taste appeared:
Yuki-Onna
Vampire
WereAnimal
Jubokko
Demon
Succubus
Oni
Toga's eyes narrowed as she scrolled through the options. "Huh… vampire…" She hovered over it, hesitating. "Is it possible to just try this out for now?"
Another notification popped up.
"Trial Class Activated: Vampire (24 Hours). You will not gain experience points but can temporarily test this class."
"Alright, let's try it," Toga muttered, selecting the Vampireclass.
Suddenly, her body glowed faintly, and her form seemed to sharpen, exuding a strange new energy. Her golden eyes shifted to a deep crimson, glowing faintly. She gasped as she stood, stretching her limbs.
"Whoa…" she breathed, her voice trembling with excitement. "I feel… stronger. Way stronger."
Izuku stared at her cautiously. "Are you okay?"
Toga grinned, flashing a pair of sharp fangs. "Never better."
She pulled up her skills, rattling off what she saw. "Looks like I've got Blood Manipulation—I can make weapons out of my blood and shoot it like projectiles. Also, there's Vampiric Body: I can heal my HP and MP by drinking blood, but sunlight drains my MP."
Mei snorted. "A vampire who can't go out in the sun? Classic."
"Don't worry," Toga replied, grinning mischievously. "I'll manage just fine."
Without warning, she wrapped her arms around Izuku, pulling him close. "Speaking of blood…"
"Wait—what are you—" Izuku began, but before he could finish, Toga's fangs sunk into his neck.
His face turned scarlet, his breath hitching at the sensation. It didn't hurt as much as he expected. Instead, there was a strange numbness, almost like a soft buzz spreading through his body. Before he knew it, his legs gave out, and he collapsed backward onto the beanbag chair with her.
Toga pulled away slowly, her cheeks flushed as she licked her lips. "Mmm… not bad."
Izuku's eyes darted around in panic as he tried to sit up. "W-WHAT JUST HAPPENED?!"
Mei, who had been watching the whole time with wide eyes, stood frozen. Then, finally, she whistled. "Wow… that's kinda hot."
Izuku's eyes shot daggers at her. "HELP ME!"
Mei shrugged, strolling over casually. "Fine, fine." Instead of helping, though, she plopped down on Izuku's other side, leaned over, and jokingly bit his neck.
"Mei!" he sputtered, flailing. "What are you doing?!"
"What?" Mei said innocently. "I'm helping. Equal opportunity and all that."
"This isn't helping!" Izuku wailed, his face practically glowing red.
Toga pouted, fangs peeking over her lips. "Hey, I wasn't done feeding!"
Izuku sat slumped in the beanbag chair, his head spinning as he tried to process what had just happened. The sensation of Toga biting into his neck lingered—strangely pleasant, like a mix of warmth and numbness that buzzed under his skin. He rubbed his neck absentmindedly, muttering to himself. "It didn't… really hurt. Honestly, it felt kinda—"
Mei's voice cut him off with an exaggerated gasp. "Wait! Wait, wait, wait." She marched toward him, grabbing Toga's arm just as she was leaning in again. "What do you mean 'it didn't hurt'? So, you're telling me…" She pointed dramatically. "You enjoyed her biting you?"
Izuku blinked, suddenly feeling cornered. "N-No, I didn't say that! I just meant… it wasn't as bad as I thought…"
Toga grinned mischievously, her red eyes glinting. "Oh? So there's no harm if I take a little more blood, right? You liked it, after all…"
"Wait, hold on—" Izuku began, eyes wide.
But before he could finish, Toga had already moved, wrapping her arms around his shoulder and sinking her fangs back into his neck. A quiet hum of satisfaction escaped her lips as she began drinking again, slow and deliberate, her hands gripping the Shadow Cloak she still wore.
Izuku's face turned crimson as his body sagged back into the beanbag, the warmth from her bite spreading through him again. "T-Toga! Th-This is…"
"Relax," Toga murmured, her voice soft against his skin. "It's just a little. You taste… so good…"
"Hey!" Mei growled, standing over them. Her arms were crossed tightly, and her face twisted into an exaggerated pout. "You're hogging him! What's the point of a party if one girl eats all the snacks?"
"I'm not a snack!" Izuku shouted weakly, his voice muffled as he tried to sit up.
Toga ignored him, giggling softly as she pulled away just enough to grin at Mei, a thin trickle of blood staining the corner of her lips. "Jealous?"
Mei scoffed. "Obviously!" She grabbed a red potion from the table and shoved it into Toga's hands. "Here, drink this. It's a substitute, and it works just fine. Quit sucking him dry, Blondie."
Toga narrowed her eyes at the bottle, grumbling as she reluctantly took it. "Fine, but it's not the same…" she muttered, pouting as she twisted the cap off.
Izuku exhaled in relief, slumping back into the chair. "Thanks, Mei. I thought she was going to—"
Before he could finish, Mei suddenly slid onto his lap, straddling him without a second thought. His heart practically stopped.
"Wh-What are you—?"
"Listen," Mei interrupted, leaning closer until her face was mere inches from his. "I'm not going to let Daddy get taken away by some vampire girl. I've been here since Day One, thank you very much. Fair's fair, isn't it?"
Izuku's face was a deep shade of red as he tried to process what was happening. "Mei, what are you talking about?"
Instead of answering, Mei smirked and tilted her head. "I'm making sure you remember who's on top here." Before Izuku could protest, she leaned in and pressed her lips to his, kissing him without hesitation.
His brain short-circuited.
The kiss wasn't soft or timid—Mei's boldness carried through even here. Her hands cupped his face as she pulled him into the kiss, her weight keeping him pinned.
Toga, now seated beside them and sipping on the blood substitute, froze mid-drink. Her eyes widened comically as she watched the scene unfold, her cheeks turning pink. "Wh-What the—?!"
Izuku's hands shot up, grabbing Mei's shoulders as he pulled back, gasping for air. "M-Mei! What are you doing?!"
Mei leaned back with a satisfied grin, her face barely flushed. "What? I call that claiming my spot."
"Claiming?!" Izuku practically shrieked, his face still burning red. "You can't just—!"
Toga's face was a mix of shock and something darker as she narrowed her eyes. "Oh, I see how it is," she muttered, standing up and dusting herself off. "So this is what I'm competing with? Fine. FINE." She leaned over Izuku again, her sharp fangs flashing as she smirked. "I can play this game too."
"No, you can't!" Izuku protested, scooting back as far as the beanbag would allow.
Mei looked unfazed as she flopped down beside him, tossing her arm over his shoulder. "Oh, relax, Daddy. You're surrounded by two geniuses. You should feel lucky."
"I feel like I'm about to die," Izuku muttered miserably, covering his face with his hands. "You two are impossible."
Toga plopped down on his other side, still sipping her potion. "Well, I didn't get to finish my snack, so if you pass out, I call dibs."
Mei grinned mischievously, nudging Izuku's side. "Don't worry, Broccoli Boy. I'll make sure you survive long enough to help me test more of my babies. That's what you're here for, after all."
Izuku groaned into his hands, utterly defeated. "Why me…?"
Toga giggled, her red eyes glowing faintly. "Because you're delicious, that's why."
Mei just laughed, pulling Izuku tighter against her shoulder. "And because you're fun, obviously. Now, who's up for a nap?"
Toga rolled her eyes. "If you mean 'nap' nap, I'm out."
"Good," Izuku muttered, slumping between the two girls. "Because I'm pretty sure I'm already dead inside…"
And there, sandwiched between a mad scientist and a vampire, Izuku wondered just how far his life had spiraled in such a short time.
Toga sat up suddenly, stretching her arms over her head with a lazy grin. "Alright, I've gotta head out," she said, a playful glint in her red eyes. She leaned over Izuku, her face close enough that he could feel her breath. "But next time, I expect a kiss too. Don't leave me out, okay?"
Izuku sputtered, his face turning bright red. "W-What?! Toga, that's not—!"
Before he could finish, she giggled, grabbing the Shadow Cloak and throwing it over her shoulders. "See you later, Broccoli Boy." She waved with a mischievous smirk before disappearing out the door.
Izuku let out a long sigh, his heart still pounding from her parting words. When he turned his head, though, he realized that Mei was still sprawled across him, her head resting on his chest as if she hadn't moved an inch.
The pink-haired inventor blinked up at him with a sly smile. "Well, look at you, already attracting trouble. You sure you're not a secret chick magnet?"
Izuku groaned, rubbing his temple. "Can we not talk about that?"
Mei shrugged but didn't move, still comfortably lying on top of him. The silence between them settled softly for a moment, only broken by the faint hum of machines in the shack. Finally, Izuku broke it.
"Hey… can I ask you something?"
"Hmm?" Mei murmured, looking up at him with curious golden eyes.
"When did you start… you know, liking me?" His face was flushed, but he managed to keep his voice steady.
Mei blinked, clearly caught off guard by the question. "Huh… you're really gonna ask that now?"
"Well… yeah." He glanced down at her. "I mean, you're always teasing me, but you're serious sometimes too. I just… I guess I want to understand."
Mei's expression softened, and she looked away for a moment before speaking. "I think it was not too long after you started helping me with my inventions. You know, when you stayed. Most people don't stick around, Izuku. I mean, yeah, I'm a genius—obviously—but I'm also…" She hesitated, her voice quieter now. "I'm a lonely one."
Izuku's chest tightened at her words. "Mei…"
She sat up slightly, her gaze flickering to his. "For the first time, I didn't feel alone. You actually helped me. You didn't complain about the explosions or call me crazy. You… you were just there. And that meant more to me than I realized."
Izuku stared at her, his heart pounding. "I think I feel the same way," he admitted softly. "I didn't really know what to do with myself before I met you. I mean, even if we were just friends, I'd be happy with that."
Mei's eyes searched his face for a moment before a small smile tugged at her lips. "Well, friends are boring," she said, leaning closer to him. "This is way better."
Before he could respond, she tilted her head and kissed him again, her hands threading through his green hair as she deepened it. Izuku froze for a second, his mind blank, but he soon relaxed into it, one of his hands hesitantly tracing the curve of her waist.
When they broke apart, both of them were breathing heavily, their faces flushed. Mei grinned, pressing her forehead against his. "You're stuck with me, Broccoli Boy. And I'm stuck with you."
Izuku's hand slid lower without thinking, squeezing her behind gently. Mei's eyes widened slightly before her smile turned devilish. "Oh? Bold move. I like it."
Realizing what he'd done, Izuku yanked his hands back quickly, his face burning red. "S-Sorry! I didn't—"
Mei just laughed, grabbing his hand and placing it back where it was. "Don't apologize. You're learning."
Izuku gulped, his face still glowing, but he managed to crack a nervous smile. "Ten minutes, and then… we get back to making babies."
Mei's grin widened. "You know me so well." She leaned in close, whispering softly, "I love you."
Izuku felt his heart leap into his throat. He swallowed hard but managed to respond quietly, "I… I love you too."
She smiled, her cheeks faintly pink for once, and flopped back onto him with a content sigh. "Alright. Let's just stay like this for a bit. Then we'll get back to work. You're gonna help me create something amazing, Daddy."
Izuku groaned playfully. "Stop calling me that."
Mei just giggled, snuggling closer. "Never."
And there, in the middle of a messy shack filled with half-finished inventions and the lingering scent of oil and metal, Izuku realized that, for the first time in a long while, he felt truly at peace.
Toga hummed softly to herself as she strolled down the quiet street, clutching Izuku's jacket close to her chest. The warmth of the fabric lingered from when he had worn it, and her smile grew as she tilted her head to inhale its faint scent. For the first time in a long time, her mind felt calm. The chaos of her thoughts had quieted, replaced by a strange, soft warmth she wasn't used to feeling.
Reaching her house, she dug out her key and pushed the door open, stepping inside. The smell of dinner drifted from the kitchen, and she heard her mother's voice.
"Himiko! Come eat dinner before it gets cold."
"Coming, Mom!" Toga replied cheerfully, slipping her shoes off by the door and walking toward the kitchen.
Her mother was already at the table, a woman with cat-like features: blonde fur-covered ears perked atop her head and a matching tail swishing idly behind her. Her sharp golden eyes—always a little too judgmental—narrowed as Toga entered the room.
Toga didn't notice at first; she was too caught up in her pleasant thoughts. Her mother, however, froze. Her feline nose twitched, her sensitive sense of smell picking up something that made her frown deeply.
The air grew thick.
Her mother stood, eyes locking onto her daughter. "Himiko."
Toga paused mid-step, her smile faltering slightly. "Y-Yeah, Mom?"
"What is that smell?" Her voice was low, tense, as she stepped closer, her nostrils flaring.
Toga blinked. "Smell? I don't smell anything—"
Before she could finish, her mother grabbed her by the wrist with claws that dug into her skin. Toga yelped, her eyes widening in shock. "Ow! Mom, what—?"
Her mother sniffed again, and her face twisted in disgust. "Blood. I smell blood on you!"
Toga froze. "I-It's not—!"
Her mother didn't let her finish. She yanked Toga forward, her grip tight, dragging her toward the center of the kitchen. Toga stumbled, nearly falling over as her mother's voice rose.
"You smell like blood again! You've been doing it again, haven't you? Drinking it like a monster!"
"No, Mom, please!" Toga's voice cracked as panic crept into her chest. "I didn't—I wasn't—I swear!"
"Don't lie to me!" Her mother's voice turned to a snarl, and suddenly, the claws dug in further. Toga screamed in pain as she was thrown to the ground, her knees scraping against the wooden floor.
The next moment, her mother's foot struck her side, sending her sprawling. "Stop being a monster, Himiko! Why can't you be normal?!"
Toga coughed, gasping for air as pain shot through her ribs. "Mom, stop! Please stop!"
But the attacks didn't stop. Her mother's claws slashed at her, scratching her arms and face, each blow carrying venomous rage. She kicked again, the heel of her shoe digging sharply into Toga's side. Toga cried out, rolling over instinctively to shield herself, curling into a ball to protect her body.
"I raised you better than this!" her mother screamed, her voice shaking with fury. "You're disgusting! You're shameful! Why would anyone ever love a freak like you?"
Toga's mind raced, her body trembling as she tried to process what was happening. It wasn't my fault. I didn't do anything wrong. I just wanted to be normal… I just wanted to be happy.
Her mother grabbed a fistful of her hair, yanking her head up so their eyes met. Toga's face was streaked with tears, blood dripping from scratches on her cheeks.
"Who gave you this blood?!" her mother demanded, shaking her. "Tell me! Who would do something so twisted?!"
Toga sobbed, her voice breaking. "I-It was… a friend! H-He gave it to me! He doesn't care! He's not scared of me!"
Her mother slammed her head back to the floor with a sickening thud. "Liar! You're a liar! Nobody would ever careabout a monster like you!"
Toga's vision blurred as pain bloomed across her skull. Her ears rang, her breath shallow as tears fell freely. Her mother finally stopped, breathing heavily as she looked down at the mess on the floor. Her daughter—bruised, bleeding, shaking—was barely able to move.
"Get out," her mother spat, her voice cold now, drained of anger. "Get out of my house. Don't you dare come back here."
Toga's heart sank, her body aching as she tried to lift herself up. She looked up at her mother through teary eyes. "Mom… please…"
"GO!" her mother shouted, slamming her heel into the floor just inches from Toga's hand. "You're no daughter of mine. I don't want to see you again."
A sob escaped Toga's lips as she struggled to her feet. She swayed unsteadily, her body screaming in pain, but she managed to stand. Without another word, she turned and walked to the door, leaving faint drops of blood in her wake.
The night air hit her like a slap to the face as she stepped outside. She closed the door behind her, wincing as the latch clicked shut—sealing her out of the only home she'd ever known. The world felt too big now, too cold, as she wrapped her arms around herself and staggered down the street.
Her body ached with every step. Cuts stung, bruises throbbed, but nothing compared to the pain in her chest. Her mother's words echoed in her head like a haunting refrain.
"Nobody would ever care about a monster like you."
Toga bit her lip, tears streaming silently down her cheeks as she walked aimlessly. She didn't know where she was going, but there was only one place—one person—she could think of.
Izuku.
Her steps quickened, determination replacing the pain. If there was one person in this entire world who didn't see her as a monster, it was him. And she needed him now more than ever.
Izuku and Mei were hunched over a worktable, various tools and scraps of metal scattered everywhere. Mei adjusted her goggles as she fiddled with an invention, a manic grin plastered on her face as sparks shot up. "Almost there, Broccoli Boy! This one's gonna be big—no explosions this time, I promise!"
Izuku chuckled lightly, wiping sweat from his forehead. "I'll believe it when I see it."
Suddenly, the door burst open with a loud bang, slamming against the wall. Both of them froze, heads whipping toward the sound. There, standing in the doorway, was Toga—her blonde hair disheveled, blood trickling down her face and arms, and her uniform torn and stained. Her knees wobbled as she stepped forward, her eyes brimming with tears before she collapsed into Izuku's arms.
"Toga!" Izuku's voice was panicked as he held her, lowering her gently to the floor. "What happened?! Who did this to you?"
Toga clung to him tightly, sobbing into his shoulder. "M-My mom… it was my mom. She… she attacked me." Her voice trembled, broken and fragile. "I… I didn't have anywhere else to go. I didn't know what to do… I need a place to stay. Please, can I stay here?"
Izuku froze, his heart pounding in his chest as he processed her words. His grip on her tightened protectively, his face hardening into an expression Mei had never seen before—dark, cold, and furious.
"What's her address?" His voice was low and steady, his words sending chills through the room.
Toga looked up at him, startled by his tone, but sniffled and gave him the address through broken sobs. Mei, still silent, observed Izuku carefully as he stood up, gently laying Toga down on the beanbag chair.
"I'll be back," he said coldly, turning toward the door.
"Wait." Mei's voice cut through the tension like a knife. She stood up, grabbing something from the workbench. "You can't go out looking like yourself, you idiot."
Izuku turned to look at her, his brows furrowed. "Mei, I—"
She shoved a sleek, metallic mask into his hands. "If you're gonna do something stupid, at least be smart about it. Put this on. It'll change your features so nobody recognizes you."
Izuku blinked, staring at her. "Mei…"
She walked up to him, grabbing the collar of his shirt to pull him into a kiss. "Be careful, Daddy," she muttered against his lips before stepping back. "And come back in one piece."
Izuku nodded, slipping the mask over his face. The moment it made contact, a faint hum sounded, and his features began to shift. His green curls darkened into long, flowing black hair, and faint scars appeared across his cheeks and jawline. His eyes—still his, but sharper, colder—glared back at Mei as he turned toward the door.
"Thank you," he said, his voice low and firm.
Then he was gone.
…..
The feline woman was in her kitchen, the evening silent save for the faint sounds of cutlery clinking. Suddenly, a loud CRASH shattered the peace as her front door was kicked off its hinges.
She spun around, her ears flattened in alarm as her claws extended. "Who—?!"
A figure emerged through the doorway, silhouetted by the pale light outside. Long black hair framed his face, and scars marred his features. The rage in his eyes caught her attention as he stepped forward, his presence heavy and suffocating.
"Who are you?!" she shrieked, scrambling to grab her phone from the counter.
She didn't get the chance. Izuku dashed forward in an instant, his speed blinding. The phone was ripped from her hands and crushed underfoot as he grabbed her by the throat and slammed her against the wall. The impact rattled the room.
"Stop!" she screamed, her claws swiping at him, but Izuku's grip only tightened. His darkened eyes burned with rage.
"Do you feel that?" Izuku said, his voice eerily calm as he delivered a sharp punch to her ribs. She gasped, pain bursting through her side as she writhed in his grip. "This is how your daughter felt. Every time you hit her. Every time you abused her. Every time you called her a monster."
He threw another punch, his fist connecting with her gut, knocking the wind out of her. She crumpled to the floor, clutching her side, but Izuku didn't stop. He loomed over her, his movements methodical as he kicked her sharply in the ribs.
"You call her a monster? Look at yourself!" he shouted, his voice cracking with fury as he delivered blow after blow. Each strike was aimed with precision—her legs, her arms, her sides—enough to hurt, to punish, but not to cripple.
The feline woman screamed in agony, curling into a ball to shield herself, but Izuku grabbed her by the hair, yanking her head up to meet his gaze. "You're the monster here. You're the one who deserves this. Not her."
"Please! Stop!" she sobbed, tears streaming down her face. "I-I didn't mean—"
Izuku sneered, slamming her back to the floor. "Did you stop when she begged you? Did you stop when she cried for you to love her?"
The woman curled into herself, shaking violently, her claws retracting.
Izuku stepped back, his chest rising and falling heavily as he composed himself. "She'll be back in a few days. to pick up her items and live with me. She won't live under your roof anymore. She's done with you."
The woman whimpered, too broken to respond.
Izuku crouched down beside her one last time, his voice a low growl. "And if you tell anyone about this, or ever hurt her again, I'll know. I'll hunt you down. Do you understand me?"
She nodded frantically, her face streaked with tears. "Y-Yes… yes…"
Izuku stood up, the room silent aside from her sobs. He turned and walked out of the ruined doorway, leaving the house behind him as the cool night air hit his face.
The mask hummed faintly as it fused further to his skin, a constant reminder of what he had done. and what he had become.
….
Back at the shack, Mei glanced up as the door opened. Izuku stood there, the black hair and scars still in place, but his face… his face was calm, though his eyes held a weight she couldn't quite place.
"Is it done?" Mei asked quietly.
Izuku nodded. "It's done."
Toga, still curled up in the beanbag chair, looked up with wide, tear-filled eyes. "Izuku…"
Without a word, he crossed the room and knelt beside her, pulling her into a soft hug. She buried her face in his chest, her shoulders shaking as she cried quietly.
"You're safe now," Izuku whispered. "She'll never hurt you again."
Mei watched the scene in silence, her expression softening as she glanced at the mask still stuck to Izuku's face.
"Welcome back, Daddy," she muttered, more to herself than anyone else.
The three of them sat huddled in Mei's cluttered shack, Izuku and Mei discussed their next steps. Toga was curled up on the beanbag chair, a blanket draped over her shoulders as she sipped a cup of tea. Her body was completely healed after drinking the synthetic blood. The only thing that was damaged was her clothing
Mei sat cross-legged on the workbench, her goggles perched on her head as she typed rapidly on a tablet. "Alright, listen up, Daddy and Vampire Girl. Step one: apartment hunting."
Izuku, leaning back in a rickety chair, raised an eyebrow. "Apartment hunting? Isn't that going to be expensive?"
Mei grinned, holding up her tablet to display a variety of studio apartments and condos. "Not if we play this smart. The system has a skill called Persuasion. If we level it up, we can convince our parents to coincidentally sign off on us moving out. And if that doesn't work…" She tapped the screen. "We use the system credits. We've got enough loot and junk from dungeons to sell. We trade the credits for gold and—bam! We're buying property."
Toga looked up from her cup, eyes wide and hopeful. "You really think we can do that?"
Mei shrugged confidently. "Of course! Who needs adults when you've got a system and two geniuses like us?"
Izuku sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Mei, convincing our parents isn't exactly easy. My mom… well, she still worries about me. And what if they start asking questions?"
"That's where the Persuasion skill comes in!" Mei said with a wicked grin. "You sweet-talk them, butter them up, and make them think it's the best idea in the world. 'Oh, look, we'll have our own space, we'll be responsible, we'll focus on our studies.'" She waved her arms theatrically. "And if that doesn't work, we fall back on step two—cash in on credits, get some gold, and buy a place outright. Problem solved."
Toga pulled the blanket tighter around herself, looking between the two of them. "But… would it really work? Could we all… you know, live together? The three of us?"
Izuku turned toward her, his expression soft. "Yeah. If we can pull this off, you won't have to worry about anything. You'll have a safe place. A real home."
Toga blinked back tears, her voice shaky but full of warmth. "I want that. I want to feel… safe. Loved. I don't want to be scared anymore."
Mei's smile softened as she slid off the workbench, walking over to Toga and sitting beside her. "Then we're gonna make it happen. You'll have a place where no one can touch you, where no one can call you a monster. And if they try… well…" She grinned mischievously, nudging Izuku. "We've got Daddy here to punch them into the next dimension."
Izuku rolled his eyes but smiled at her words. "Don't call me that."
Toga let out a small laugh, wiping her eyes with the sleeve of her oversized blanket. "You two are ridiculous."
"Yeah, but we're your ridiculous," Mei said, slinging an arm around her. "So don't worry, okay? Tomorrow, we'll find the perfect place, and it'll be ours."
Izuku nodded firmly. "We'll figure it out. We've gotten through tougher things than this already."
Toga looked between them, her heart swelling with something unfamiliar—hope. She took a shaky breath, her voice soft but resolute. "Okay. Let's do it. I want that. I want… to be happy. To feel normal. And safe."
Mei grinned. "Then buckle up, Vampire Girl, because we're getting you the nicest little studio-slash-condo this side of the city. And once we're in, we'll celebrate with snacks, explosions, and maybe some dungeon crawling."
Toga smiled genuinely, her eyes still teary but brighter than they had been. "Thank you… both of you. I don't know what I'd do without you."
Izuku offered a soft smile as he stood. "You don't have to thank us, Toga. You're not alone anymore."
Mei jumped up, stretching her arms above her head. "Alright, team! Tomorrow's mission: operation Find a Home.Now let's get some sleep because Daddy here needs his beauty rest."
Izuku groaned, throwing his hands up. "Stop calling me that!"
Toga giggled, covering her mouth as Mei snickered. For the first time in a long time, the night didn't feel cold or lonely. It felt like a step toward something better—a step toward a future that belonged to them.
As the night wore on, the three of them eventually settled onto the oversized beanbag chair in Mei's cluttered shack. The chaos of the day—dungeons, plans for apartments, and heavy emotions—left them all drained, but the warmth of each other's presence kept the room feeling calm and comforting. Izuku lay in the middle, stretched awkwardly, as Toga and Mei each claimed a spot on either side of him.
"Alright, lights out," Mei announced, pulling the blanket over them with a grin. "We need at least eight hours if we're gonna pull off tomorrow's big mission. Sleep now, explosions later."
Izuku sighed, his face already a little pink from being wedged between the two girls. "You don't have to sayexplosions every time. It makes me nervous."
Mei snickered. "I say it because I know it makes you nervous, Daddy."
"Stop calling me that."
Toga giggled, her voice softer as she shifted closer, resting her head on his chest. "You're warm, Izuku…" she murmured, her words sleepy but content. There was a pause, and then Toga tilted her head up, her face suddenly close to his. "Hey… can I…?"
Izuku blinked, eyes wide as she moved closer. He could see it—the way she was about to kiss him. "Wait, Toga, I don't think—"
Before he could finish, he tilted his head back, trying to dodge.
Mei watched the awkward exchange from her side, eyes rolling dramatically. "Oh, for the love of science," she muttered. Then, without warning, she grabbed the back of Izuku's head and shoved him forward. Toga's lips landed on his with a soft press.
Izuku froze, his face burning red, while Toga blinked in surprise before pulling back, her face flushed. "W-Wait, what just—?"
Mei grinned mischievously. "There. Problem solved. Happy now, Vampire Girl?"
Toga stared at her, flustered but clearly pleased. "I—uh… yeah. I'm happy."
Izuku, however, was sputtering, his brain trying to catch up with what had just happened. "M-Mei, why did you—?!"
"Oh, calm down," Mei said casually, brushing him off with a lazy wave of her hand. "You're fine. Here, lemme fix this real quick."
Before Izuku could react, Mei leaned over, planting a quick but firm kiss of her own on his lips. She sat back with a smug smile. "There. Now it's even. No one's fighting over it."
Izuku's entire face turned crimson. "W-What is even happening right now?! How did we get to this point?!"
Mei flopped back down with a satisfied grin. "Who knows, Daddy? Who cares? Just go with it."
Toga snuggled closer to him, resting her hand on his chest with a happy sigh. "Yeah, Izuku. Don't overthink it. Just… sleep."
Izuku let out a long, defeated breath as both girls cuddled into him. His heart was still racing, his mind spinning, but as the warmth of the moment surrounded him, he couldn't bring himself to be upset. He didn't understand exactly how he ended up here, but for now… he wasn't about to question it.
"Fine… fine. Let's just sleep," he mumbled, letting his eyes close.
As the room grew quiet, the three of them settled in comfortably, their breathing eventually evening out as sleep claimed them one by one. Izuku felt like he belonged.
Author's Note:
Hey everyone! I know things with Toga felt a little rushed in this chapter, but don't worry—I'm going to slow things down and really develop her relationship with Izuku properly. There's a lot more depth to explore, and I want to make sure it feels earned.
Now, for the fun part—Toga's Class!Here's the list of options with their abilities:
Yuki-Onna (Snow Spirit)
Ice-based abilities: freeze enemies, create barriers, and summon blizzards.
Can drain the heat from enemies to restore HP.
Vampire
Blood-based powers: weapon creation, life-drain attacks, and enhanced strength and agility.
Gains buffs in darkness and heals by consuming blood or magical substitutes.
WereAnimal
Animal transformations: gain abilities and traits of animals like claws, fangs, enhanced senses, and agility.
Temporary full transformations boost speed, strength, and ferocity.
Jubokko
Plant-based powers: drain life force, manipulate roots, and create thorny armor.
Self-healing when near nature or feeding on enemies.
Demon
Fire-based destructive abilities: flames, hellfire strikes, and demonic strength.
Can enhance weapons with cursed fire.
Succubus
Charm-based abilities: drain energy with kisses or contact, charm enemies into fighting for you.
Gains health or energy when others take damage for her.
Oni (Ogre)
Brute strength and resilience: massive melee damage, heavy armor, and devastating strikes.
Temporary berserk mode increases damage and defense.
Dragon
Elemental breath attacks (fire, ice, lightning), scales for defense, and wings for flight.
Can enter a half-dragon transformation for powerful boosts.
Kitsune (Fox Spirit)
Illusions and trickery: confuse enemies, turn invisible, and shapeshift.
Can summon foxfire for ranged attacks.
Bakeneko (Ghost Cat)
Stealth-based abilities: move silently, teleport short distances through shadows, and claw-based attacks.
Curses enemies to weaken them over time.
Phoenix
Fire and healing powers: burn enemies with cleansing flames and regenerate health over time.
Revive upon death
Ghost
Intangible powers: phase through walls, become invulnerable for short periods, and drain life force.
Debuff enemies with fear-based abilities.
Let me know which class you think fits Toga best! I want her abilities to reflect her personality and struggles, so vote and give me your thoughts!
As for the third girl…I'm still taking suggestions. I've seen Ippan Joseirecommended, which could be fun for a more "normal" girl dynamic, but I'm also considering characters like Reiko(love her eerie vibe) and Yui (great for adding a unique quirk into the mix). The "Karate Queen" is still in the running too, so let me know your thoughts!
I love hearing your ideas, so keep 'em coming! Thanks for all the support!