Izuku was dragged by his grandmother into yet another clothing store. This shop specialized in cosplay outfits—every profession imaginable was represented.
"This time, Grandma won't force you to buy anything," she said, blocking the entrance with her body. "But you have to choose three outfits yourself. Then we'll go across the street to take photos!"
Her posture made it very clear: until he picked his clothes, he was not leaving.
"…Alright," Izuku sighed, giving in.
He began browsing. Skipping over modern professional outfits, his gaze drifted toward the historical section. He stopped in front of a missionary's robe and took it down.
This one should work… and then…
Next, he selected a military uniform. Finally, he chose a suit set meant for non-formal occasions.
"Just these three?" his grandmother asked. "Don't you want to buy more?"
"You tell me," Izuku replied flatly, his expression practically spelling out I am very unhappy.
"Alright, alright. Then let's go across the street for photos. I've already made a reservation." His grandmother smiled with the unmistakable look of someone whose plan had succeeded.
"Yes, ma'am," Izuku said obediently, carrying the clothes as he followed her into the photography studio across the street.
Toru Hagakure:Midoriya is following his grandma into the photo studio across the street. I'm going to sneak in too and take pictures—no, I'll just livestream the whole thing. I can't resist exposing Midoriya anymore. Opening the stream now!!
Tenya Iida:Good luck. I support you!
Bakugo Katsuki:What's the livestream room number?
The moment they entered the studio, Izuku was surrounded by several makeup artists. With no room to resist, he resigned himself to sitting in the chair and letting them work on him. This entire process was faithfully streamed by Hagakure.
"Wait—what's that?" Izuku suddenly grabbed one makeup artist's wrist. In her hand was a red-colored contact lens.
"Decorative contact lenses," she replied. "The lady requested them."
"Grandma—" Izuku looked at her helplessly.
"Oh come on," she said, pressing her palms together in a pleading gesture. "I've already taken so many photos of my little angel Izuku. Just let Grandma take one set of Dark Izuku photos, okay?"
"…Fine," Izuku muttered, puffing out his cheeks as he allowed the makeup artists to continue. The contacts were placed into his eyes.
After the makeup was finished, Izuku looked like a completely different person.
Expressionless, he changed into the military uniform, pulled on combat boots, and placed a military cap on his head. With a stern face, he walked into the photography area, where a full professional camera crew was already waiting.
"Alright. Lower your head. Hands together in front—yes, just like that. Lights, lights!"
The photographer adjusted the angle.
Click. Click. Click.
Several photos were taken.
"Now lift your hat with one hand and pull out a really fierce expression. Makeup artist, darken his eye shadows a bit more!"
Even after the dark circles were deepened, Izuku still couldn't produce a truly vicious smile. The photographer and his grandmother both frowned in frustration.
"How about this…" the photographer suggested.
"Do you have something you really hate? A person or a memory? Think about it, then show that expression."
"Something I really hate?" Izuku rested his chin in his hand and thought seriously. That moment, too, was captured on camera.
Something I hate…
Suddenly, memories surfaced—being mocked as "Quirkless" as a child, the laughter, the looks of pity and scorn. Even now, those feelings were impossible to forget.
Go darker… darker… darker…
The corner of Izuku's mouth slowly curled upward into a sinister smile.
"Heh… I just remembered things from elementary and middle school," Izuku said softly. "Back then, I really wanted to kill them all."
The smile on his face grew increasingly twisted.
The photographer froze in shock.
"What are you standing there for?! Shoot already!!!"
Click! Click! Click!
"Change outfits—put on the suit! Keep that expression! Hurry!"
Izuku changed into the suit, but the expression vanished. Even the gentle smile he usually wore disappeared completely.
"Didn't I tell you to keep that expression?" the photographer snapped—then stopped short.
Izuku's eyes met his.
They were empty. Utterly lifeless.
"This… this hollow feeling," the photographer breathed, "this will make incredible photos!"
Click click click—a rapid ten-shot burst.
The photographer was thrilled.
But Izuku's grandmother was not.
She had seen that look before—the look Izuku had when he first arrived. Empty. Terrifyingly hollow. Even when he smiled, it carried a sense of death.
Bad memories surged up.
She immediately halted the shoot and pulled Izuku outside to get some air.
"Grandma? What's wrong? Aren't we taking photos anymore?" Izuku asked.
"No. We're done. Let's go outside for a walk."
She held his hand. Her palm, usually warm, was ice-cold.
"…Okay," Izuku replied softly. His voice was still gentle, but the sunlight it once carried was gone.
They walked slowly, stopping here and there, until they finally sat down on a long bench.
"Grandma, you look really worried," Izuku said with a smile. "I'm fine. Really."
That smile, however, only told her how much he was forcing himself.
Suddenly, she reached out with both hands and tugged hard at Izuku's cheeks.
He kept smiling.
Then she slapped him across the face.
Even with his cheek swelling, Izuku was still smiling.
"Why?" she cried, her voice trembling. "Why won't you cry? You cried so easily when you were little…"
His mental state was clearly abnormal. It had to be corrected—otherwise it would harm his body.
"Grandma…" Izuku said gently. "When your tears dry up, you can't cry anymore. I still have to live smiling."
The smile he wore made her heart ache.
"Grandma… are we still taking photos?"
"No," she said firmly. "We're going to eat."
She finally found a way to redirect his attention.
"I saw a steak restaurant on the first floor earlier. Let's have lunch there."
"No problem," Izuku replied with a smile.
Wearing the suit, he went downstairs with his grandmother—he hadn't even removed the colored contacts. The unnatural red in his eyes only added to his strange, captivating presence.
Tenya Iida:Attention everyone! Fully styled Midoriya is about to arrive on the first floor! Anyone who wants photos, head to the open-air steak restaurant now!
Ochaco Uraraka:Today's Midoriya is insanely handsome!!
Kyoka Jiro:I haven't seen him yet—I'm heading down right now.
Tenya Iida:Hurry! They're already on the first floor!
Mina Ashido:Oh my god—Midoriya looks ridiculously good right now! Those red eyes are amazing!!
Bakugo Katsuki and Ochaco Uraraka quietly followed Izuku and his grandmother to the first floor.
"Hello," Izuku said politely, raising his hand to signal the waiter.