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In the shop's window is a display made entirely of merchandise for the pro-hero Deku. There are lunchboxes, water bottles, notebooks, and backpacks all in green and bearing his name and logo. There are Deku-branded weights and athletic wear that look something like his hero costume, down to his red shoes. There's a cardboard cutout of Deku standing in the middle of it all, a wide grin on his face, one hand on his hip and the other held aloft, giving those passing by a thumbs-up.
Toshinori rushes into the shop, politely weaving between a crowd of customers. He points to the display and tells the clerk behind the counter, "That's all Deku merchandise!"
The clerk blinks. She says, "Um, yes. I know. I just put up the display this morning."
"This is amazing!" A display! For Young Midoriya! Was he aware of this? Surely he knew about the merchandise, because heroes had to approve all products using their image, but was he aware of this—a bustling store filled with his fans, eager for something to show their support?
"It didn't actually take that long, but—thanks."
As they speak, a mother and child approach the cash register, their arms laden with back-to-school supplies. The little girl's clutching a Deku lunchbox and notebook and a pencil case—where were those? Toshinori hadn't seen them in the display. The mother has a pair of child-sized red sneakers in her hands and a relaxed, indulgent smile on her face.
He dares to ask, "Is Deku your favorite hero, young lady?"
"He is my favorite!" she declares. "Deku is—Deku is the best!"
Her mother ruffles her hair. "She's been following him ever since his debut."
"Oh, really?"
"Yes! Deku's amazing! He—when saved those people on the bus—he just caught it with his quirk and—and—and then they tried to interview him after but he was too busy making sure everyone was okay. Deku's really strong but he's really nice, too, and—yeah!" The little girl squeezes the Deku lunchbox to her chest.
Toshinori grins. "He's my favorite, too."
Izuku slides into the cafe seat. "Sorry I'm late, All Might!"
In lieu of a greeting, Toshinori slides a page of glittery stickers featuring the faces of his former students across the table. There's a sparkling pink Uravity, and there a sneering Great Explosion Murder God Dynamight glares at him with an iridescent shine. The Deku in front of him splutters as he stares at the sparkling green sticker-version on himself.
"What's this?"
"Stickers," Toshinori says. "But look what else I have." He rustles through his bag. One by one, he sets his purchases on the table: a Deku phone charm, a Deku lunchbox, a Deku figure. With each item, Izuku grows increasingly red and increasingly flustered. It reminds Toshinori of when they'd first met, when Izuku was a trembling, skittish boy with more heart than muscle. Ah, but that heart...
Izuku asks again, "What's this?"
"What? Don't tell me you had no idea these were going on the market!" He grins.
"Of course I knew! But—you didn't have to buy them."
Toshinori scoffs. "Yes, I did! Why wouldn't I want to support my favorite hero?"
Izuku blinks at him with huge green eyes that are growing alarmingly wet. He says, "F-favorite?" and then promptly bursts into tears.
All these years, and Izuku Midoriya is still a crybaby, Toshinori thinks fondly. He'd prepared for this exact reaction; Toshinori goes back through the bag to find the dark green handkerchief that has DEKU embroidered in the corner in black thread. "Use this," he says.
"Thank you." Izuku dabs at the corners of his eyes and sniffs. "I just wasn't expecting it. You're—I used to watch all your interviews and videos, All Might. I had your posters and action figures—"
"I saw your room in high school, kid," Toshinori reminds him. His own face plastered from wall to wall and miniature figures of himself grinning into the distance. It'd been pretty disconcerting, honestly.
Izuku chuckles. "Yeah—yeah, I remember. But it's just..." He trails off, growing quiet, pensive, hands in his lap and a small smile on his face. Softly, he says, "You made me want to be a hero."
There is a lot Toshinori could say to that. Responses are flying through his head. You make me so proud. You're going to be a better hero than I ever was. You're already a better hero than I ever was. I can only imagine the great things you will accomplish.
Toshinori clears his throat. They can't both start bawling here in the cafe; the place is way too crowded, and Izuku can cry enough for four people. He opens his mouth, then closes it and clears his throat again. Finally he just cracks a grin and says, "Shoe's on the other foot now, isn't it, fanboy? Speaking of which, I have this print—can I trouble you to sign it?"
The look on Izuku's face when he hands him a Deku-branded pen is priceless.