Sussy Baka in MHA
Chapter 80: Protagonistic Dinner

Chapter 80: Protagonistic Dinner

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...

After the grand announcement about the summer camp and the approaching final exams, the school day came to an end, allowing the students to finally return home.

–Click...–

"..."

Minutes later, the door to Suzaku’s apartment opened slowly, revealing his figure illuminated by the light from outside, casting his front in shadow.

His face showed complete speechlessness, staring blankly into the air.

The news had left him devastated.

Dragging his feet inside, Suzaku let out a low groan, scratching his head in frustration.

"Damn it, aren’t I training to become a hero? Why the heck do I have to study math or science?"

Muttering his complaints aloud, he closed the door behind him with a kick, then threw his backpack onto the couch—followed by throwing himself onto it, too.

After making himself comfortable, resting his head on the couch’s armrest and staring at the ceiling, he began to process the impending doom he’d been informed about today.

He didn’t really care about the summer camp—aside from the fact that it’d steal part of his vacation. He didn’t like that part, but well, it wasn’t like he could do much about it.

Besides, it didn’t look all that bad. He might actually do some socializing instead of lazing around in bed all day.

Although that second option didn’t sound bad either.

But really, like, how bad could a summer camp even be?

No—what really worried him were the three days of pure exams that were coming up. Plus a practical one, but he knew he’d ace that. He was cool like that.

And to be honest... he might not have paid that much attention in class during the whole semester.

So yeah, it wasn’t looking good.

"It truly seems I have no other option..." Suzaku’s face turned grim as he shook his head slowly, seemingly resigned to something.

Then... he closed his eyes.

Suddenly—his surroundings changed.

He was no longer at home. Instead, he stood in a dark, eerie, and seemingly endless place filled with shallow water beneath his feet.

Aside from the small splashes caused by his feet whenever he moved, the mysterious place was filled with an endless and loud silence. Making the already eerie place even more so.

"..."

Suzaku eyed the place with a serious expression, but not a hint of surprise. He clearly knew where he was.

Without uttering a single word, he began walking forward, each step sending ripples across the water’s surface. Making for a scene that, if not for the ominous scenery, could have been very cool.

–Splat, splat, splat–

The wet sound of his steps echoed constantly, loud against the unending silence that filled the void.

He walked for who knows how long, his expression unchanging despite the monotony—until finally, something appeared.

A jail. A gigantic one.

Titanic iron bars loomed ahead, separating him from whatever was imprisoned behind them, and around at Suzaku’s height, in the center, was a keyhole.

Without hesitation, he stepped closer—within reach of whatever was inside.

Yet, he showed no fear. No hesitation.

Instead, he simply smirked... and waited.

And something answered.

"Look who came back, seeking my power," came a deep, terrifying voice from within, the darkness hiding its form.

Suzaku sneered, shaking his head with a wry smile.

"I didn’t want to do this either, but dark times approach... and I need you if I want to survive."

The being stayed silent for a moment, then snorted.

"Why should I help you? So you can get rid of me again after I bail you out of whatever mess you’re in now?"

"Indeed." Suzaku nodded without an ounce of shame.

"..."

After another pause, the voice came again—resigned, weaker. "I don’t really have an option... do I?"

Suzaku grinned, placing a hand on the keyhole. "You don’t."

As his hand touched the lock, the iron bars dissolved into millions of particles, and the prison was no more.

Whatever had been trapped... was now free.

"Then so be it."

Along with those words, the creature stepped into the light, towering over Suzaku as it slowly approached—almost gently.

It was a brain.

"Let us join forces," Suzaku said, extending a hand.

The brain extended a tendril and grabbed Suzaku’s hand, almost like a handshake.

"For survival."

–Bzzz–

The vibration of his phone snapped Suzaku out of schizophrenic delusions, his eyes shooting open.

While grumbling a bit in discontent, he took it out and, after checking the screen, raised an eyebrow.

"What does this nerd want now?"

Arata had sent a message.

[Nerdy kid with the weird hair: Yo, remember you told me your suit got melted during your internship?]

Suzaku sent a very detailed message in response.

[You: Ye]

[Nerdy kid with the weird hair: Well, I asked my teacher, and he said I can take on your new suit as my last project of the semester.]

[Nerdy kid with the weird hair

[You: I think I’m gonna be needing it by next week though... Can you make something like that in just a week?]

[Nerdy kid with the weird hair: You underestimate my power.]

[You: -Gif of a dog dancing with IA-]

[You: Fine by me then.]

[Nerdy kid with the weird hair: Anyway, I’ve got the manual of your old suit, so I can use it as a reference. Got anything specific you want changed or added?]

[You: A few things.]

[Nerdy kid with the weird hair: Tell me then. The sooner I can begin working on it, the better.]

Suzaku grabbed his chin for a moment of contemplation before typing a small list of changes he wanted compared to his old suit.

[You: Invulnerability to bullets, resistance to fire, resistance to electricity—actually, just make it resistant to everything. Lasers on the palms and chest, chainsaws on the fists, rocket boots, grappling hooks on the forearms, a built-in rocket launcher, lots of guns, the staff you made in a compartment, hidden blades on the wrists and tips of the boots, a minigun on each side of the waist... and a flamethrower on the crotch.]

With that, Suzaku smiled, satisfied. He was really asking for very little.

Arata read the list but didn’t respond immediately. Making Suzaku raise an eyebrow, wondering what was taking him so long.

Then, finally, the slime-haired teenager began typing.

[Nerdy kid with the weird hair: You overestimate my power.]

"..."

Suzaku sighed.

[You: Then just add some fire resistance, the grappling hook backpack you made last time, the staff too, and... the flamethrower on the crotch.]

[Nerdy kid with the weird hair: I could add that last one, but there’s a risk of something malfunctioning and your thing catching on fire.]

[You: Don’t add the flamethrower on the crotch.]

[Nerdy kid with the weird hair: Roger.]

Suzaku sighed again. It truly seemed fate was not on his side.

[Nerdy kid with the weird hair: Anything else?]

Suzaku stared at the question, this time taking it more seriously.

He thought for a while, considering what he truly lacked at the moment.

’Strength, defense, and speed are already covered by my new approach to my shapeshifting ability... Plus, if the grappling hook gets incorporated into my suit, that should enhance my mobility a lot too.’

Suzaku scratched the back of his head.

It seemed like he had most things covered. Of course, he was still far from All Might’s level, but as far as what he could reasonably achieve, he was well-rounded.

If he had to pick a thing, then maybe he lacked firepower—Ahem, the type that was not 100% lethal at least.

But he doubted Arata could add much in that regard in just a week.

Maybe the shocking gadgets the guy was obsessed with making would add a bit to that, but besides that—

’Huh... Well, that other thing could also be pretty useful...’ Suzaku’s eyes squinted as he recalled a certain object Arata had used at the Sports Festival.

[You

[Nerdy kid with the weird hair: U mean the Annihilation Bombs?]

[You: Yee.]

A few seconds passed before Arata replied.

[Nerdy kid with the weird hair: Sure, why not? But promote them a lot if you happen to get recorded for TV again.]

[You: Don’t worry, my amigo. I’ll promote you so much they’ll have to make a law against heroes doing that much publicity on live TV.]

[Nerdy kid with the weird hair: Don’t go that overboard...]

Suzaku chuckled, but nodded in satisfaction at having acquired the smoke bombs.

Why was he so pleased about that, you ask?

Aside from their obvious use as distractions, they were exactly what he needed right now.

His shapeshifting, while useful, was often pretty conspicuous. That’s where the smoke bombs came in—creating thick clouds to cover both him and his opponents. Not only would that hide the fight from prying eyes, but it would also make it harder for anyone nearby to spot the otherwise visible changes in his body.

If he ever had to use his shapeshifting mid-battle, this little item would be key to keeping the cat from getting out of the bag.

Letting out a satisfied hum, and with the matter of his soon-to-be-made new suit settled, Suzaku stood up.

Dozens of exams in subjects he hadn’t paid attention to even a bit during the semester were approaching—so of course, he couldn’t afford to keep wasting time on the couch.

He had to...

-Beep-

Play a bit on his Quirkstation, of course.

-Knock, knock, knock...-

"Who is it now...?"

That was the plan, at least until someone knocked at the door, interrupting his incoming gaming session.

With a groan escaping his mouth, Suzaku set the controller aside and stood up, grumbling annoyedly under his breath as he walked to the door. "It’s already getting dark. Who the heck would come here at this hour? Heck, is there even anyone who’d visit me?... I swear, if someone’s trying to be a smartass and rob me, I’m obliterating their spine and leaving them paraplegic."

As he vented, Suzaku finally reached the door. He opened it without an ounce of wariness, revealing the presumptuous smartass behind the door.

-Click-

"Now, who wants to die—oh."

Suzaku laughed inside his mind as he saw who was standing outside his door.

’Right. This guy was my neighbor.’

"H-Hello, Suzuki-kun."

It was Midoriya. The infamous protagonist of this world.

Raising an eyebrow, Suzaku leaned against the doorframe.

"I know you..." he muttered, pointing at him, before then twirling his finger in the air in silence for a few seconds as if trying to remember.

Then, suddenly, as if something had clicked, Suzaku pointed back at him. "...Broccoli-man!"

Midoriya deadpanned. "Izuku Midoriya."

Suzaku flashed him a smug grin. "By night known as Izuku Midoriya... What’s up, neighbor?"

The green head smiled wryly, not knowing what to say to that, before pointing to the side with his thumb. "Well, we heard you arrive a few minutes ago, so Mom asks if you wanna join us for dinner."

Suzaku turned to look there and saw the broccoli mom peeking from the apartment next door, smiling and waving at him.

Suzaku waved back, a forced smile forming on his face.

What could he say to that invitation? He felt grateful but...

’Dinner with the protagonist? Aw hell nah, that smells like a lot trouble.’

-Growl...-

’Nevermind.’

Suzaku grabbed Midoriya’s shoulder.

"Lead the way!"

...

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|Minutes later...|

...

Inko, Izuku, and Suzaku sat together at the table in the Midoriya household, enjoying some curry with rice Inko had prepared before Suzaku officially decided to join them.

"So, Suzuki-kun, how are you doing in school?" Inko, ever the chubby and caring woman, asked with a warm smile.

Suzaku lifted his face from the plate he was devouring.

Despite being a millionaire, he still ate like he’d been starving for days.

Not that becoming rich had improved his eating habits... So that wasn’t far from the truth.

"–Munch–... Eh, could be better." He shrugged, his expression far from cheerful.

"Is U.A. difficult? Izuku here’s been doing well, but he spends all day locked in his room with homework."

Suzaku gave Izuku a glance. The green-haired boy smiled sheepishly at the sudden mention.

"Well, I’d say I’m smashing it on the practical side... Academics? Not so much."

"Eh? But aren’t the final exams soon?!" Inko turned to Izuku, who simply nodded in confirmation, shifting the spotlight right back to Suzaku.

The redhead scratched his chin, thoughtful. "Yeah... those exams might give me some trouble."

Inko’s eyes filled with worry. "But do you think you’ll fail?"

Suzaku stayed silent for a second... then snorted, flashing a calm smile.

"Nah, I’ll pass."

The table fell quiet for a moment after the confident declaration.

Eventually, Inko chuckled awkwardly. "I-Is that so? Then that’s good. Being a hero is great and all, but you can’t forget your studies."

Suzaku groaned, poking his food with his spoon.

"I’d prefer to. My hands are made for punching people, not for taking notes."

Inko blinked in mild surprise. "Now that you mention it... I remember you were trending for a few days a while back. Videos of you fighting criminals on the street kept showing up on my feed."

Izuku, still silent, nodded. Apparently, he’d seen them too.

Suzaku smiled, shrugging with humility. "What can I say? The media loves me already."

"Don’t you think you were a little too rough with them?" Inko gave a concerned chuckle.

Suzaku waved her off. "Oh, don’t worry. It’s an old method of rehabilitation some professionals use. It’s called physical therapy."

"Really?" Inko looked at Izuku with a doubtful expression, wanting to confirm if that was true.

Sadly, it seemed his son was clueless as well, as he simply shrugged when he noticed her gaze.

While the Midoriya family exchanged doubtful glances, Suzaku continued. "And even if, by any chance, I was lying, I didn’t even go that hard on most of them. It may look like I’m killing them with all the blood splattered around and with the amount of hits they are taking—the way they plead for mercy also may add to that—but I actually held back quite a lot with most of them."

"...Really?" Inko asked, still not fully convinced.

Suzaku nodded. "I only knocked some sense into them—literally. But at the end of the day, I avoided giving most of them permanent damage... Which I could’ve done, no problem."

Even after hearing that, Inko still looked unsure.

Before she could respond, Izuku spoke up.

"You’re incredible, Suzuki-kun."

Suzaku nodded, not a hint of shame in his voice. "You’re quite right. But why are you saying it out of the blue?"

"It’s just... We’re still in our first year, and you’re already so far ahead of us. You beat Aizawa-sensei, ranked first in the practical exam, won the Sports Festival, have actual experience fighting villains, and... Iida-kun told me you even captured Stain all on your own..."

Inko gasped slightly at that last part, but she didn’t interrupt.

Izuku let out a sigh—part admiration, part self-deprecating.

"It’s like you’re on a completely different level... Sometimes I wonder if certain opportunities should’ve gone to you instead."

Suzaku stayed quiet, the usual smugness on his face fading just a bit.

Izuku laughed dryly, staring down at his plate.

"You probably don’t even know what I’m talking about."

"...No, I do."

Izuku looked up, a little surprised.

"You do?"

"Believe me, I’m fine as I am." Suzaku sighed, putting down his spoon and holding both hands up. "Those opportunities you talk about, they are better staying where they are. As noble and heroic as I may seem... I’m not all that good."

His gaze locked with Izuku’s, his eyes barely visible behind his glasses—but sharp enough to make Izuku flinch.

"They went to who they went to for a reason. And if those people feel unworthy... then all they gotta do is become worthy. Simple, right? Good ol’ get gud applies everywhere."

Izuku swallowed hard.

’Does... he know?’

For a few seconds, the two boys just stared at each other, their silence heavy with unspoken thoughts.

Inko glanced between them back and forth with a worried look, clearly out of the loop.

Eventually, though, Suzaku ended the tension in true Suzaku fashion.

"And besides," he said, scoffing with a smile full of humility, "I have been destined for greatness from the moment I was born."

He leaned back slightly, tone calm but confident. "Regardless of what advantages I could have gotten along the way, it wouldn’t have changed the result in the end."

Izuku blinked, and Suzaku grinned at his reaction, pointing upward as his usual smug glint returned to his eyes.

"Me—at the top."

Izuku, hearing that, smiled wryly.

Suzaku... really had quite the confidence, huh?

...

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|An hour or so later...|

...

After that strange exchange between Suzaku and Izuku, dinner continued in a more normal fashion. Inko asked about the usual things—Suzaku’s parents, how Izuku was doing at school, and how Suzaku was handling being independent.

Suzaku answered most of it—except when the topic suddenly shifted to how he was affording everything on his own.

He smoothly dodged the subject of his "part-time job" and instead attributed his financial stability to Tatsuo’s inheritance.

Inko knew not to pry too much, so she didn’t ask much about it anyway.

Once they were done eating, Suzaku bid the Midoriyas farewell and returned to his apartment, closing the door behind him with a nudge of his foot and letting out a light burp.

"Fortunately, it seems I won’t have to cook today..." Suzaku muttered, patting his full stomach with satisfaction.

He didn’t know the reason for the sudden invitation to have dinner with them, but he sure felt grateful.

As he moved through the apartment, he gave a glance toward his already set-up Quirkstation... then sighed in annoyance.

"Whatever. I don’t feel like it anymore."

He unplugged the device and, without sparing it another glance, headed straight to his room and collapsed onto his bed.

Rolling over onto his back, Suzaku stared at the ceiling, his mind replaying the dinner—and more specifically, that brief talk with Midoriya... Or rather, Izuku.

’Mr. Protagonist is doubting himself...’ Suzaku noted, mentally retracing everything that had happened at U.A. so far.

It made sense. He had been hogging the spotlight ever since enrollment. The protagonist—who he assumed had a lot of chances to shine in the original series—wasn’t exactly radiating that shonen glow anymore.

’There’s also that...’ Suzaku squinted, recalling the USJ incident—that didn’t happen.

Originally, Class A was supposed to face real villains there, giving them a proper trial by fire—classic character growth stuff. But thanks to Suzaku’s interference, that incident got twisted into nonexistence.

And then he went and handled the leftovers during the Sports Festival himself, robbing the so-called protagonist of the chance to get real experience.

Who knew what other "plot beats" he had unknowingly hijacked? He’d been chasing the #1 spot in everything except academics since Day One, and even went around pulling wild stunts outside of school. Chances were, he’d stepped on a lot of developmental opportunities for the main cast.

And like Izuku said, Suzaku had already fought villains for real. He even caught a serial killer during his internship.

Honestly, it’d be weird if the protagonist didn’t start feeling like a side character.

’But hey, not my fault.’ Suzaku snorted faintly. ’I ain’t slowing down just because the protagonist’s having some confidence issues. If he can’t keep up with me, that’s on him.’

With that, he pushed himself off the bed.

’At most, I can teach him how to git gud if it really comes to that—but he’s on his own when it comes to All Might’s hand-me-down Quirk.’

He strolled over to his desk, pulled out the chair, and slumped into it comfortably. After digging through his backpack, he pulled out a notebook labeled Math—scrawled in ink like whoever wrote it had beef with the concept of legibility—and slapped it onto the desk.

"But enough about protagonistic problems..." he muttered, cracking his knuckles. "Time to get serious."

Grinning, he grabbed a pen. "Those exams might give me trouble, yeah... But not even they stand a chance against me using 100% of my cerebral capacity."

With absolute confidence, he opened the notebook—

And froze.

"...Why the heck is it blank?"

...

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-To be Continued...-

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(A/N: Yet another great challenge stands before Suzaku and academic excellence. What will our protagonist do now, after realizing he has to deal with the consequences of never taking notes in class?

Will he fall into the deepest pits of despair, and ultimately fail in his quest to not screw up, or will he rise despite it, and somehow find a way to beat the fearsome exams?

Discover it in the next Chapter of Sussy Baka)

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