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Chapter 10 - Just a Bartender

In the morning, Izuku sat having breakfast with Master Fu. He never thought he'd get to taste katsudon so soon. It didn't taste as good as his mom's cooking, but it was still a comforting meal. More importantly, he needed to learn the layout of Paris and understand where everything was.

"I see you were busy again last night, Izuku," Wang Fu remarked, turning his attention to the television, where someone had uploaded Melodie's performance from the previous evening. "And you used the Butterfly Miraculous' power to empower someone and help them fight their internal battles rather than external threats."

"I'm honestly surprised you figured that out so easily, Master Fu," Izuku said, genuinely impressed.

Wang Fu chuckled. "I heard the song last night, and I understood how it felt. It was obvious. I'm sure Melodie inspired a lot of people to keep fighting and never give up."

"Well, back in my world, there was a popular motto at U.A. High," Izuku explained. "It was 'Go Beyond, Plus Ultra,' which basically means pushing past your limits to achieve greatness. All Might embodied that motto by constantly exceeding his physical limitations to fight villains who nearly defeated him in his early days."

"That's a wonderful motto. You could popularize it among the young heroes you've chosen," Wang Fu suggested, clearly taken with the phrase. "Speaking of which, what exactly are you planning, Izuku?"

"What do you mean?" Izuku asked, confused.

"From the perspective of the ordinary citizens, it looks like you're empowering people to fight crime and save the day. But I know you well enough to see that something more is going on—especially since you hardly get any sleep anymore." Wang Fu's perceptiveness nearly made Izuku choke. "You're seeking out people who are eager to be empowered, because you believe an enemy is coming. A powerful one. You don't know when, but you know it will happen."

Izuku laughed nervously. "I can't believe I got caught already."

"You believe an enemy is on the way, young one?" Wang Fu asked gently.

"Well, yeah. In my world, there was always another villain rising. Heroes had to defeat them to protect the people. But the day my reality collapsed was the day the heroes failed to stop it." Izuku's tone grew somber as he remembered how not even All Might could prevent his world's annihilation. "This world doesn't have Quirks, and most criminals here are ordinary. But that doesn't mean a powerful villain won't appear. After all…"

"After all what?" Wang Fu prompted.

"Someone still has the Peacock Miraculous, right?" Izuku said, revealing the core of his concern. Wang Fu's eyes widened slightly. "I heard from Nooroo that the Butterfly Miraculous wasn't the only one lost—so was the Peacock Miraculous."

"So that's your real reason. You're searching for people determined enough to become heroes for the coming battle, and I assume you'll continue doing so," Wang Fu concluded, and Izuku nodded. "But to truly fight Amok-created creatures, you must be aided by the wielders of the Ladybug and Cat Miraculouses."

"Right. Nooroo told me the Cat Miraculous is more action-oriented and destructive, while the Ladybug Miraculous is more strategic and can repair collateral damage after the fight," Izuku recalled. "But since the wielder of the Peacock Miraculous hasn't made a move yet, there's no need for those two Miraculouses right now."

"So far," Wang Fu agreed, "but like your instincts tell you, they may make a move soon. I will find worthy wielders for them, but I'm afraid I cannot tell you who they are."

"Right—because secret identities for Miraculous holders are essential. Otherwise, enemies could steal the Miraculouses," Izuku said, remembering the stark contrast to his own world, where hero identities were optional and families of revealed heroes were protected by the Hero Public Safety Commission.

Wang Fu smiled. "Are you heading out soon?"

"Yep. Aside from looking for another potential hero, I still haven't explored Paris in the daytime yet. Yesterday left me too exhausted." Izuku bowed politely before stepping toward the door. "See you later, Master Fu."

As Izuku left, Wang Fu tidied up and wondered whether the boy was truly all right in this new world. He knew Izuku was still hurting, yet he could also see that being a hero brought him genuine happiness.

Even so, he couldn't shake the fear that Izuku would push himself too hard in an attempt to save this world, driven by the trauma of losing his own.

"Don't strain yourself, young one," Wang Fu murmured.

Izuku took a pleasant stroll through Paris, wandering the streets like a curious tourist. In the daylight, the city looked completely different from Musutafu; its romanticized charm felt as though it had stepped straight out of a storybook.

He snapped pictures with the old camera Master Fu had given him—even though his phone could do the job just as well, the nostalgia of using film felt right.

"I wonder who Adrien Agreste is," Izuku murmured, stopping to examine a cluster of billboards featuring a blond boy with striking features. "Is he a model or something? He seems famous—maybe even more famous than some top-ranking heroes back home with how much exposure he gets."

Ignoring that, he visited many of Paris's iconic locations: the Trocadéro, Pont des Arts, Grand Palais, Louvre Museum, Place des Vosges, and of course the Eiffel Tower—seeing it for the first time as an ordinary civilian rather than as Mightyfly.

Eventually he wandered into the Jardin des Tuileries, the public garden stretching between the Louvre and Place de la Concorde.

Izuku sat down on a bench to rest. "I forgot how tiring walking around can be."

Nooroo emerged from the brooch with a bright smile. "Are you enjoying yourself, Master?"

"Yeah," Izuku said, exhaling softly. "I never thought I'd end up in another country—especially the romanticized version of Paris I always heard about back in my world. This is going to be my permanent home now. I just wish my mom could see how beautiful it is."

"She would be happy for you, Master," Nooroo replied warmly.

"It's nice seeing you so much more relaxed, Nooroo. You were so timid and scared when we first met," Izuku said, noticing the change.

Nooroo giggled. "I'm simply glad to finally meet someone who uses my power for good. I expected you to use it for evil like the others before you, but I'm happy you proved me wrong, and I'm grateful you rescued me. You are the best master I've ever had!"

"I don't deserve that kind of praise," Izuku said gently. "I didn't even know what you were when I saved you—it was an accident. But I'm glad I met you too, Nooroo. I don't know if this was supposed to be my destiny, but I'm grateful to use this power to help people."

"No problem at all, Master. And if you ever stray from your path, remember that I'll always be here to guide you, just like I promised," Nooroo said. "Follow what your heart and mind tell you. Don't let anyone convince you that you're not worthy of being a hero. Just keep being Mightyfly."

Izuku chuckled, wiping away a stray tear. "Thanks, Nooroo. I appreciate it."

As he stood to leave, he caught sight of a Japanese girl practicing kendo nearby, an elderly woman—likely her mother—sitting on a bench beside her. From their refined clothing, they seemed to be important figures.

Still, what drew his attention most was the simple fact that he hadn't encountered anyone from Japan during his entire tour. This was the first time.

He observed the girl as she trained with relentless determination, her technique sharp and disciplined. The elderly woman, who seemed to be blind judging by her sunglasses, remained entirely unimpressed.

Izuku analyzed the girl's form—her movements were impressive. If she had possessed a Quirk, she could easily have become a formidable hero. He found himself wondering why her mother showed no reaction at all.

"Hey, kid. You know stalking someone isn't good," a young man whispered into Izuku's ear.

Izuku jolted upright, goosebumps shooting down his spine. "Oh my god! Who are you!?"

The young man chuckled in amusement. "Relax. I'm just a bartender."

He was young, with sharp green eyes framed by thick brows that tilted downward in suspicion. A tangle of chestnut hair curled at the ends, softening the otherwise sharp angles of his face. His crisp white shirt and black bow tie suggested a formal profession, yet his lean posture carried a subtle air of reluctance.

"A bartender?" Izuku repeated, confused.

"Yep. Name's Sebastian. Sebastian Keynes," he said. "I've been working with the Tsurugi family for about two years now—temporarily, just until my contract ends. I just needed the money."

"Didn't really need the last part," Izuku muttered, "but… what is the Tsurugi family?"

Sebastian pointed at the two people Izuku had been watching. "Them. The woman is my boss, Tomoe Tsurugi. The very serious, very attractive girl is her daughter, Kagami Tsurugi."

Izuku looked back at them. "How important are they?"

"You're kidding, right? Ms. Tsurugi owns Tsurugi Industries—they make all kinds of advanced electronics," Sebastian said. "They're as rich as the Agreste family or the Sphinx family."

Izuku tilted his head. "And what is their personal bartender doing here?"

"Ms. Tsurugi brings me along to make her favorite beverage personally during her important meetings. For some reason, she prefers the way I prepare it, so I had to 'replace' a few other bartenders for a while." Sebastian smirked, clearly proud. "I am an expert, after all. Even my aunt back in New York misses my skill."

"Why did you move to Paris?" Izuku asked.

"Well," Sebastian said, his voice dipping only slightly with melancholy, "I felt restricted by the way my aunt taught my cousin and me. She taught us… harshly. I wanted to be like them, but eventually I realized her lessons weren't meant for me. So I left for Paris, hoping to get temporary work. That's how I met Ms. Tsurugi."

Izuku felt something stir within his brooch, a faint glow indicating a pulse of positive emotion. Sebastian seemed genuinely happy here, yet something about him suggested an emptiness—something unresolved.

Izuku chose not to pry and was about to say goodbye when—

"Sebastian? Who are you talking to?" Tomoe Tsurugi's voice cut through the air.

Izuku nearly squealed; she had appeared out of nowhere, her tone stern and absolute.

"Oh—Ms. Tsurugi! This is…" Sebastian bumped Izuku's shoulder, prompting him to introduce himself.

"I'm Izuku Midoriya," he said, bowing respectfully.

"Izuku Midoriya? So you are Japanese?" Tomoe asked. "あなたはなぜパリにいるのですか?"

Translation: Why are you here in Paris, young man?

"この間両親が亡くなって以来,ここに引っ越してきたからです," Izuku answered, stumbling slightly under her unyielding presence.

Translation: Because I moved here after my parents passed away recently.

Sebastian blinked in confusion, looking between them. "Eh?"

Tomoe nodded. "So you speak perfect Japanese. I assumed you were raised in Paris. Why live in France rather than return to Japan, even after your parents' deaths?"

"B-be-because I have a relative here…" Izuku cursed himself internally for stuttering. He was terrible at lying. "I only found out about them recently."

"I see. Well, it is time for us to leave. Sebastian, get in the car," Tomoe instructed.

Sebastian brightened. "Yes, ma'am."

Izuku waved goodbye as Sebastian jogged toward their sleek, likely technologically advanced car. When he glanced back, he met Kagami Tsurugi's eyes. She remained silent, composed.

Izuku gave her an awkward little wave. She didn't react—a blank stare that left him wondering whether he had somehow offended her.

"Come on, Kagami," Tomoe instructed.

"Yes, Mother," Kagami replied before following her. Just as she turned, she offered Izuku the faintest, almost imperceptible wave.

Izuku blinked. It felt familiar somehow—like Allegra Sphinx all over again. A strange déjà vu echoed through him.

Then again, he reminded himself, many Japanese families were strict, though he had never experienced that kind of upbringing thanks to his endlessly gentle mother. Kagami's emotional state felt neutral—no joy, no sadness, no hostility.

She was fine. Probably.

"You're thinking about her already, Master? Found love too soon, huh?" Nooroo teased.

Izuku immediately flushed bright red. "Wha—Wha—What!? What are you talking about, Nooroo!?"

"Unhinged romance," Nooroo said with a cheeky grin.

"You little—!" Izuku grabbed the tiny kwami, patting him repeatedly and squishing his cheeks in retaliation.

Both burst into laughter. Izuku continued exploring Paris until he eventually transformed into Mightyfly. For now, there were no major crimes to handle.

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