Ashido thought Jaxon Sachizado was the most adorable boy she'd ever seen. Brown hair barely covering ice-blue eyes, a set of three scars running down one cheek, a lean, muscular build, and a timid smile that powered through even the worst of the boy's Quirk-related migraines made him one of the best-looking guys in the class as far as Ashido was concerned. He was very kind, as well, except to Bakugou and Monoma, who attacked him relentlessly, and who got attacked in return.

So, Ashido had the desire to date Jaxon. But she had no idea where to start. For one thing, the kid was insanely shy around girls, and would avoid social contact with them as much as he could; Ashido was no exception. Also, Jaxon was focused on his combat training more than anything else, and Ashido just knew she'd slow him down if she got too close to him. They were already pretty good friends, and were both pretty open to each other, but that didn't mean anything as far as relationships were concerned.

But when the opportunity came to get more information, she took it in a heartbeat.

Jaxon's mother, Alondra, needed to repaint her house, and wanted to enlist some of her son's class to help. Most of class 1-A was busy the day she'd specified for the work, but Shoji, Ashido, and Midoriya were free, as well as Jaxon. Shoji showed up first, on his motorcycle; Jaxon hitched a ride home with Midoriya; Ashido arrived last, bringing most of the non-paint supplies.

The teens began to divide and conquer. Shoji ended up doing most of the actual painting, at least on the outer walls. Having a maximum total of six hands could do that for a person. Jaxon and Midoriya got to work on the upper floor, while Ashido and Alondra worked side-by-side in the living room. Ever the nosy mom, Alondra began to ask Ashido questions to get to know her.

"So, what's the Hero Course like?" asked Alondra.

Ashido cocked her head. "It's really intense," she replied, swiping her paintbrush to cover an area she'd missed. "But then, they're training us for real-world situations. It kinda makes sense."

"And the teachers? Any duds?" pressed Alondra. At Jaxon's junior high school, there had been no less than four terrible teachers in the span of three years, all of whom Jaxon's class had somehow managed to get fired or forced to resign. Alondra hadn't gotten the chance to meet any U.A. teachers except for All Might and Eraser Head; she wanted to scope out the field.

"That one's easy. Present Mic," answered Ashido. "He's our grammar teacher, and he acts like he just stepped out of the eighties. Complete with the mohawk and sunglasses. During school."

Alondra laughed. "Sounds like you have a rough time of it in his class."

"Not really. It's just distracting, is all. And that's a big problem when you teach something so boring."

Alondra waited a minute to respond, but her next question was startling. "Is it easy to make friends?"

Ashido stopped painting and turned her head. "Um... I'm not really sure how to answer that," she replied. "I mean, there are a lot of really great people there, but there's also some complete jerks."

"I understand," Alondra said soothingly. "When my Jax was in junior high, he had a lot of trouble making friends. But once he had them, he never let them down."

The trap was set, and Ashido walked right in. "Uh... I was meaning to ask you about him, actually. What's he like outside of school? I never see him."

"Which Jaxon do you mean?"

"The normal- no, that's not right... the base form. The regular mind. However you say it."

"Ah." Alondra's mouth curved into a thoughtful smile. "Both in and out of school, he's such a sweetheart, but he's so shy. He helps around the house a lot, but he doesn't leave it very often. Especially not since..." She trailed off, leaning back and pretending to scrutinize a section of the wall. But the thought going through her mind had nothing to do with painting.

Ashido sighed. "Since Alph's diagnosis, huh?"

"How did you know about that?" Alondra turned and looked, wide-eyed, at Ashido.

The acid girl returned the gaze. "I've met him before. At the Sports Festival, remember? And that was pretty much the first thing he told me. Matter of fact, I think it's the first thing he tells everyone. Said he wanted to get it out of the way-"

"So you wouldn't be left wondering." Alondra laughed. "That's my little Alph. So blunt about everything. But, yeah, that's what it was. When the doctors told us about it, Jaxon was in junior high. He took it really well on the outside, but I knew he was struggling. He'd basically lost his brother already, and he knows he's going to have to go through it again, though how long it'll take isn't clear yet. He basically threw himself into his studies and his Quirk training. His only friends were his other personas at that point, and he didn't know anything about close friendships outside his own mind. That's part of why I'm pushing him to get a girlfriend or something similar. I feel like having someone that close will, I don't know, draw him out of his shell a little."

Ashido's heart skipped a beat. "Y-you mean he doesn't have a girlfriend right now?"

"Heavens, no. Have you seen that boy? Any girl would have to do the asking to score a date with him. Granted, I think the fire form- Leo, you know- might like that Asui girl, but Leo and Jaxon are two different situations entirely." Alondra hesitated, then smiled. "But I like the way I think you're thinking."

"W-what do you mean by that?" asked Ashido, her face burning. Should I have asked? I shouldn't have asked. Should I?

"You have no idea how long I have been waiting to hear a girl of your caliber ask that question about my son," replied Alondra. "And I'm fairly certain you weren't asking for a friend."

"Well... I... uh..." Finally, after a lot of self-debating, Ashido broke down. "Yeah, I'm asking for me. I really like Jaxon. He seems like such a solid guy emotionally, and he's one of the smartest and funniest people in the class. Not to mention, he's the kindest guy I've ever met."

"Oh. So this has nothing to do with how he looks." Alondra smiled and brushed her hair out of her face. She continued before a red-faced Ashido could respond. "I'm only teasing. You said you and Jax were pretty good friends in your opinion?"

"Um, yes?"

"And you're certain he isn't interested in anyone else at the moment?"

"I hope not."

"Young woman, you have my blessing. I'm not saying Jaxon will definitely say yes to you, but if he does, you're home free. Treat him well."

Ashido almost passed out. "Y-you're saying..."

"Yes! You can date my son!" Alondra laughed. "Goodness, girl! You must have it bad!"

"You could say that," replied Ashido, before tipping backward. Alondra made a quick catch; the pink girl was then deposited on the couch.

Shoji came in from his wall-painting. "I'm done- whoa. What happened to her?" he asked, one of his dupli-arms turning into a perplexed-looking eye that stared straight at the unresponsive Ashido.

"Dehydration, I think," replied Alondra.

"You sure? She looks fine to me."

"I said, 'I think'! I'm a police detective, not a doctor!" exclaimed Alondra, shooing Shoji away to help Jax and Midoriya. As Alondra got back to work, she glanced back at Ashido.

She's definitely thirsty, anyways, thought Alondra Sachizado, with a chuckle under her breath. Setting people up was easier than she'd imagined. Now Jaxon wouldn't have to worry about finding someone dedicated, like Alondra had tried- and failed- to do. The dedicated person had found him.