Ochako flipped from channel to channel aimlessly, sighing. Another day, another week without her friend. Deku had gotten sick and had to stay home from classes. He was probably in his room, suffering.
She'd insisted on staying to take care of him, but he'd insisted that he was fine on his own. He didn't want to cause her any problems. That sentence had caused her to blush furiously, and run out of the room.
He'd probably thought she was a complete weirdo. She was such an idiot. She'd trudged back to her room in a daze. Then she'd entered depression mode. Her weapons; a tub of green tea ice cream, a serving spoon, her remote, and the Flash TV show, which was currently showing a very revealing Barry working out, muscles on display.
Of course, that only reminded her of Midoriya.
It didn't help when Mina burst into her room like a chattering monkey.
"Shopping? Really?" Ochako mumbled from her beanbag chair. Mina's happy giggle echoed in her ears. "Yup! This new mall opened up! And you're coming with!" Ochako looked back to the screen on her TV, which still showed the Flash, shirtless and working out. "Busy."
Mina sighed and dragged Ochako off the chair. She squeaked out a complaint, but Mina took no heed. "C'mon, everyone's going! All the girls! Girl time. C'mon. C'mon-c'mon-c'mon!" Ochako sighed and stared at Mina. "Fine. But only if you'll leave me alone after." Mina gave her a salute. "Yes, ma'am.
With that, Ochako was subsequently forced to leave unprepared (Mina dragged Ochako away from the fridge) which left her with no excuses to bail out on the shopping trip. A black limo waited patiently in the UA parking lot, to Ochako's amazement.
"Are we going to a gala, or the mall?" Mina waved a hand. "Momo's coming, remember?" Ochako's eyes bulged. "Wait, everyone's coming?!" Mina tilted her head. "Yeah. I said that an minute ago."
Ochako slapped her cheeks. "Ok. Well, as long as I'm not alone with the Shipping Queen…" She mumbled. Undoubtfully she would pester Ochako about Deku again. Mina jumped in her face. "What was that?" She said with a grin. Uraraka glared at her unsuccessfully. "N-nothing!" She stammered. Mina raised a eyebrow.
Ochako waved a hand at the limo in an attempt to steer clear of the approaching conversation. "A-anyway, there's the limo! Let's go shopping!" She cheered to seal the deal. The deal was not sealed. She could feel Mina's beady little eyes boring into her brain.
Ochako vaulted into the car, slamming the door behind her. "Hey a, Ochako!" Toru chattered. "Hi.." Ochako murmured. "What's up? You usually love to shop. Mina said you were being Violet Parr after Tony lost his memories. From the Incredibles." Momo nodded sagely from the other side of the limo. "She didn't say about who or what. Why were you moping, Ochako?"
Ochako facepalmed. Leave it to Mina to promote her train wreck of a life. "I, uh, was sad. I watched Avengers: Endgame! Really torn up about it." Momo nodded. "I understand." Toru nodded and Tsuyu ribited in agreement. Ochako looked to Mina hopefully. But it was to no avail. Mina's pitch black eyes seemed to stare into Ochako's very soul.
There was no way she was getting out of this one that easy.
The mall appeared in their view far faster than Ochako would have liked. Mina hopped out of the car, oddly silent. The other girls yakked away while Ochako tried to look normal. No good getting the other girls on her radar too.
The girls wandered from store to store, grabbing lunch around noon. The girls finished first, and they announced that they were going to go check out Hot Topic. In a flash they disappeared, leaving Mina and Ochako alone.
Ochako shuddered. She was done. In the frying pan. Mina sighed and folded her arms. "Ochako…level with me." Ochako shut her eyes as hard as she could, willing this conversation away from her. "…you didn't like the poke either?" Ochako's eyes snapped open in shock.
"Wha-oh yeah!" Ochako saw the out and she was taking it. "Yeah…it was kinda salty." She babbled. Mina grinned wickedly and Ochako knew she screwed up. "There was no salt on this poke." Ochako's face hit the table with a clatter, causing those in the food court to stare at them. Mina payed them no heed.
"It's a boy, isn't it?" Mina said gleefully. Ochako felt no need to hide it anymore. A nod.
"Is he in our school?" Another nod.
Mina's smile widened. "Is it Midoriya?"
Ochako raised her head only for it to hit the table just as fast.
"Ding-ding-ding." Mina sang.
Ochako mumbled into the table. "It's complicated." Mina's hand brushed through her hair. "Poor baby." Ochako relished in this calm, understanding side of Mina. How wrong she was.
"Say, there's your chance for redemption. Six 'o'clock sharp." Ochako whipped her head about to see Deku, ordering a salad at the buffet. Her head hit the table for the third time. Mina grinned and waved Deku over. He immediately grabbed his salad and ran over to them.
"Uraraka! Ashido! Didn't expect to see you guys." Mina gave him a huge smile and waved her hands. "Long time no see! I thought you were sick!" Deku grinned. "Oh, I'm feeling a lot better now. Your soup was amazing, Uraraka."
Ochako nearly shot the water she was drinking out of her nose.
"Huh?" She said stupidly. Deku grinned again. "The chicken soup that you made for me. You left it on my bedside table while I slept. Thank you." He reached over and wrapped his arms around her. "I'm lucky to have a friend like you."
Ochako had to decide on whether to enjoy the sensation of Deku hugging her or writhe in confusion. Chicken soup? Who…? She whipped her head towards Mina, who winked.
This cheeky little-she knew what Ochako was dealing with and made her go through all this confusion and anger?! She didn't even tell her anything! This alien was getting kicked to the moon! Yet…at the same time she'd helped out Ochako and given her a golden opportunity! Her conflicting feelings burned in her brain.
"So, uh…Ura-Uraraka…" Ochako turned her thoughts from Mina and looked at Deku. He was going bright red, perhaps it was hot in here for him. "Did you want to...walk around? Or something?" Ochako flushed massively. "Um…..!"
Mina kicked her under the table and nodded. "Oh…of course!" Ochako babbled. Deku gave her a mind-melting smile. "You don't mind if I borrow her?" He asked Mina. Mina smiled knowingly. "Not at all." "Good. C'mon." Deku murmured as he extended his hand to Ochako. Ochako took his hand (God, it was as warm as she imagined) and he walked her towards the stores.
As Ochako walked with Deku, she snuck a glance back at Mina. Mina had her feet propped up on her chair, her face in such a big grin you'd think she was queen of the world.
The Shipping Queen had struck again.