===(Bakugou)===

I grit my teeth in frustration as the teachers has everyone evacuate the dome. I was already pissed off that a bunch of two-bit villains invaded Yuuei, though it was fun to take them down. No, my anger came from that stupid nerd again.

Deku.

As much as it made me want to puke, I had to acknowledge one thing: Deku jumped out to protect All Might while I was standing around like flies looking at poop.

And that. Made. Me. ANGRY!

It seemed that I couldn't ever catch a break from him. Every time that I did something, he was there to take the spotlight for himself. It's been like this ever since the slime incident from last year, Deku showing off his quirk one event after another. I couldn't comprehend it. Everything I did, Deku did…

I didn't dare finish that thought.

No. This is all wrong. I was the one who was supposed to be the top student in everything! I was the one who was supposed to save everyone, NOT DEKU!

I clench my fists, tighter and tighter until it felt like my bones would snap. And then I clench them some more. Mark my words Deku, you will only ever be a pebble in my path!

I walk with the class outside, but my rage still burned with the intensity of my explosions.

I'll make sure of that.

===(Toga)===

The teachers informs me of what happened while I was gone. As far as they know, the villains had a person with a warping quirk to get into U.A. and attack the students to try to kill them. That was their theory, but what confused them was that all the villains were just thugs, not big-shot baddies. It confuses me too. I knew that the League had very powerful villains at their disposal, so they could've taken down two pro heroes if nothing else. Since they didn't do that, they most likely tampered with something from the school. The teachers and principal probably came to the same conclusion as well.

When the teachers asks me what happened to me when I was taken away, however, I answer them with half-truths. I tell them that I met some crazy kid with blue hair who said that he wanted to take down All Might, purposely leaving out the part where I befriended him more than a year and a half ago.

Seeing the teachers genuinely believe me made me feel like throwing up.

Aizawa, one of the most perceptive people I know, agreed that I was telling the truth. He kept trying to reassure me regarding these events, when in reality his words were crushing my spirit. A part of me whispers, Look at me. A girl who lies to her teachers and is friends with the most dangerous villain alliance in all of history is trying to become a hero. What a laughingstock...

My footsteps were heavy and slow throughout the rest of the evacuation. I could barely think through all the guilt, and the others in the class had to be snap me out of my trance a few times. Before I realize it, the students were given permission to go home. I didn't feel like going to my barren house, however, so I instead walk to a park that was in my neighborhood. It was pretty small, but I didn't care at that moment. All I wanted was somewhere to sit and think.

I collapse onto a bench, feeling frustrated. I desperately want to be friends with Shigaraki because I know that he truly cares about me and he is a good friend that I can rely on, but I also want to be a hero with virtue and integrity who helps others. These two desires were like oil and water mixing, creating only disaster.

What do I do…?

The frustration in my chest kept growing and growing until I felt like I was about to snap. I clench my fists as hard as I can in an attempt to keep myself under control. What do I do…?

At that point my head was buzzing so much that I start to cry. I felt like I was trapped in a cage with no way out and was slowly being suffocated. My chest kept squeezing tighter and tighter, and I really did find it hard to breathe.

WHAT DO I DO?!

My crying soon becomes bawling, hot tears streaming down the sides of my cheeks. I press my hands against my face, feeling lower than I ever had before. What do I do…? What do I do…? What do I do…? Over and over I repeat this to myself, wishing that I would receive an answer to my cries.

"Toga?"

My head snaps upward at the sound of my name. I look around to see who was calling out to me, and I see a familiar boy holding some grocery bags.

It was Izuku.

"I-Izuku!" I quickly wipe away my tears, although I doubt that he didn't notice it. "Wh… What're you doing here?"

"O-oh, I just live in this neighborhood is all. I was just at the convenience store picking up some food…" Izuku then looks me in the eyes with an expression of concern. "...But what about you?"

I look away from him, feeling too ashamed to meet his gaze. Unlike me, he's an actual hero who doesn't pick sides. How can I just talk to him? I try desperately to get him to leave, not wanting to bother him with my problems. "I-I'm just feeling stressed from the attack today. I-I'll be, *Sniff!*, f-fine, so you should just go home…"

"..." I hear Izuku walk towards me. I also hear Izuku sit down right next to me on the bench. "Toga, you're crying all by yourself in a park bench. I can't just 'go home.'"

I expected Izuku to say something like that. I didn't expect, however, the relief that came with his gentle words.

I still didn't feel good enough about myself to look at Izuku, but I felt comfortable enough to talk with him now. So, with a cracked voice, I nervously say to Izuku, "I… I have a problem that... Well, that I just can't seem to fix. You see, I… I'm struggling with a relationship with a friend."

"What do you mean?"

I take some deep breaths to steady my voice. "The boy I'm having a fight with is… Is an old friend that I used to hang out with. He's pretty childish and brash, but he means the world to me. He was the first friend that I ever had, now that I think about it." My face suddenly twists in guilt at the memory of Shigaraki being hurt because of me. "He's always kind to me, even in our disagreements. No matter what happens between us he always has my back." I start to sob again as the words pour out of my mouth. "But even though he cares for me, I… I can't keep being friends with him. Not as long as I'm a hero."

"Why?" Izuku asks, sounding really confused. "If you both care for each other, why can't you be friends?"

"I... I can't say..." Even though I knew how dangerous the League of Villains was, I couldn't bring myself to tell the truth to anybody. My heart would shatter into pieces if I did.

For a while, we sit in silence. I start to feel even more uncomfortable, and for a few moments, I think that Izuku was going to leave. To my surprise, Izuku breaks the awkward silence. "I'm not sure what the rift between you two may be, but… I don't think you being a hero is the problem."

"What?" I look at Izuku, too focused on what he meant to remember that I didn't want to look at him in the first place.

"Being a hero isn't just a profession. It's all about the heart." Izuku smiles, and his entire face brightens. "The word 'hero' is a title that brings hope to others that don't have hope. The word 'hero' is meant to say that you won't abandon anyone, no matter what the circumstances may be. If you're a hero, then that means you don't give up on your friendship when it gets complicated. You just work harder to make it work."

"Work harder to make it work…" His words start to turn gears in my head. Shigaraki openly told me that he was a villain, yet our relationship didn't change. He promised me that he would always be my friend, no matter who I became, and he's been upholding his promise all this time. Does that mean… I can still be friends with him?

I wasn't a hundred percent sure if it could work. I was determined to become a hero, and I knew that it would force me and Shigaraki to cross paths against each other. Maybe that's why I was so hesitant to continue our relationship: I was afraid of hurting him. I was also afraid that if I were to keep being friends with Shigaraki, then I wouldn't be truly living the way a hero should.

But when Izuku encouraged me to make my friendship with Shigaraki work, even though he didn't know that the friend I was referring to was a villain, I felt the weight on my heart start to lift. I could breathe easier, and everything looks a bit brighter.

For the first time after the attack at Yuuei, I smile, specifically at Izuku. "Izuku, you're really special something, you know that?"

He blushes a bit, and his tone goes back to his usual stuttering. "I-it's nothing, really, just… When I saw you crying here, I knew that I had to help you."

"...!" My heart suddenly skips a beat. I don't know why, but his words make my face feel fuzzy. Unconsciously I look away from Izuku, feeling embarrassed. Whoa… What's going on with me?

"Toga? Are you alright?"

"Huh? …Oh, y-yeah!" I realize that I was looking away from Izuku, and I quickly turn to face him. "Yeah, I'm good! Just… Just thinking about what you said is all."

"Ah, I-I see…"

The mood quickly becomes heavy again, but this time out of sheer embarrassment. The both of us were blushing, and neither of us could seem to look at each other in the eyes.

After a few moments of this, I realize how late it was getting. I quickly stand up, wanting to avoid being out in the neighborhood at night. "It's getting pretty late. We better get going before it gets dark."

Izuku's eyes widens at the realization. "Oh crap, you're right! I didn't even realize that the sun was setting!" He quickly gets off the bench as well and takes a minute to double-check his grocery bags.

For a few moments, I gaze in admiration towards Izuku. He was adorable and unintentionally funny, yet he was also serious and kind to those in need. I only knew him for a few days, but I already felt close enough to him to call Izuku a friend.

"...Hey, Izuku?"

"Huh? What is it Tog-"

I lunge forward and squeeze Izuku in a bear hug. It was something special to me. As a kid, I never received hugs, and I never had anyone to give a hug to. It wasn't until I met Shigaraki that I found someone that I cared enough for to hug.

Izuku had taken the time to give me comfort when he could've just walked home without my notice. A hug was the only way I could express how grateful I was for the relief he gave me.

But, after I take a glance at his face, I start to realize that that hugging him may not have been the best way to do that. Izuku's face was burning, and he was shaking so much that I felt like if I were to let go, he would topple over.

I let go of him, my face starting to turn a bit red also. "Oh, I'm sorry if that was too sudden Izuku! That's just how I like to say a big 'Thank You!' is all."

He stutters, "S… S-sure… Th-th-that's no p-pr-problem…"

I struggle to contain bursting out into laughter at Izuku's adorableness. Even in his best moments, Izuku will still be Izuku.

I soon say goodbye to Izuku after he's convinced that I'll be alright and walk home, humming all the way there. Even when I brushed my teeth and curled up in bed the warm feeling of his kindness still lingered. I was beyond thankful to Izuku, and I felt determined to do even more to become a hero so that I could show Izuku the impact he had on me.

Still, as I close my eyes and try to fall asleep, I knew that there was another reason why I was still thinking about Izuku. A thought that I couldn't help but think about through the night...

...

...

...

...

...

I think I might be interested in him.