I don't own BNHA

She had subconsciously walked all the way to the cafeteria-which, to be fair, was quite a way from her classroom-and froze, so up in her head.

The dirty-blonde, blue-eyed boy was leaning against the door of the cafeteria. He was staring at the floor, lifting his eyes to her, but not reacting. Which was unusual, in itself, not to mention, the weird look in his eyes.

he was the only one outside of our class who survived.

Shimura-no, Shigaraki had saved class A for last, for "all the troubles they'd caused him", apparently.

And one by one, he'd killed off those he didn't see as worthy, to torment those he wanted to hurt more.

But, Monoma had taken a quirk similar to Toru's and gone in hiding for a while. Shigaraki soon forgot about him-he was a mere insect. If Monoma had gotten in Shigaraki's way, he would've been dead, of course.

He'd been smart enough not to-although there wasn't much of a reason to even stay alive.

But right now, he looked like someone who knew what it was like to be hunted. to be scared, as if your life was on the line.

She was hallucinating again, wasn't she?

She sighed to herself, soft and broken. Would this all go away once Shigaraki was defeated-once he was

dead?

Somehow, she knew, that this wasn't something that could just go away, even if the cause vanished.

She was too far gone to save. And she didn't know if she could kill anyone, even if that anyone was Shigaraki Tomura.

"Am I dreaming?' She heard him murmur wistfully.

huh?

"A-are you talking to me?' she stammered, feeling a little awkward and confused.

"Yes," he hesitated, "no."

"I-what?'

"Sorry. You looked like someone I know."

"You're not acting like yourself," she blurted, her eyes widening when she realised what she'd accidentally said. She'd basically implied she knew him. Which she did, but...

"Not that I know you or any-"

She was astonished to see Monoma's eyes glistening, fresh tears sliding down his cheek.

"W-w-w-" She bit her lip. How was she supposed to comfort him? Had this even happened in the original? Was there some kind of emotional baggage the original Monoma had, that no one knew about?

"You sound just like the Uraraka I know." She swallowed.

"The Uraraka you know?' she asked, voice so low it was almost a whisper.

"I was there. She couldn't see me, but I was there. And then, I was here. I'll probably sound crazy because she's probably dead now."

Uraraka laughed. Her laugh was full of heartache, and it took Monoma's attention.

"I wish." She laughed, even harder, bordering on hysterical.

"But I'm so thankful I'm not alone anymore." She stumbled, her eyes blurry with tears, to the boy she now knew was the one that was hers. His eyes widened in recognition. "no way..."

Finally, a familiar face, an actual familiar face.

Even though she'd never hugged him before, it wasn't uncomfortable. She sagged in his arms, crying silently.

"It's okay. It's okay," he whispered into her hair.

They were lucky no one else was in the hall. It took a few minutes for her to compose herself. He tenderly wiped her tears away after wiping his own.

"I'm sorry," he said under his breath. She wasn't sure if she was supposed to hear him.

"For what?'

"For running away. I don't know why I was scared when-" he voice cut off.

"I know," Uraraka blinked more tears away. She knew. They barely had time to grieve, trying to save what was left. Even though, there was practically nothing.

At least, she had still had her lover and her best friends.

He was the only sole survivor of class B, and his parents, his friends, everyone was gone.

The others died as heroes.

"Well, you're gonna save them this time, aren't you?' She asked. Before he could reply, someone interrupted.

"Save who?' Deku asked, cheerfully, from behind her.

She startled, turning around. She hoped she didn't look like she'd been bawling her eyes out.

"Oh, you look red. Are you sure you're feeling better? Oh! You were feeling sick yesterday, right? Oh, no, did you come to school sick? You-"

"He's the same," Monoma whispered in her ear, chuckling, humorlessly.

Curse her extra blush-able cheeks.

"No, no. I'm fine."

"Well, I should get going, Ochako," Mo-Neito, if he called her Ochako, she was allowed to call him Neito, right?-waved.

"Who was that?' Deku asked, curiously.

"Oh, that's Monoma Neito. From class B."

"How do you know him?' Deku asked, starting to walk into the cafeteria. Uraraka followed him. Class must've ended. She doubted Aizawa even noticed she'd left after he'd gone to sleep, which she was thankful for.

"We're good childhood friends," Uraraka lied. She could tell Neito later to play along.

"Oh. That's why he called you Ochako, right?' Deku asked rhetorically.

"You can as well, by the way. I never said it, I know, but since I call you Deku, it'd seem a bit rude to not let you call me Ochako."

Deku blushed and muttered something incoherent.

Uraraka's thoughts drifted back to Neito. Wow. She had expected to be the only one.

How had they both done it, anyway?

"I was there."

That's what he said, right? There when what happened?

Uraraka turned around and the world flashed white.

Pain shot through Uraraka's head, and her knees dropped beneath her. Deku, ever the hero, caught her before she could fall.

"Uraraka! What's wrong?'

"Sorry," she mumbled weakly, gently shoving him back. "It's okay-I'm okay."

"Are you sure?' Deku's face crumpled. "We can go to Recovery Girl if-"

"No, I just-it's okay." She forced a smile to her face, even though she doubted it was convincing.

"Alright," Deku sighed. "Please tell me if you're not feeling okay, though. Please."

"I will. Relax." Uraraka breezed past him, to their usual table, even as her head stung.

"Hey, Shinsou, hey lida." She said.

Deku watched her cautiously before following her. He kept a watchful eye on her, even as he talked to the others.

She glared at him sharply when lida pointed it out, and he pouted at her.

"So, how's it feel being class rep, Midoriya?' Shinsou asked, noticing her discomfort and distracting the other boys from her. She nudged him gratefully, as subtly as possible.

"To be honest, I don't know if I'm qualified. I wonder if I can do this properly, it just feels like...not me," Deku said, focusing his attention off her. About time.

"Can't agree more," Uraraka said, before she spluttered. "Not the part where you think you're not qualified, I meant, I feel like that, too,"

"You both are. It'll be fine." lida said, focusing on his rice.

"Are you a rich boy, lida?' She asked neutrally. Shinsou jabbed her in the waist. She jabbed him back.

"Well, I tried to change how I talk because I didn't want to be called that." He said although the pride was evident on his face.

"Yes, my family has been heroes for generations. I'm the second son," lida explained, "Do you know the turbo hero, Ingenium? That's my older brother."

"I've heard about him." Shinsou nodded.

Deku gaped at lida, stars practically shining in his eyes. "He's a really popular hero who has sixty-five sidekicks working at his Tokyo agency,"

Shinsou sent a look her way at that observation. She shrugged unhelpfully in reply.

Gosh, this boy is obsessed.

"I wish to be just like him."

Uraraka smiled. "I'm sure you will be."

"However, I think it's still too soon for me to lead others." lida closed his eyes, stuck in his own thoughts.

"We'll be here to support you whenever you're ready." Deku reached to put a hand on lida's shoulder from across the table.

Suddenly, Uraraka's phone rung.

Wait, this never happened last time.

It was Neito!

"Sorry, excuse me." she put her hand on her phone to pardon herself.

"No problem," Deku replied. She took quick steps and looked around to make sure she was alone in the hall before replying to Neito.

"Yeah?' She asked. "How come you're calling me? You know the rush's about to start, right?'

"Yeah, um. There's a problem." Neito said, sounding slightly panicked.

"Oh, great. What is it?' She asked, her eyes drifting back to Deku and Te-lida talking.

"Koda's uncle just came in and made a scene and now he's disappeared. He won't answer any calls and-"

"What...?' Uraraka could vaguely remember Koda's disgusted expression at the mention of his uncle.

His uncle wasn't like him-his uncle wasn't a mutant type-but he was a shallow, greedy and cruel man. He treated Koda well for being in class 1-A but beat him for not even being shown on T.V during any of the incidents that happened with the league. It made no sense to most of class A, but Koda was too kind to get angry.

He believed publicity and money and popularity were everything.

They confronted the man for Koda, and he even ended up in jail for a while. If only because of lack of evidence. Koda's mother was a kind woman, the opposite of her brother-unfortunately, too kind and timid-and had been eternally grateful to them for protecting Koda as they had.

"But he didn't do this for class A? Isn't class B a hero class, too? Why's he mad?'

"I don't know. This is the first time I'm hearing about this! Which is a little offensive, but anyways. Oh god-"

He was cut off by a shrill alarm blaring, cutting through all of the students' conversations.

"There has been a level three security breach." A voice announced. Uraraka rushed back to her table.

"All students please evacuate."

"lida! Deku! Shinsou! Someone's trespassed on school grounds, so we should get moving!' She informed.

The three followed behind her. By the time she was in the hall, she saw the doorway was crowded, people pushing and shoving to get into the hall and out of the cafeteria. Uraraka stood a little way back, letting lida and Deku pass her.

"As expected of the best of the best, they react quickly to a crisis," lida commented randomly and Uraraka sent him a glare, but of course, he didn't notice.

"Well, th-they're so quick, they've caused a panic," Deku voiced her thoughts.

lida was close to the window, but he didn't seem to notice. Uraraka knew she shouldn't be impatient, but she wanted to solve the mess with Koda's uncle. Plus, this couldn't have any consequences, right?

"lida, look out the window!' she yelled to the said boy.

His eyes widened. "Ah, yes. Who on Earth would have trespassed-It's simply the press!' lida realised.

"There is no reason to panic, everyone!' lida screamed loudly, but no one heard him over the noise. People started pushing even more aggressively, pressing his face against the glass.

No one's noticed the media. Except for Uraraka, perhaps.

He wasn't sure if she'd meant he should see whether it was villains or not, or whether she'd also assumed it was villains and wanted to know if they were a big threat.

He saw her, being pushed around by a sea of students. She didn't look quite as panicked-so he assumed she'd also figured it wasn't villains-looking more annoyed than anything.

He slid himself forward, pushing against the glass. Slowly, he made his way towards her.

What would Midoriya, or my brother, do in this situation...?

His glasses were nearly knocked off, but he didn't reach for them even as they lay askew across his nose.

"Uraraka!' He called out to her, reaching his hands out, but she wasn't looking at him. In fact, she was looking at someone else, a determined look on her face. She was moving away from him and he could feel himself slightly panic. He couldn't see her properly, or hear her, but he caught her lips moving. She was talking to someone!

Someone was pushed towards his reaching arm, pushing it away. He caught the girl before she could hit the floor.

"Momo?' He exclaimed, surprised. "Are you alright?'

"Yes," she huffed, removing the wrinkles in her blazer. "Everyone's panicking. It's simply the media."

"You saw them, too?'

"Asui and I were together, but we got separated. Someone pointed out it wasn't villains, so I checked and they were right. I have been attempting to calm everyone down, but they're too loud. I didn't finish my lunch, but I was going to try and create a megaphone." She explained.

"I have an idea." lida said. "I'll take their attention. Once I've calmed them, please, make everyone go into single files so we can all get back to the lunch without any more chaos."

Momo nodded, determined.

He glanced around, wildly, searching for the brunette gravity manipulator. He was surprised to see she was closer than before. Whatever she needed to say to someone, she must've said it and been pushed back. Well, this should work in his favour.

"URARAKA!' he said, over the hundred other voices. The girl turned her eyes to him, seeing his hand. Slowly, she started to reach as well.

"Make me float." He took a breath. Their hands connected briefly before she was pulled back by the throng.

I need to go somewhere everyone can see me.

He used his engines and rushed forward. In his head, he'd imagined flying straight to where the exit sign was, and hanging off of the pipe. It was a lot more regal and composed in his mind.

Instead, he spun a bit, and the pipe was close to the exit sign which he was standing on. That made his weirdly bent position extremely awkward. Still, he ignored it all to call to everyone.

Clear, concise and bold.

"Everyone, calm down! It's simply the media. Let us act as is befitting of the best of the best!' His words may not necessarily have affected everyone the way he wanted, but everyone still halted long enough to look out the windows and notice the media, pros and heroes.

"Please, get into lines so we can go back in an orderly fashion," Momo called with the megaphone she'd manage to create. "This is U.A! Let us prove we are truly students of this prestigious institution."

People listened to her-which lida was glad for, because she had a kind of authority he couldn't replicate no matter how hard he tried.

Kirishima and Kaminari, who'd actually seen the media and had been trying to convince people to 'chill', smiled in relief.

Well, Kirishima had seen them and Kaminari had simply believed him.

Most people went back to finish their lunch since there were ten minutes of break left.

"Where are you going?' Deku asked, as soon as he noticed Uraraka leaving.

"Are you not going to eat? That's not very healthy," lida added.

"I'm sorry. An emergency came up." Uraraka bowed, "Do you think you could cover for me?'

"I do not approve of you skipping class." lida said, sternly.

"It's really important."

Before lida could say anything, Shinsou cut in,

"We'll do it."

"Thanks. I owe you." She smiled, rushing away.

"Neito!' She called.

She noticed Kendo was with him.

"Oh, who's that?' Kendo asked. Their relationship actually seemed civil, which she thought was probably because Monoma wasn't a huge jerk this time around.

Which she really appreciated because she doubted working with young-past?-Neito would've been very fun. Okay, so that was harsh. Past Monoma could be decent, but he was almost always comparing people and was extremely arrogant. She didn't doubt this Monoma didn't compare, judge or have an ego, but he restrained himself.

He'd let his insecurities show, so she knew his doubts were more prominent.

"Hi. I'm Uraraka Ochako, Neito's childhood friend and go-to fire brigade." She chuckled. "I've heard there's a missing student?'

"You never mentioned her. How rude of you, Monoma. And yes. I'm not sure how it affects you, but I'd be thankful for your help," Kendo smiled brightly, offering her hand for a handshake.

Uraraka quickly shook it. "Are you sure your teacher's okay with you both being out of class like this?'

"We're class reps, so we've been given permission. What about you?'

Oh. Being class rep did have its perks, she supposed-should she be disappointed she'll be missing the opportunity? "My friend said he'll cover. I want to help,"

Kendo watched her for a second, before nodding in determination. "That's really appreciated."

"Do you know where he could be?' Neito whispered in her ear.

"He likes animals. Have you checked outside?' She whispered back.

"Yes. Everywhere in U.A. He's not here. Even Ground Omega."

"I think..." Uraraka licked her lips, staring hard at the wall.

Where would she go, if she had an abusive uncle?

"Why did he hide away, anyway?'

"He hates violence. Which, I assume, is what you meant knowing his uncle and your teacher." She said. Before she could get a reply, she noticed a flash of green. She turned to see Ibara Shiozaki making her way to them. "I got permission to help," She explained.

Kendo rushed to Ibara and Uraraka introduced herself to the greenette as well.

"His favourite thing is nature, but if he's not in Ground Omega..." She trailed off to herself. "Wait a second, what about the woods? They're still technically on school grounds, right?'

"I thought we determined he left school?' Neito said when she went back on her own assumption.

"Listen, he wouldn't want us to worry, but...he'll be somewhere he can be found, he's too nice to genuinely do something like that. I just know it."

"And if you're wrong?'

"Then, it'll be my time I'm wasting," She smirked. "Unless you wanna accompany your dear old childhood friend?'

He dragged a hand from his forehead to his eye in a dramatic gesture of exasperation. "Fine, Miss fire-brigade."

"Those guys don't even have a job." Uraraka rolled her eyes. "Pro-heroes put out the fires."

"I told you he wasn't here," Neito said, shoving her off the roots she'd used as a makeshift stool to sit on.

"Oof-hey! He has to be." She growled, riled up. "He hid here whenever he was mad."

"And how often was he mad?' Neito raised a brow.

"Admittedly, not much," Before Neito could mock her for that, she added, "but this forest has places to hide."

"Ugh, why do I still go along with you?' He groaned, throwing his hands up.

She shrugged. "Cuz you know I'm smart. See that mini mountain? There's a cave there."

"We checked it."

"It has a waterfall behind it."

"So? We checked that, too."

"Neito?'

"Yes?'

"Do you not watch movies? I thought I was the poor one."

"What happens in movies," Neito began, breaking a twig for emphasis on the word 'happens', "stays in movies, Ochako."

Uraraka smacked him-with four fingers, mind you-playfully.

She tapped herself and floated out of his reach before he could retaliate.

"Just for that, you can float yourself, mister." She poked her tongue out at him.

"Real mature," he spat, tapping himself as well.

Almost as soon as he lifted off the ground, his stomach got upset.

"What the hell." He groaned.

"It's not a long way up," Uraraka called sweetly. "Guess what I found?'

"No way."

"Yes way. There's a hidden cave here."

"You dirty liar."

"Nope. I'm going in now."

"Wait for me!' he scrambled after her, swallowing back the disgusting bile climbing up his throat as he pushed himself to float the short way to the ledge near the water.

Okay, so there was a ledge. He should've guessed there would be a cave.

"I thought you were the smart one-whoa..." She trailed off.

"I swear to God, if there're crystals or something stuck to the roof of the cave, I'm gonna dive into the waterfall," Neito grumbled. Uraraka noted he did watch movies.

"No, but, look. It's huge." Uraraka said in awe.

"Yeah, it's pretty big. It's in the mountain, right? It must go in really deep."

"That came out-" Uraraka snickered, even as he cut her off.

"Be quiet," He gave her the side-eye. "Koda? Are you here?' He cried to the cave, his voice echoing.

"Of course he is. He's just super quiet."

"I bet he's not," Neito said, condescendingly. "You said it yourself; I'm the smart one."

She flipped him off. "Koda?! Please reply if you're here!'

Neito was surprised to hear shuffling.

From the corner near the back of the cave, a huge figure made its way to them.

"Hi, Monoma," the guy rubbed his neck.

"So this is where you were hiding?!' Neito shrieked. "We've looked everywhere for you!'

"I-I'm sorry."

"Hey, back off. You must've assumed the faculty members knew about this place, huh?' Uraraka smiled tenderly.

Koda nodded sheepishly.

"Listen, Ground Omega was created for student use, but this place's natural. It's used, but it wasn't created for that purpose. It just happened to be on school grounds, so it's pretty unlikely they know every nook and cranny. You just happened to find a place they didn't already know about."

"Okay, so maybe you're smarter than me." Neito said after he heard her explain.

Uraraka's eyes widened. "Did you just compliment me?' She laughed. "This is a historic moment, Koda, keep it in your memory."

She was glad to hear the other boy laugh at her comment if only a little.

"I get that you're scared but you were here alone for a while. Are you okay?' Neito stepped up-stepping on her toe, that bastard-and put a hand on Koda's shoulder.

"Yeah, you can talk to friends when you need them," Uraraka added, seriously, "and Neito and I are definitely your friends so come talk to us next time!'

"You need to stand up to your uncle, Koda. Tell him he can't push you around anymore, and the school will take care of the rest."

She may have ruined Koda's chances at exponential growth by putting him in class B (not that class B was bad or anything) but she could help in any way possible otherwise.

She tapped him and Neito gently.

"Alright, it's time to face the music." Neito smiled-wow, she wasn't sure if she'd ever seen him smile so genuinely. But she supposed the rivalry between class A and class B was the last thing on his mind now (plus Koda was B, now, she supposed)

He pulled out his phone and started typing, his fingers flying over the glowing screen.

"Alright, I texted Kendo. She's telling Mr Sekijiro." Neito put his phone back into his pocket.

"Thanks for helping me find the big guy." Neito sent a smile to Koda to let him know he wasn't mad.

"No problem. It was my pleasure." She stepped closer to Neito. "Really."

"T-thanks," Koda said, blushing in embarrassment and, hopefully, appreciation.

"Don't let our hard work go to waste, okay? You better show your uncle how strong you are, okay?' She grabbed his hands and shook it. "Now, we've shaken on it so you have to."

"Classes are almost over, anyway. Plus, you and I have a lot to talk about," Neito pursed his lips at Uraraka.

"Koda. You should head to the principal's office. Nezu wants to talk to you." The blonde turned to the boy to inform him of Kendo's recent text.

Koda nodded, sweating.

why is he sweating-

Neito and Uraraka thought simultaneously.

Uraraka floated herself and the duo down, and split off from Koda, heading to cafeteria-which Neito said was empty-with Neito.

"Alright. Let's talk."