I own nothing but my original characters and their backgrounds.

chapter eleven:

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yellow lilies (symbolize) falsehood

Ibara held onto the bucket handle, forest green eyes flickering with curiosity as she silently took in the streaks of oil across the marble floor. Her gaze rose upwards, brows quirking in amusement as she shuffled closer.

A few weeks of working here, she had noticed how particularly sharp Ayane's hearing was. Those pointy ears perking up whenever there was the faintest ring of a bell from the shop's entrance. The chime was something Ibara couldn't hear, but she would observe how Ayane would scramble up from the flower bed they were attending to, patting dirt smudged hands on her apron.

Quite green eyes would track the bob of that messy orange ponytail as Ayane sped out of the nursery with a loud: "I'll be right there!"

Then there would be times when Ayane sometimes abruptly stood up in alarm and she would take off, disappearing from the nursery. Ibara would hear the loud and quick thump thump thump of feet as Ayane bolted up the stairs.

"Papa calls me," Ayane explained one day, tapping a chewed nail on the marble counter with a faint grin. "He just has to tap twice for it."

It was interesting.

Ibara took a few steps forward, gracefully toeing around the scattered nuts and bolts. The bucket clacked against her knees and she stopped, curiously peering ahead.

"What are you doing?"

Her movements caught the other's attention, and Ayane shifted, seated cross legged on the floor. Fingers drenched with sticky black oil, Ayane tugged out the headphones from her ears. That explains it.

"You good?" Crimson eyes dipped towards the bucket Ibara held.

Ibara stepped in closer. "May I ask how you got this?"

A bicycle. An old, rusty bicycle with its carrier hanging loose stood leaning against the wall of the nursery.

"Oh, this?" Ayane turned back, fishing within the toolbox set beside her. "Someone left it by the dumpster."

Ibara blinked slowly, her brows knitting together. "A dumpster?"

"Yeah."

"And might I ask what do you plan on doing with this?"

"Well, duh, I'm gonna use it." Ayane answered, rolling her eyes as she plucked out a wrench from the toolbox. "But I gotta fix it up first."

"... of course." Ibara carried the bucket to a garbage can, lifting and throwing away all the weeds she had just plucked out from the marigold bed.

Her gaze skittered back to the head of orange locks and Ibara clasped her arms behind her back, stalking closer till she was looming behind the other girl. A few minutes of silence passed, the sounds of metal scraping and the toolbox being searched through filling the air.

"I got admitted into Yuuei."

The wrench in her oily hand almost slipping, Ayane twisted around and met the calm smile on Ibara's face. Ayane shifted slightly, placing the wrench away and offering a bright grin. "Wow, congratulations."

"Thank you," Ibara hummed, inching a little closer. "It is by the grace of God did I even pass the entrance exam."

Ayane rolled her eyes, wiping at her cheek before frowning when the oil stained across her skin.

Ibara watched her calmly. "And congratulations to you as well, Shizu-san."

Ayane frowned. "I think I told you not to call me that."

"Sorry, Aya-san." Ibara corrected. Ayane rolled her eyes again. "You really don't have to be so formal—"

"Your mother is very happy." Ibara continued, Ayane growing silent as Ibara clasped her hands together. "The shine in Shizu-san's eyes! I don't think I've ever seen her this happy."

"You've only been here a few weeks." Ayane mumbled, dragging the toolbox closer to her and picking out a screwdriver. "How'd you even know when was the last time she was this happy?"

"That is quite true." Ibara hummed thoughtfully. "Though you can say that your parents are quite proud of you, yes?"

Fingers tensed around the screwdriver. Ayane sucked in her bottom lip as she nodded firmly before grabbing a bolt. Her thumb trailed across the sharp metal surface, eyelids drooping slightly.

"Real proud alright."

A minute of silence passed between them. Ayane examined the bolt between her fingers while Ibara stood quietly, hands clasped behind her back.

"You think we're gonna be in the same class?" Ayane said absently, thumbing the bolt.

A smile tugging her lips, Ibara sat down on her knees. "Would you like to be classmates?"

"...I like having people I know around me." Ayane admitted, rolling the bolt between her fingers then letting it drop on the tiles with a loud clatter. "I like to stick with them rather than strangers."

Mossy green eyes softening, Ibara picked up the fallen bolt. "Then I pray we get to be classmates."

Ayane laughed, hand clasping down on a wrench when Ibara gazed up, eying the bicycle critically. "Is this even safe, Aya-san?"

"Don't call me that," Ayane chided with a huff, leaning ahead on her knees.

Ayane smirked proudly, slapping an oily hand on the worn out tire.

"This baby is good as new!"

A handle broke, limping briefly and clattering onto the floor. Silence befilled the room, a sound suspiciously sounding like a snort escaping Ibara's lips as she pressed a hand to her mouth, the corner of her eyes crinkling in amusement.

"Hey!" Ayane said defensively, snatching up the broken handle. "I can fix this!"

"Of course, you can." Ibara smirked subtly.

"I-Well, yeah, I can!"

"I never doubted you, Aya-san."

"Call me that again and I'll hit you with this."

A pause, then another giggle. "Did you just threaten me with a wrench?"

"... shut up."

Izuku had never considered himself getting injured by a bicycle. What were the possibilities of that happening anyway? A random bicycle slamming into his side and sending him crashing face first into the sidewalk. Not something he was expecting when he woke up this morning, remembering All Might's words from last night—

Your Hero Academia.

Someone neared him, a familiar voice filling his ears. "Izu-kun?"

Izuku groaned, laid out on his face with his butt up in the air. There was a presence beside him, and he rose with wobbly limbs, spewing out a mouthful of dust and dirt left on the pavement.

A hand patted his back, then slid to his chest and dusted off the patches of dust clinging to his uniform.

"I'm fine, Ayacchan." Izuku rubbed his forehead, wincing when he accidentally prodded a blooming bruise. "Really. I'm fine." Nothing compared to breaking my bones anyway.

"You sure?" Ayane asked worriedly. "I can carry yo—"

"Where'd you get that?" Izuku interrupted quickly. There's a flash of a memory behind his eyes, bruised and aching limbs weighing him down. Hot tears stinging his eyes as he wept softly, the body beneath him urging forward with slow, unbalanced steps. A kind voice curled around his ears. "I'm here for you." I'm sorry for not being strong.

Ayane puffed her chest out proudly, flashing a bright smile as she patted the bicycle's handles. "I found it near a dumpster."

Izuku stared flatly, dumbfounded. "...dumpster?"

"Yeah!" Ayane beamed, fingers curving around the handles. Izuku noted how one of the handles quivered threateningly. "I fixed it up~"

"Is that safe?" He asked, concern lacing his tone.

Ayane rolled her eyes. "Psh, of course, it is!"

Izuku looked on at the trembling tires. "Ayacchan, maybe you should get off—"

"Hop on!" Ayane reeled the bicycle closer.

Izuku blinked dumbly. "Wh-what?"

"I said get on!" Ayane repeated, feet propped on the ground as she leaned back on her seat. Her eyes twinkled in excitement. "I can get us to school!"

Izuku mulled over her words, brows creased as he took in the awful shape of the bicycle she was sitting on. A number of scenarios on how this could prove lethal for them popped in his mind, and he swayed where he stood, opening his mouth once, only to clamp it shut again.

"Okay."

I trust you.

A soft smile touched his face as Ayane beamed at him, his feet naturally taking him around the bicycle before he seated himself.

The bicycle dipped beneath them slightly once he sat down on the back seat, shrugging up his bright yellow backpack. His toes brushed against the ground as he nodded at the head of auburn locks before him.

"We can go now—ah!"

Izuku floundered momentarily, gripping the curved edge of the seat under him when Ayane kicked the ground. They steered forward, a jerk hitting them as the front wheel landed on the cemented road. His grip tightened even more when another mini tremor hit them, both wheels now on the road and Ayand pushed down on the pedals easily, a smile tugging their lips as they sailed forward.

Cars began racing by them, Izuku watching in mild fascination as they slipped between the traffic of the Musutafu roads.

Ayane continued on peddling, smugness in her voice. "Still scared?"

Izuku flushed faintly, glancing sideways. "I-I wasn't scared."

"'Course, you weren't~"

Izuku leaned back, head craning backwards till his eyes met the vast expanse of the sky. Milky white clouds spotted the light shade of blue, the spring air soft and warm as it teased through his fluffy green locks. His eyelids slid shut, listening to the random chatter of strangers thronging along the sidewalk. His fingers loosened around the cool metal of the seater. I can never be scared of you.

"Izu-kun."

Izuku blinked up at the sky, feeling the air slide a little faster past his ears. "Yes, Ayacchan?"

"Grab hold."

His brows furrowed, confusion evident on his face. A chill slid down his spine when the bicycle picked up speed.

Ayane cackled, and Izuku paled visibly, yelping as he was jerked forward.

"A-Ayacchan!"

Ayane slammed her feet down on the pedals, leaning ahead and threading them through the heavy traffic swiftly. Quivering hands grabbed onto her shoulders, the same scent of fear encircling her and she laughed heartily.

"S-Slow down!" Izuku's eyes bulged out of his sockets, fingers digging into her shoulders while the cycle raced ahead.

"Don't worry," she laughed over the air rushing past their ears.

"I got you!"

Hand sliding across the cool metal lockers, a skip in her step as Ayane hummed, fingers dragging along the lockers playfully as she walked.

Crimson eyes peeked back, a slow smirk curling her lips. "Thank you for choosing Shizu airlines~"

"I think I saw my life flash before my eyes." Izuku staggered in his steps, leaning against the lockers.

Ayane paused briefly, letting him catch up to her. "Why are they calling us to the principal's office anyway?"

Izuku fell in step with her, thumbing the yellow straps of his backpack as his brows scrunched in thought. "Uh, not sure—"

"Outta my way, nerd!"

A shoulder shoved into him roughly. Izuku stumbled sideways in surprise, fear flashing through his eyes as he quickly clenched the bunny keychain hanging off the bag before him. Ayane scowled at the gentle tug, pleading eyes gazing back at her.

Her hands balled into fists, and Ayane glowered at the head of ash blond locks. "Watch where you're going, asshole."

"Hahh?!" Bakugou twisted around, hands in his pocket as he sneered. "You talking to me, cat face?!"

"Did those explosions finally make you deaf—"

"Please let's not fight when we're on our way to the principal's office." Izuku muttered helplessly.

He flinched when blood-slanted eyes pinned him with a heated glare, a scowl etched on Bakugou's face as he pulled out a hand. Sparks flew threateningly off his palm. Ayane frowned when Izuku shuffled back slightly.

Bakugou tutted, cursing as he lumbered forward.

A smirk curling her lips, Ayane quickened her pace abruptly. Izuku tensed, following after her with hurried steps.

Bakugou narrowed his eyes dangerously as she caught up to him. "Oi, walk behind me—"

Izuku blinked as a calloused hand clamped around his wrist, yelping when Ayane tugged him forward suddenly. With a skip, Ayane slammed against Bakugou's arm forcefully, sending him tumbling over his own feet before he braced against the lockers in bewilderment.

A look of horror crept over Izuku's face while Ayane cackled, squeezing his hand gently. "Let's go!"

Ayane took off sprinting, Izuku stumbling behind her as he was pulled forward against his will.

It took a second for realization to dawn on him. Smoke wafted off his palms, a visible vein popping on his temple and Bakugou's roar echoed through the halls.

"You both are so fucking DEAD!"

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Ayane came to a screeching hall before the door, ponytail whipping to the side as she knocked her knuckles against the wood. Trembling fingers gripped onto her keychain again, and she spared a glance over her shoulder.

Izuku had all the color drained out from his face as he grimaced. "We're going to die today."

"You said the same thing when we crossed that truck."

"Th-that 'cause you didn't slow down when we crossed it!"

"Oh?" Ayane hummed, ignoring the screaming death threats gradually nearing them. "That's 'cause the bicycle's brakes don't work yet."

"Wh-wh-what?!"

Someone called out with an approval from within the room. Ayane slid the door open, fingers catching around Izuku's elbow— he felt a little bulkier— and pushed him in first before she closed the door behind them. Izuku staggered slightly but found his balance.

Both of them paused on feeling a set of eyes set on them. Izuku immediately bent into a bow, arms stiff at his sides. "G-Good morning, sir!"

Ayane offered a curt bow as well. "Morning, principal-san!"

The principal arched a brow, noting them with a slow nod. "I believe Bakugou was called as well?"

Izuku stiffened even more, muttering multiple sentences under his breath. Color drained from his face when there was an abrupt knock on the door. Ayane turned absently, sliding aside the door handle to reveal a pair of dark crimson eyes.

Bakugou glowered down at her murderously.

Ayane quickly slid the door shut once more.

But a foot kicked out, lodging itself in the door frame before the door was swept aside. Bakugou barged in, fingers digging into the collars of Ayane's shirt before she was lifted up violently.

Bakugou snarled in her face. "I am going to fucking kill you!"

Ayane stuck her tongue out childishly. "That's what you get for hitting, Izu-kun."

Bakugou gritted his teeth, left eye twitching in irritation as explosions sizzled out his clenched fist.

"Bakugou," the principal deadpanned from his seat, massaging his temples. "Please put Shizu down. I'm in no mood for dealing with you both fighting again."

With a seething growl, Bakugou shoved Ayane back. A frown on her face, Ayane smoothed out her wrinkled shirt. Izuku glanced between them worriedly, bottom lip trapped between his teeth when the principal sighed once more and they all turned towards the older man.

"Alright, so can I just say," The principal began, tapping a hand onto the files splayed out on the table. He looked up at them and smiled good naturedly.

"I cannot believe three of my school's students got into Yuuei."

Ayane stared, brows knitting in confusion while Bakugou made a perplexed, angry "hah?!" sound. Izuku held his breath, muscles tensing once more.

The principal continued on causally. "I was expecting from Bakugou of course. He's always had a wonderful Quirk."

His gaze flickered to Ayane, a look of surprise in his eyes. "Though I was a little surprised to hear Shizu applying for one of the recommendations post as well— which she got too. Your father does have a good name but you never really showed interest in the hero line."

"It was a quick decision actually." Ayane gave a tight smile, ignoring how Bakugou's stare bored holes into her head.

The principal nodded in understanding, finally focusing on the fidgeting boy standing between the other two. "But Midoriya Izuku!"

Izuku fiddled with his thumbs, eyes downcast and lip between his teeth as the principal awarded him with a stunned look. "I was simply shocked to hear that you got accepted in Yuuei too!"

His ears poking out from the tufts of curly green hair burnt red as Izuku nodded stiffly, shrinking under the sudden pair of stares pinning him down with stunned silence.

Ayane paused, brows creasing further as she watched Izuku squirm visibly. Bakugou's lips parted for a second, eyes blown wide and he shut his mouth instantly.

The principal droned on, talking about school paperwork and showering them with praise and wishes of good luck. Time ticked by, a solid thirty minutes passing along in which they continued to stand silent. Izuku kept his eyes on the floor, growing smaller and smaller under the quiet stares fixed on his head. He wished for the floor to swallow him whole.

Once the sliding door hid away the principal's gleeful expressions, Izuku found himself being slammed back against the lockers. Emerald eyes trembled with fear, and Bakugou dug a shaking hand into his shirt.

"You worthless piece of shit!" Bakugou hissed, tugging Izuku just closer only to slam him back again. "What nasty trick did you pull to pass the entrance exam?!"

"K-Kacchan—"

"Let. Him. Go."

A hand clasped onto his wrist. Bakugou's gaze snapped sideways, jaw clenching to meet Ayane's annoyed scowl.

"I haven't forgotten about your dog yet, Deku." Bakugou sneered, scowling as the hold on his wrist tightened painfully. A growl rumbling out of her throat, Ayane fingers dug into the pale wrist as if to break—

Bakugou blinked once, then twice. Nimble fingers curled around his wrist, trembling but staying there firmly. Ayane paused as well because Izuku gazed back silently, lips pressed into a line as he pushed away at the hand pinning him against the lockers.

"S-Someone told me that I can be a hero." Izuku spoke solemnly, swallowing down the fear and hardening his glare. "That I earned it!"

Someone? Ayane dropped her hand, curiously looking on as Izuku continued sternly. "So… so… I'm going to Yuuei!"

Bakugou stared flatly.

With a grimace, he withdrew his arm. The blond clicked his tongue in annoyance as Izuku nervously patted his shirt, and Bakugou shifted, back slouched and hand in his pockets. "Oi, cat face."

Ayane gazed back challengingly, alert and ready to strike. Bakugou let out a snort, a slow smirk curling his lips as he cocked his head to the side. "Heard your old man jumped off a bridge."

Izuku watched worriedly as Ayane set the ash blond with a withering look, jaw tightening as she bit out. "He didn't jump. It was an accident."

"Of fucking course."

Ayane scowled. "You tryna say something, asshole?"

"You're even shittier than Deku, you know." Bakugou tipped his head forward, a menacing grin tugging his lips as he stared down in the pools of red glaring up at him. Waiting, challenging, daring him to continue. "Just so fucking stupid it's not even funny."

Ayane stood firmly, fingers already sharpening into talons as Bakugou towered over her, blood red eyes promising to swallow her whole.

Bakugou sneered. "'Cause all it took was just one jump to get you back on your fucking leash."

A hand snapped out, latching onto his throat and tugging him closer. Jagged fingertips dug slightly, piercing the skin. Blood dribbled down his neck, disappearing under the black uniform.

"A-Ayacchan!"

Ayane pressed harder against the Adam's apple under her grasp.

"Wanna repeat that?" She said quietly.

Air thick with the scent of blood and smoke, Bakugou awarded her with a cocky smirk. Explosions denoted off his palms threateningly. He could feel the warmth of his blood seeping into his shirt.

"You are pretty fucking dense so sure." Bakugou cracked a ferocious grin. "So newsflash for you, cat face."

A sputtering hand clasped around her wrist, fingers scorching the skin under and Ayane's scowl deepened as Bakugou set her with a menacing glower.

"Your old man is one manipulative motherfucker—"

His head slammed back into the lockers, his tenacious grip tightening on her wrist instinctively. A loud, blaring explosion echoed off through the halls, the smell of smoke and burnt flesh mixing into the air.

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I should've crushed his windpipe. A frown marring her face, Ayane sat on the edge of the bed. Her nose wrinkled because of the phenyl that lingered in the air, a prick of chemicals and medicines. The nurse's office reminded her of hospitals.

She hated hospitals.

"You shouldn't let Kacchan rile you up." Ayane noted how Izuku fumbled with the bandages, dressing the burn on her wrist with deft fingers. There was a crease in his brow, eyes focused on her arm as he kept on muttering under his breath.

She caught some of his mumbling words, listening with only half attention as he went on under his breath. "It's not good for you or Kacchan to fight. Not when you're both going to Yuuei."

I wish I could be like you. Her fingers gripped the curve of the bed beneath her, gaze dipping to the pair of hands working around her wrist. Soft, slender fingers wrapping gauze around the burnt patch. Hands that could never hurt anyone. Only made to be protected and cared for.

Ayane loosened her grip, a forlorn look touching her features. Then maybe they wouldn't make me do this.

"There!"

Izuku smiled at his handiwork. Clicking the first aid box shut, he moved to put it away. "I hope it won't scar—"

"What did you mean by that?"

Izuku blinked, holding the box between his hands as Ayane leaned back on her palms. Scarlet eyes met mossy green, Izuku halting under the calculating stare.

"When you said 'someone' told you to be a hero?"

His hands went taut around the white box. Izuku inhaled softly, gazing back into the stern stare. "I… I have something to tell you."

Ayane teetered ahead, elbows falling atop her knees as she waited patiently.

"I…" Izuku chewed the insides of his cheeks, focusing on the ground. "I've been meaning to tell you this for a long time, Ayacchan."

Ayane watched carefully, eyes flickering as she sat with an air of calmness.

A second passed, then another. Her ears vibrated with the sound of the wall clock ticking away. Ayane grasped her knees, breath suddenly stuck between her lungs.

Is he, she perked up, eyes sparkling in anticipation. Warmth crept up her neck. Is he finally going to confe—

"I… have a Quirk!"

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Izuku clamped his mouth shut, burning a bright red on shouting out his secret. He glanced around swiftly, examining the empty nurse office to make sure there was no passerby. Izuku held onto the first aid box tight, swallowing and turning ahead with a baited breath.

Ayane pursed her lips, brows furrowing. Izuku felt his heart hammer against his ribcage as he clenched the sides of the box tightly.

Please don't hate me—

"Okay."

Izuku blinked, stupefied while Ayane shrugged, swinging her legs idly. She tilted her head. "What kinda Quirk is it though?"

"Ah… ah." The invisible weight on his shoulders dissipated. Izuku offered a soft smile. "It-It's kinda like strength augmentation?"

"Super strength?" Ayane mused.

Izuku bobbed his head in agreement, the smile on his face widening because she really, really did believe in him and she wasn't mad. Thank All Might—

"No flight Quirk, huh?" Ayane pouted, crossing one leg over the other as a look of amusement touched her face. "Sad. I was hoping we could go for a trip around the clouds."

...What.

Izuku worried his bottom lip, grip tightening on the first aid box once more. "Ayacchan, I'm not joking."

"Sure, you're not." Ayane nodded, hopping onto her feet. She examined the bandages wrapped around her wrist. "You have a Quirk that's just like All Might—"

Ayane didn't catch him flinching.

She picked at the dressing. "— which is pretty cool for an All Might fanboy."

His feet moved automatically, Izuku halting right before her. Ayane glanced back at him, arching a brow and he spoke despite the knot in his throat. "I… I really do have a Quirk now!"

A hand settled over his forehead, palm rough against his skin— why are your hands so rough?— Izuku blinking rapidly as Ayane offered him a worried look, palm gently pressing beneath his wild green hair.

"Did Katsuki hit you on the head or something?"

"N-No!" Izuku jerked his face away, stepping back and looking at her with desperation. "Ayacchan, this isn't a joke. I really do have a Quirk! That's how I passed the entrance exam!"

"Yeah, yeah, I know." Ayane nodded her head, reaching forward and taking his arm as she guided him towards the bed. "Maybe I should check for some head bumps—"

"Ayacchan!"

Izuku ripped away from her hold, holding the first aid box as if it were a lifeline. Desperate, pleading eyes swivelled towards her, and Izuku grimaced.

"I really do have a Quirk." He said solemnly.

Ayane awarded him with a dissecting look. Silence descended on them for a few seconds before Ayane sighed heavily. "Alright, since you're so insistent on having a Quirk—"

"But I really do have a Quirk—" Izuku protested.

"—why don't you show it to me?"

Izuku paused, eyes flaring up in surprise. "What?"

Arms sliding into a cross under her chest, Ayane bobbed her head towards the first aid box in his hold. "Go ahead. Break it with your hands."

Izuku wet his lip. "It-it's not that e-easy!"

"What do you mean by that?" Ayane frowned. "If you have a strength augmentation Quirk, you can make that box a pancake."

"I-I can't."

"Why not?"

"'Cause I still haven't mastered this Quirk!" Izuku blurted out, wincing because of the pitch of his own voice. He looked around the room once more, Ayane quirking a brow when he sighed in relief.

"Look," Izuku stared down at his feet, shoulders slumped. "I can't use this Quirk without hurting myself yet but when I do…"

Mossy green eyes lifted, meeting crimson red. Izuku straightened his spine and his gaze grew soft. "I hope you'll be there to support me."

Ayane watched him silently. She took a few steps closer, hand reaching out once more. A knowing smirk curled her lips when Izuku flushed, his eyelids sliding shut as she carded her fingers through his hair.

"Sure," Ayane patted his head, a giggle leaving her lips when he pouted under her touch.

"I'm always here to support you, Izu-kun."

Empty.

Chairs, desks and colorful school bags gazed silently back at her. Ayane sidled into the room, sliding the gigantic door shut behind her as she shuffled deeper into the classroom. She skipped past the filled seats, gaze wandering searchingly over the multiple bags.

Where are you— Ayane stopped, standing beside the bright yellow bag. Her brows scrunched together on finding all the seats around it already filled.

"No," she grumbled.

Ayane glanced around the empty classroom. Sliding her school bag off one shoulder, she lifted the scorched bag from the chair infront of the yellow one—

The door hissed open, and Bakugou's bag fell back onto the chair with a loud thud.

"What do you think you're doing?!"

Ayane whirled around, her own bag knocking against her hip as a tall boy zoomed in on her.

Tall stature, blue hair, the glasses perched on his nose gleaming as he grimaced down at her. "To be late on your first day, how shameful for a Yuuei student!"

Ayane inched back from his hands chopping the air robotically. An amused look graced her features when his hand froze right before her face.

"...right." Ayane gently pushed his pointing fingers away. She clutched her school bag, arm stretching towards Bakugou's bag again. "I wanna sit here so—"

Her fingers had barely skimmed the fabric when the boy swatted her hand away.

Ayane's eyes widened, clutching her hand while the boy pushed his glasses further up his nose. He tutted. "And now you are taking away a classmate's seat!"

"Look, I'm not—ugh!" Ayane set him with an annoyed look. "Aren't you supposed to be in the welcoming ceremony or something?"

Ayane backed away from another karate chop as the boy began once more. "Aizawa-sensei saw you from the corridors so he sent me to fetch you for the apprehension test—"

"Did you just say test?" Ayane frowned.

Tests on the first day of school were never good. The boy nodded his head vigorously. "It's quite rude to interrupt while one is talking but yes a test is being held in the P.E grounds—"

Ayane snatched up the bag from the seat behind Izuku's, quickly replacing it with hers. The boy began his scolding once more but Ayane skidded ahead, throwing the purple bag on an empty chair as she flung the door open.

The perplexed gaze on her back, Ayane stepped out in the corridor.

"Y'know," she mused innocently. "You're the one who's gonna be in trouble if I end down there quicker than you."

"Impossible! You must change into your school tracksuit firs—"

Ayane slammed the door shut.

"Damn," she grumbled, rubbing her ears.

"Is everyone here gonna be this noisy?"

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Test on the first day of school had to be a bad omen. Then again, being late on the first day of school wasn't something good as well. But she was mostly late to school anyway. When you had to water the irises at the crack of dawn, cook breakfast, iron clothes, wash the dishes— so many trivial chores that ended up taking so much time, getting a tad bit late was unavoidable.

Her middle school teachers chewed her out at first, but then grew unbothered. Whether it was due to her father's post or how she never changed her late routine, what mattered to her in the end was that they accepted it.

Yuuei wouldn't be so different.

"You have ten seconds," Wavy black hair touched his shoulders, tired black eyes staring down at her in boredom, and the man lazily scratched the dark stubble on his chin.

"To give me a good reason why you should not be expelled on coming so late."

Or perhaps not.

Ayane jolted, blinking dumbly as Aizawa started counting. "Seven."

"Uh," she said unintelligibly.

This had to be a joke.

Aizawa carried on. "Three."

"Y-You're skipping seconds!"

He ignored her. "One."

"I'll take the cleaning duty for an entire week!" Ayane blurted quickly.

Sweat dribbled down her temple as the man hummed thoughtfully at her offer. "Make it two weeks."

"Yes, sensei!" Ayane dipped into a swift bow.

His gaze fixed on her bowing head, Aizawa shifted, jerking a thumb sideways. Ayane followed the notion, crimson eyes brightening on finding a head of curly green locks in the students scattered across the ground.

Ayane arched a brow, staring as Izuku stood nervously. The same boy from before, glasses and stiff motions standing at his right. A girl, short brown hair and bright pink cheeks set at his left.

Izu-kun, I'm here—

"You can start with the mobility test. If you come in last, I'll expel you."

Her gaze snapped towards Aizawa incredulously. He turned on his heel. "Get to it now."

Ayane watched his retreating back, then slowly made her way towards the running track. Ayane pouted, crouching down to take off her shoes.

"Stupid tests." Her bare feet touched the warm ground, the sand and earth biting into her skin. Ayane placed her sneakers aside. "Just let me see Izu-kun—"

"Hey, there~"

Ayane searched for the voice, brows knitting together in confusion when all her sight met were students engaged in their own tests. She glanced back to Izuku, a frown tugging her lips. Izu-kun!

"Hey, hey! Down here!"

Crimson eyes snapped downwards.

Drool dripping from the corner of his mouth, he wiped it away. His gaze darted from her face to her bare feet swiftly.

"I'm guessing you have a feet fetish or something," he ogled openly, pressing a hand against his mouth. "That's pretty hot."

Just what, Ayane stared flatly. Is this weird thing?

Aizawa's monotonous voice cut through the air. "Start!"

One foot planting firmly on the ground, Ayane pushed forward. Clouds of dust burst behind her, the boy accidentally inhaling and coughing as he scrambled after her.

Ayane sprinted, digging her heels into the ground once the machine dinged out her speed to be recorded. Ayane turned, gaze whizzing around searchingly for her friend when a familiar voice called out.

"Shizu-san!"

Ayane closed her eyes, sighing loudly.

"Hey."

Onyx eyes glittered, and Yaoyorozu stalked closer, delicate hands extending and clasping down on Ayane's in a friendly handshake. "I didn't see you earlier."

Yaoyorozu smiled kindly, squeezing the callused hands in her grasp. "I was beginning to think you may have been placed in class B instead."

"Yeah, I kinda ended up late." Ayane admitted sheepishly, peeking above the taller girl's shoulder.

"Late on your first day?" Yaoyorozu echoed in surprise. "Was it traffic? You could've called. I wouldn't mind picking you up…"

Familiar faces fell in line of sight, and Ayane paused, brows creasing when Todoroki spared her a stoic glance and Bakugou angrily mimed a throat slicing motion with his thumb. The purple headed boy finally caught up too, his breath unsteady from running. Ayane's ear twitched when he muttered a rather suggestive comment about her and Yaoyorozu's close proximity.

Aizawa kept droning on.

In the mess of people and voices around her, she simply peered at the mess of curly green locks too far away from her reach.

Damn it.

The universe worked in mysterious ways. All the people she wanted to avoid were in her class. Even the new faces Ayane had encountered now were absurd enough. The stiff glasses guy— Iida, as the machine had announced his name once he won the fifty metre dash with the engine in his legs. That vile purple midget— Ayane realized that she didn't even want to learn his name in all honesty.

Then there was Todoroki, the scar on his face causing her hands to twitch. How did you get that? It made her fingers itch towards the burnt spot hidden on her neck. Ayane recalled the ire in his tone as he spoke against his father, a frown curling her lips and making her mouth bitter. Disgusting.

Her homeroom teacher looked like he was on drugs so she didn't have much hope for him either.

Yaoyorozu was better. Sophisticated and intelligent but a little nervous. Her presence was at least proof that the rest of her classmates weren't completely insane.

(Ayane could swear that the belly lazer guy looked very nauseous while the long spindly arms one had tripped over his own tape.)

Ayane rolled her shoulders.

Everything would work out hopefully. What mattered most was that her parents were at ease. Nothing was more important than their comfort.

And Izuku was here too. Ayane watched him quietly as he scuttled over to the circle drawn on the field. His fingers taut around the ball in his hand.

I'm here for you. She gazed along as Izuku twitched nervously. Always here.

There were a flurry of thoughts in her mind when it came to him. Years spent by his side, the first peek of those startled emerald eyes when the butterfly net caught him in the nursery. Lies she decided to tell in the darkness of his room as he sobbed away; lies she couldn't hold onto for too long but he forgave her anyway.

Because Midoriya Izuku had a heart of gold. Always caring, and kind, and loving— not much like the certain sharp green eyes vivid in her memory from all the photo albums in her mother's drawer. But somehow, the very same as well.

You remind me so much of him.

"Move over."

A shoulder nudged her aside abruptly. Ayane shot a dull look, unamused when Bakugou sneered back challengingly.

"Can't believe I'm stuck in the same class as you and Deku," He complained, arms folding over his chest.

Ayane clasped her hands behind her back. "The feelings are mutual."

"Haah?!"

Bakugou Katsuki was just an added headache.

"Midoriya isn't in a good position." Iida said solemnly from his spot beside Bakugou.

"The fuck?" Bakugou snorted. Ayane wished she could turn her hearing off. "The wimp doesn't even have a Quirk!"

"Quirkless?!" Iida let out an incredulous sound. "Aren't you aware of what he did in the entrance exam?!"

"He saved someone, didn't he?" Ayane peered around Bakugou, the blond scowling down at her while Iida nodded affirmingly. "Yes, he saved Uraraka-san."

"Haah?! That Quirkless loser can't save anyon—"

"He saved me," Ayane paused, watching hazel brown eyes lift her way and gleam. Uraraka wrung her hands together, looking concerned. "But his Quirk doesn't leave him unscathed so I hope he doesn't hurt himself again."

… Quirk?

Ayane digested the words slowly. She arched a brow, looking perplexed. Bakugou halted as well, confusion on his face.

A soft thud hit her ears. All eyes snapped towards the ball rolling sluggishly on the ground, a few inches away from Izuku's bright red sneakers.

His murmurs filled her ears with ease. "I was definitely trying to use it just now."

"I stopped it." The strips wrapped around Aizawa's neck rose ominously, eyes flashing crimson. "How you passed the entrance exam is beyond me."

"E-Eraserhead!"

Ayane tensed, eyes flickering when those neck bandages shot out, slithering around Izuku and tugging him in close. Bakugou felt her grow still, shooting her an annoying look but she focused on how Aizawa went on. His tone admonishing and threatening and Ayane heard the words again, drumming achingly in her ears.

"How can you save someone when you're vulnerable yourself."

Ayane contemplated his words as Aizawa went on dully. Quirk, Quirk, Quirk. He's just like him. Ayane racked her brain, logic soothing her stilled nerves. He doesn't have a Quirk.

"I have a… Quirk!"

Impossible.

Ayane slackened her clasped hands, letting them fall to her sides as she hummed. "I really hate to say this."

Izuku gulped, standing back in the circle and holding the ball with shaking fingers. Ayane continued on smoothly. "But Katsuki is right."

The blond spared her a heated glare while Iida and Uraraka turned her way quizzically.

Izuku craned his arm back, eyes gleaming with an unrecognizable emotion as his hand careened over his head. The ball launched into the air.

Ayane shrugged nonchalantly.

"There is no way he has a Qui—"

The ball soared ahead and exploded upwards. Waves of air broke apart in the ball's pathway, the pressure urging it higher and higher.

Gusts of wind slammed down on the ground. Her ponytail whipping back behind her, Ayane stared owlishly as wave after wave of forceful air hit them seamlessly.

"I can't use this Quirk without hurting myself yet but when I do…"

Izuku shifted, hand curling into a fist. A crooked finger hung out from the rest of his clenched grip.

How did he—

"I hope you'll be there to support me."

Just how did he—

Aizawa held out the device in his hand. "Seven hundred and five feet."

Izuku responded then, radiating with determination. But his words fell on deaf ears as Ayane tipped her head from left to right. The mechanics in her brain froze, staring into empty space because how. how. how—

A snarl hissed out from beside her.

"Deku!"

Her feet remain planted on the ground as Bakugou erupted, sprinting ahead with murderous intent. "How the fuck did you do that?!"

Her legs feeling wobbly, Ayane decided to sit down. She slumped down on her knees, eyes unblinking and ignorant of the way her classmates peered down at her.

Crimson eyes remained fixed ahead, blown wide even when Izuku turned her way. He paled, offering a nervous smile and a little wave of his hand.

Fingers brushed against Ayane's shoulder. "Mademoiselle?"

She seated herself down more.

Over the sound of Bakugou struggling against Aizawa's bindings, the thick accented voice piped up again.

"You should close your mouth." The French speaking blond advised sagely.

"You may catch flies."

Rabbits are weak creatures. Frail, worthless, disposable. The feeling of blood in her mouth and fur itching the back of her throat came too easily. "It's easier to take down something weaker than you." Fujimo's words fill the air as the hound bared its canines down at her squirming form. "Let's see how you manage this then."

She had dealt with hounds. Whether they possessed searing explosions, biting cold ice or long, slimy sludge raising into the air like a ferocious wave. All of them threatening the rabbit quivering behind her.

"You don't have to worry," her thumb pressed down the rabbit's head soothingly. Green fur ruffled under her calming touch as innocent eyes peeked up at her. "I'm not going to let anyone hurt you."

You remind me so much of him.

What Fujimo didn't explain was that rabbits can grow too. They can tear out from the green fur, spindly limbs disappearing into pure muscle and head lifting to even out their gaze with the hounds—

Ayane halted. Her grip tightened around the strap of her school bag.

"Get out of my way."

The sun sunk behind the clouds, the afternoon light casting long shadows across the empty street. Forest green eyes trembled briefly, and Izuku shifted before the glass door of the flower shop.

"A-Ayacchan." He stammered, standing there in a casual blue hoodie and shorts. "I-I'm sorry I couldn't wait for you after class."

Ayane stepped closer. The fading sunlight curved around Izuku's worried face and her gaze promptly dipped to the bandages around his broken finger.

She clutched the strap tighter, knuckles going white.

Without a word, she trudged ahead. Her scowl deepened when he refused to budge.

"Move."

Izuku finched because of the icy tone but sidestepped nonetheless. Ayane silently dug into the side pockets of her bag, searching around for the keys.

"Y-You didn't answer my texts."

Ayane fished out a pair of keys, jamming them in the door lock and pushing the door open. The bell from above jingled into the emptiness of the house. Feet fall after her. "L-Let my explain myself at least!"

"You lied to me!" Ayane exploded, a snarl curling her lips to flash sharp canines and Izuku halted midway in the door.

He swallowed thickly. "I-I didn't exactly lie! I told you I had—"

"A Quirk that manifested out of fucking nowhere?!" Ayane hissed out, sizing him up.

Izuku shrunk under her gaze. Fear didn't mix into the air yet. "Ayacchan, let me explain—"

"There is nothing to explain!" Ayane snapped, gripping her head and tugging forcefully at her own hair. "You were just fucking using me all this time and I was just too blind to see it!"

"Th-that's not—"

"Get out."

Izuku shut his mouth, eyes wide as Ayane thrust a hand through her hair and exhaled through clenched teeth. She turned away, voice low and seething. "Get out."

Scarlet eyes flickered when a hand caught her wrist.

Izuku planted his feet firmly, brows furrowed. "I'm not going anywhere until you calm do—hngh!"

A knee jutted into his stomach. Izuku gasped, doubling over but fingers dug into his hair, holding him steady on his feet and another hand seized his wrist in an iron hold.

"I said," Ayane forcibly tugged at the fistful of hair, drawing painful gasps once more. Her knee drew back, only to slam into his stomach again.

"Get."

Saliva choked out his mouth, dripping down on the tiles. Her grip on his hair was the only force stopping him from crumbling to the floor.

Her knee knocked into stomach once more.

"Out."

Fingers slackened around green locks and Izuku fell in a heap on the floor, breathless.

Ayane pivoted on her heel, gaze snapping back down and hardening when fingers clasped her ankle. Izuku lifted his chin, spit dripping down his chin as he looked up pleadingly.

"You saw what my Quirk did to me!" He said, pathetically tugging at her ankle. Tears bubbled up in his eyes, snot running down his nose and Ayane focused on his other hand, the crooked finger wrapped up in bandages.

"I-I still can't control it!" Izuku reasoned, tears spilling out from the corners of his eyes. "I still need to make it mine so don't hate me, Ayacchan. Please, I didn't lie—"

A strangled gurgle left his lips, head whipping towards the foot stomping down the crooked finger.

"You think I'm stupid, don't you?" Ayane said calmly.

She pressed down on the broken finger again, ignoring the way the boy wriggled in agony and swatted at her foot.

Ayane dug her foot down more.

"You think I'm gonna believe whatever fuckery you spout out, huh?"

"I'm n-not- Aycchan, stop! You're hurting me—"

"Alright, then for just a second." Ayane lessened the weight on her foot. Izuku squirmed on the ground, attempting to snatch his finger away from the heavyweight above. "Let's say I believe your lie."

"I'm not lying!"

"You're saying that the Quirk isn't yours, right?" Ayane hummed, jabbing down her foot again and Izuku let out an aching howl.

"Then it must mean you got it from somewhere." She deducted calmly.

Fear finally clouded the air. The hand tugging uselessly at her ankle froze for a moment, and realization colored Ayane's eyes. Izuku's bottom lip quivered.

"So you really did get it from somewhere." Ayane muttered in silent astonishment.

The fear thickened, filling her lungs as Izuku shook his head wildly. "N-No, I didn't—"

"Liar!"

Another agonizing gasp left his lips as the sound of his finger getting crushed rumbled into the air. Ayane grounded her foot hard, Izuku's nails digging crescents into her skin.

"Who gave you the Quirk?!"

"I can't tell you!"

A growl ripping out from Ayane's throat, she dug in her heel more. Izuku floundered with a series of gasps, thrashing around violently.

"Tell me!" Ayane hissed out, crushing the mangled bones even more. The sting behind her eyes went a little soft when she felt something warm dribbling down her cheeks. "Tell me, you stupid, Quirkless, good for nothing—"

Tears hit the floor, a tiny puddle of blood forming beneath her foot.

"—Deku!"

A\N: Thank you all for your wonderful feedback. You all are too kind. uwu

We now also have Aizawa~! I freakin love Aizawa so much I cannot tell you all how much I love this sleep deprived man.

I am excited to write about the entire class too cause wow they're all such amazing characters and I hope I would be able to do them justice *salutes* I also got requested for a villain au but I'm waiting to post it cause I wanna build a better foundation between Aya and the entire class before I post that since the AU is kiiiiiinda longer than an actual snippet so it might as well be a separate chapter perhaps~ :3

Thank you for reading~!