Staring at the shifting waves of the ocean, Izuku's mind drifts to earlier that day. Or more specifically, to a certain ginger and his interactions with her.

Miyako Mimi is a puzzle to him. She's soft-spoken and shy, quiet to the point people forget she's there. Yet there's a hidden spine of steel within her, if the way she easily took control of what could have been an embarrassing and regretful event (he really likes his new nickname, Dekiru, given to him by people that care, and he will be forever grateful to her because he doesn't think he'd ever find the courage to ask people to stop calling him Deku and forever live with that regret).

Despite only knowing each other for about two weeks, he can confidently say that she's his first friend (Kacchan...is a different story that Izuku is starting to realize and hesitates to continue that line of thought any further). Especially when she stuck by his side for all their classes instead of interacting with their female classmates like he's seen most students do in the past.

Thinking back on his classes, he looks away from the ocean to his hand. Flexing and turning it this way and that, he remembers what he came to the beach for.

Having spent his entire life (minus the last year) Quirkless and weak, he's behind everyone else by miles. He's actually a little ashamed he never thought of taking up self-defense or building his strength when he was younger — ashamed to have fallen into the same mindset as everyone else: that quirks are strength and are all you need.

Today's lesson on how to simply fall correctly was mind-opening to how narrow minded he's been. He vows not to make that mistake again. He'll have to work ten, maybe twenty, times harder.

"Dekiru?" A soft voice behind him snaps him out of his musings, the use of his new nickname making his chest warm (friends, he has friends).

Turning around to look, Mimi shifts in her spot at his stare, bowing her head a little as she says, "S-Sorry, I'm late."

He blinks before hurriedly waving his hands in the air, "No, no, it's fine! Y-You aren't late, I'm just, just early. My fault really."

He scratches at the back of his neck as he feels heat rush to his face. He doesn't doubt that he's blushing in embarrassment at the moment. "I apologize for asking you to meet me here. I..I don't mean to take up your time.."

First week of class and already they had a pile of homework (not that he expected anything less from UA). But just because he can finish it all within two hours or so, doesn't mean everyone else can. And he knows that she has younger siblings to watch over (he's curious about their quirks and lack of information on her parents or guardians, but knows enough tact and self-restraint to not ask, it isn't his place and she never commented on his lack of information on a paternal figure or vague answers about his own quirk).

Mimi smiles back, lightly waving a hand in the air, "It's fine." He doesn't particularly believe her but the lack of stutter is reassuring.

"E-Earlier, you said you wanted to..to go over the falls?" She questions, head tilting in confusion as if she isn't entirely sure if she remembers correctly.

Something which he knows to be untrue because she's told him how she's trained herself to be able to remember everything in detail for her Quirk (that was really fascinating to find out and a great way to get his mind off of his broken fingers and left over anxiety). Her hesitance actually says a lot more about her personality than her capabilities (but now really isn't the time to psychoanalyze her, get it together, he chides himself).

He perks up at the topic, leaning forward as he talks enthusiastically. "I noticed how good you were! You already knew what you were doing and explained some things to me and Kirishima when we were confused and Mr. Aizawa was busy with another student. I was wondering if you had experience and uh, if you w-would mind...h-helping me out?"

Mimi blinks, looking a bit startled but not as if she's about to refuse his request. She rocks back, startlement smoothing away to thoughtfulness. The silence has him fidgeting and before he knows it, he's rambling.

"I'm sure you're busy and I'm really sorry to have asked! You just seemed really knowledgeable and well, I have so much to catch up on compared with our classmates because I'm a late bloomer, and I've never really done this before. Mr. Aizawa even said not to try anything without someone supervising and my usual trainer isn't always around, and only really gives tips on how to build my strength, not technique. Not that I don't appreciate my usual trainer! Oh no, I'm really grateful to them! They've been a big help in reaching for my dream and-"

He cuts himself off, taking a deep breath and wondering why he suddenly stopped.

"Dekiru."

Oh, that's why. Mimi had grabbed his waving and flapping hands. She squeezes his hands lightly, making him realize that she's trying to grab his attention again.

"Y-Yeah?"

She smiles, "I think I have a better solution."

[ ]

She takes him to a dojo that he's never seen or heard of before. It isn't too small or big, not too flashy or plain. It's all rather average and discreet.

Izuku has thought about applying to dojo's recently but everything near his home or on his commute were either too expensive or have teachers with undesirable personalities and opinions.

He's smart enough to recognize that he won't learn anything if he feels pressured or uncomfortable, so it was decided early on to simply nip those at the bud.

He's nervous to enter this new building, watching the door warily as if it's a tiger in disguise waiting to pounce. Mimi stands next to him patiently, thankfully allowing him to make the first move as she explains.

"This is where I learned what I know," her voice is soft as always, but there's a calming quality to it compared to the other times she's spoken. "I work part-time as a cleaner and equipment pickup, getting paid in learning new self-defense maneuvers and money."

"Mr. Saito is a very kind and fair man. He'll teach at his students' pace instead of his own, but still pushes them to their limits to reach their potential," she continues on without pause or stutter, an easy background noise to focus on.

Izuku vaguely wonders if she's had experience with anxiety to be so proficient at keeping him grounded and calm. It'd take him about half an hour to an hour to be completely calm — usually pushing the anxiety down only for it to rush forward and grab him the moment he's alone in his room, right before going to sleep. Yet, she quelled his racing thoughts in minutes — twice.

Taking in a deep breath, he closes his eyes and nods determinedly to himself. "Okay," he mutters, feeling ready to step forward. "Okay."

Mimi smiles at him again, reassuring and encouraging all at once, before stepping up beside him. She isn't in front of him like a shield to hide behind. She isn't behind him like a follower simply there to watch and leave. She's right next to him, supportive and ready to help should he ask.

Yeah, Izuku can confidently say that Mimi is his first (and maybe, just maybe- best) friend.

[ ]

It's very easy to get along with Midoriya, Mimi is starting to find. For all that he is shy, anxious, and easily startled, he is also very kind, determined, and intelligent. His intelligence mostly lies with Heroes and Quirks, which is a refreshing conversation topic for her - so used to discussing politics, numbers, values, and history.

But she already knew that he was intelligent - it was evident the first day they met and walked through the halls together. Now she knows that people don't recognize his ramblings as worth anything - evident with the surprised and happy expression he always gives when she pays active attention to his rambling and asks him to speak up when he mumbles.

Really, Midoriya reminds her of herself and her sisters. It makes her smile, certain that her sisters would like her classmate. It also makes her marvel at how fast they've become friends, only knowing each other for about a total of two weeks since she first bumped into him.

The bell at the top of the front door chimes as they step inside. The lights are off and the room is empty but Mimi knows that Mr. Saito is inside somewhere.

"Mimi? Is that you?" A voice calls out from further inside, footsteps stalking forward steadily. "You're earlier than usual."

"Sorry," she apologizes sheepishly, bowing her head.

A chuckle makes her look up to see Mr. Saito stepping into the sunlight filtering through the windows. He grins at her good naturedly, looking a little exasperated too.

Saito Kaito is a fairly tall man, or at least, Mimi believes so, but that could just be because of her short height. He has graying black hair and eyes so blue that they made her freeze in place during their first meeting. She doesn't know what his quirk is, if he even has one, since he never utilizes it around her or the other students.

"What can I help you with, kiddos?" He asks kindly, peering at Midoriya curiously.

She doesn't immediately answer, knowing this is something Midoriya has to do himself. But looking over, she wonders if something is wrong. His brows are furrowed, head tilted to the side and eyes narrowed, looking at Mr. Saito in confusion.

"Dekiru?" She prods gently, knowing by now that the other can get quite lost in his thoughts.

He blinks, looking at her in confusion before seemingly remembering where he is. Flushing in embarrassment, he turns to the only adult around and bows. "Ah, I'm sorry! That was rude of me!"

"Nah, you're fine, kid," Mr. Saito waves off easily, moving closer towards the front desk they're standing next to. "So, what brings you to my dojo? And with my assistant no less."

Mimi can see Midoriya visibly steel himself as he straightens up, the becoming-familiar determined glint appearing in his eyes.

Looking over, she can tell that her boss notices it as well and leans forward just a little, intrigued. He glances over to her, a silent question in his expression.

She can only smile and dip her head in a subtle nod. She offers nothing else, believing that Midoriya will impress the older man on his own.

[ ]

Will he be worth the effort?

Yes.

[ ]

Izuku returns home that night grinning and brimming with excitement. His mother obviously notices and brightens, cheerfully asking about his day over dinner.

Finding out that he got a job was surprising. Finding out his new job was a dojo that his friend (a friend! Oh, Inko is overjoyed at the sheer happiness that appears on her son's face) recommended and also worked at, was even more surprising. Finding out he'll be paid in both money and techniques?

"Oh, Izuku! That's wonderful!" She cheers, grinning alongside him. "Being your friend over for dinner, and your new boss! I need to properly thank them!"

He flushes in embarrassment, "It might be a while before I can, Mom. I want to get used to going to school and UA and working part-time before doing something like that. I don't even know if they'll be free or willing.."

He drops into mumbling, brows furrowing and blush receding as anxiety begins to roll in. Inko can only smile softly, reaching over to touch his shoulder and draw him out of his thoughts.

"You don't have to ask them now or soon, but I would like to meet them someday," she assures, knowing that her son would just work himself into a tizzy.

He relaxes, grinning up at her from his seat and nodding resolutely, "Okay."

"Okay," she nods back, smiling as she returns to her food.

Okay, she thinks and allows herself to relax. The tension and worry from finding out her son has a quirk, is attending UA to become a hero, and finding a suitable dojo for him ever since he brought it up- it all slowly seeps away from her shoulders. Things are starting to look okay again.

[ ]

You have that friend that you just seem to have clicked with right away? Yeah, that's the basis of Mimi and Izuku's friendship.

Though I noticed that I may have accidentally set Midoriya up to be Mimi's (possible) love interest- which, when did that happen?

That wasn't in my plans

Ah, well, we'll see how that progresses since romance and pairings aren't really my focus for the story

Also, writing Midoriya POV with a lot of parentheses because you can't convince me his mind isn't constantly running several thoughts, going off track and coming back again

Also, also, decided to skip out on writing the first heroics class because I've been stumped for far too long and I have people to introduce Mimi too