Chapter Two

"So what did you call us here about, Midoriya?" Kyouka questioned, tilting her head curiously as Bakugou and Kaminari nodded in agreement. Izuku wouldn't just call them up out of the blue to meet like this most of the time, he was normally a rather organized type of person but he stated that this was something big.

"Well, I've got something to talk to you guys about." Izuku started, pulling up a chair as he sat down at the table that his friends were seated at in his mother's small cafe. "I've been giving some thought into further education, and I think it's about time I join in with you guys and try to apply for YUST. You can say I had a change of heart recently…"

"You talked with your dad, didn't you?" Bakugou deadpanned, causing the greenette to flush and grow cross with the blond's statement.

"O-Oi! Why do you always want to pick a fight with me?" Izuku stammered, slamming a fist into the table as Bakugou and Kaminari laughed at the greenette's embarrassment while Kyouka simply rolled her eyes and smiled at the boy.

"So you gave what I said some thought?" She questioned, a soft blush adorning her cheeks as she bashfully placed her hands into the pockets of her leather jacket.

"Yeah, you could say that." Izuku replied softly, smiling softly in return before turning his attention back to the other two boys present. "But now I've got a great idea for the big project I want to do for the admittance showcase, and I wanted to see if you guys are presenting your projects there too?"

"Yeah, I've got something in mind for some sort of faraday cage suit. Something that would help people work with electrical components without the risk of getting fried to disrepair." Kaminari chimed in, smiling confidently as he motioned idly with his hands about the kind of shape he had in mind for the suit.

"How are you gonna make something like that, dunce-face?" Bakugou questioned vindictively, earning a fist bump from Kyouka as the two smiled and chuckled at his comment.

"You guys have no faith! Aren't you supposed to be my friends!?" Kaminari shouted, feigning hurt and sadness at them poking fun at him. "Surely you have my back, right, Midoriya?"

Izuku avoided the blond's gaze, "I-I dunno man, that seems like it's a bit out of your expertise… N-Not to say you couldn't, just that it might be a bit too hard for you."

"...You're calling me dumb too, aren't you?"

"No, that's not-"

"That's totally what he's saying." Kyouka interrupted, smirking smugly as the blond slammed his head onto the table in defeat. "Oh come on, don't be like that Kaminari, I like it that you're so stupidly ambitious."

"Your backhanded compliments are not appreciated, Jirou." He spoke, his voice muffled by his face being on the table. "But I'll prove you guys wrong, I'll make sure I do it and no one can stop me!"

"That's the spirit, dummy! You can do it." Kyouka encouraged, causing the blond's face to flush as a goofy smile made its way onto his face. Suddenly Midoriya's mother made her way over to the group's table, laying a small kiss on her son's cheek before greeting the other teens.

"Hey guys, you're definitely here a bit earlier than normal. Do you guys want some breakfast?" The short green haired woman questioned, smiling warmly at the others as she ruffled her son's hair playfully.

"That actually sounds pretty great, Auntie." Bakugou stated, looking between the others who nodded in agreement.

"Thanks mom, and… I'm still sorry about last night." Izuku mumbled as his mother began to walk away. The woman paused and turned to her son and gave him an understanding smile.

"It's fine. I'm just more proud of you for figuring out what you want to do with your life now. I know how hard it's been for you." She replied, letting out a small sigh of relief as she placed a hand to her chest and scurried off to the kitchen.

"So, you two really did get caught last night?" Kaminari questioned, receiving a smack against the back of his head by none other than the purplette.

"Yes, you idiot! I told you this already, do you just not believe me!?" She shouted, raising her hand to strike him again, but her fist was caught by Izuku rising from his seat and reaching over the table.

"C'mon now. No need to fight like an old married couple." Izuku teased, shooting a wink to Kaminari as Kyouka merely stared back at him with an annoyed blank expression on her face.

"That joke was, and is, never going to be funny. You must be blind." She deadpanned, snatching her arm back from Izuku's hold as she rose from her seat. Kaminari seemed a tad hurt by her words, but as always it went unnoticed by her. "I'm going out to pay the meter before I get a ticket since we're gonna eat breakfast here today. I do not need to waste any more money."

"Oh, I can chime in. I've got a few coins on me." Kaminari uttered, rising from his seat as he lightly jogged to catch up with her as she left. Bakugou and Izuku watched as the two left and began making conversation outside through the windows of the cafe.

"He's still trying…" Bakugou mumbled, shaking his head as a disappointed sigh escaped his lips. Izuku raised a brow curiously at the boy's statement.

"What's that supposed to mean? Shouldn't he keep trying, I mean he likes her after all." Izuku commented, staring at the blond in confusion. Bakugou simply gave the boy a blank look before shifting his attention back to the two outside.

"You two are so blind. She's not interested in him." He started, crossing his arms as he leaned back in his chair. He then looked the confused greenette up and down before frowning. "Pretty sure she has her eyes set on someone else."

Izuku stared at Bakugou for just a moment before shifting his attention back to Kyouka on the other side of the window, giving the blond beside her what seemed like a courteous smile at his joke. She did seem rather disinterested, but surely it was just that the joke wasn't funny, right? There had to be something there for Kaminari to have a shot at her heart.

"...If not him, then who?" Izuku mumbled, cupping his chin in thought before the ringing of the shopkeeper's bell indicated that the duo had returned inside, and just in time as well. Inko had arrived with plates of food for the teens.

"Oh sweet, we got back just in time!" Kaminari exclaimed, sitting down back in his seat across from Izuku. Inko placed plates of a classic American-like breakfast in front of each of the teens humming softly with a smile as footsteps from the stairs leading up to the house portion of the shop indicated that Izuku's father had gotten up for work.

"Oh, dear, is that you?" Inko questioned, turning her attention to the stairs as the large man made his appearance, clad in an odd yellow pinstripe suit. "Are you heading off? Do you want to sit and eat?"

"Ah, I don't have much time. Thank you though, I'll be home early tonight so we can all have dinner together though." Yagi informed, placing a kiss against his wife's cheek before shooting a prideful smile towards his son eating with his friends. He seemed brighter, almost like the light in his eyes had returned.

"Alright, I'll cook my specialty, katsudon!" Inko replied, smiling brightly to her husband before chuckling at how Izuku perked up and turned to the two with a wide smile. "You don't get any until you get started on that project of yours."

"Aww…" Izuku groaned, taking a bite of his pancakes with a huff. "I don't even know what I want to build yet!"

"Well, guess you'll just have to figure that out, won't you, Nerd?" Bakugou antagonized, smirking as Izuku shot the blond a dagger-filled glare. "Why don't you just try to make something from those dumb comics of yours?"

"Hey! They're not dumb, they're-" Izuku started before pausing as a lightbulb went off in his mind. The greenette couldn't help as a wide grin made its way to his face as he shot up from his seat and slammed his hands onto the table excitedly. "They're… Perfect! Kacchan, you're a genius!"

"Seems like he's going to be getting started soon…" Yagi mumbled, standing beside his wife with a smile as they watched their son grow increasingly excited and frantic as he searched for some way to jot down his idea before he forgot it.

"I like to think he gets it from you. That ambition is definitely going to earn him that katsudon. He'll be in the garage until midnight." Inko joked, smiling at her husband as he wrapped his arm around her and gave her a quick hug.

"Oh, for sure." He replied, chuckling as he released his wife and prepared to make his way off to teach the next generation of innovators and geniuses. "Alright, I'm gonna sneak out before he starts going on one of his tangents."

"So you're leaving it to me?" Inko questioned, feigning annoyance jokingly as Yagi opened the door to leave the cafe.

"Oi! Midoriya, you can't use my napkin as a notepad!" Kyouka shouted from the table, causing both of his parents to chuckle at the greenette's antics.

Yagi smiled while staring at the young purplette, "I think you'll have plenty of help."

Just like his parents predicted, Izuku found himself sitting inside of the garage, typing away at his workstation as he searched for new/replacement parts of things that he may have already had, or needed for the future of his project.

He was laser-focused, certainly nothing could break him out of his concentration. He was invested, his mind was at its peak and his cognitive function was going into overdrive. Nothing would knock him out of his search, he needed to stay on track.

"Dude."

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!" Izuku let out a high pitched shriek, swiveling around in his chair until he was met with his purple haired friend, Kyouka Jirou. But this was odd, hadn't she left for home a few hours ago? "Oh hey, Jirou. What're you doing here?"

"Talk about a reaction." Kyouka joked, smirking as Izuku's face flushed. The greenette swiveled back around to face his computer in an attempt to hide his blush with an angry expression. "Oh come on! I'm just teasing." She chuckled as she made her way beside Izuku, looking over at his monitor to scout out what he was doing. "What're you up to?"

"Looking for some parts for my project. I've got a pretty great idea for what I want to, but I'm definitely going to need some parts." Izuku explained, side-eyeing the girl as she inspected the shop that he was browsing online. "But what are you doing? I thought you were headed home?"

"Got into a fight with my parents about trying to work on my project. They're still against the whole "being an engineer" thing." Kyouka replied, her eyes growing distant as she remembered the shouting match she just had a few minutes prior. "I was wondering if I could share a workspace with you..? I-If not I get it, I-I'll just have to-"

"Jirou, it's fine. Of course you can work here with me, you don't even need to ask, I get it. When have I ever not helped you out?" Izuku turned to the girl beside him with an innocent smile, reminding Kyouka just why she felt the way that she did.

"Right… You've always been my saving grace. Thanks for always being there for me, I know it must be annoying at times…" Kyouka mumbled, turning around and hopping up on the greenette's desk as she looked down in a mixture of guilt and thought.

"Not at all, Jirou. I get it, your parents are really not for your dream, but like I said back then, it still stands. If they won't support your dream…" Izuku started, rising from his seat and placing a comforting hand on her shoulder as he gave her a soft smile. "Then I will. We're friends, and I'll support you no matter what. You'd do the same for me."

"I know… I can't thank you enough." Kyouka admitted, blushing softly as she finally faced him. She then remembered her parents' anger-filled expressions and all the hurtful things they said and she frowned. "It's just hard, y'know? We literally started fighting today because I said that I was trying to get into YUST. They threatened to kick me out again! And it's all because I just don't want to 'follow in their footsteps'."

Izuku stayed silent for a moment as he pondered the best way to try and empathize with her, or understand what she was going through, but he couldn't. He had no way to truly go through what she did, but he knew he had to say something. He knew in his heart that he needed to offer something in her time of distress.

"I can't offer much understanding, and for that I'm sorry. It's not easy having parents that never encourage your dreams, and try to oppose your every decision. I'm sorry you have to put up with them so constantly, but me and the others will always be here to be your real family." He started, staring out at his open garage door, noticing her pristine motorcycle balanced right outside. "I especially will do everything that I can to look out for you because I care about you. I care about all of you guys, and if I need to stop acting like such a wimp and go off on your parents then I have no problem doing so. If you need to stay over until a fight blows over, then say the word. If you just need an ear, well… I'm your guy. Although Kaminari makes a great replacement if I'm unavailable."

"Pfft! Would you quit that!" Kyouka chuckled, shoving the greenette playfully at his comment. "...But, thanks. It's good to know you guys have my back, even if you guys keep trying to get me and him together."

"Well, you know how he feels about you. I think you could give him a chance." Izuku mumbled, remembering the many times that the blond had gushed about each and every interaction that they had in high school. He'd always say that he was one step closer, but maybe he was just delusional.

"Yeah, but… I just don't feel the same." She admitted, sighing as she looked down and crossed her arms to hug herself almost as if she were feeling a bit self-conscious. "There's just no connection there. Honestly, I think I like someone else, and I don't know how to let him down easily…"

"Well, that's up to you. Your guys' love lives aren't really my business, but as each of your friends, it might do you some good to just be upfront about it." Izuku advised, patting the girl's back before he turned his back to her and stretched his arms. Kyouka frowned as the greenette seemed to give a bit of a lackluster response, or didn't even try to inquire about who her secret crush was. Why was he so dense!? "Anyways, you want to stay for dinner? Or were you planning to hide out from your parents until they beg you to come back home?"

"...You know me too well."

For the next few weeks up until the showcase, Izuku and his friends began work on their own individual projects. They labored away with what free time they had, using their individual skills to create innovative devices in order to secure a spot in the prestigious university known as Yuuei University of Science and Technology, or YUST for short.

Bakugou had slaved away on his own time, using much of his parents' expenses to cover his project despite how difficult it was to gather the materials required.

Kaminari struggled to figure out what he wanted to create at first, but in time the boy would find his way and use much of his expertise on circuits and electricity to create something truly invigorating.

Kyouka with her love of music combined her passions to create something that she hoped would finally bring her parents over to the idea of her being an engineer, but it wasn't without the help of her green haired friend…

Izuku Midoriya. The man with a pension for helping those in need, a green haired boy, who from the very start of his life wanted to make something of himself. He wanted to be someone whose name would last throughout the centuries, and with his invention he might do just that. He was sure of it.

These four friends stopped at nothing, trading information with one another and aiding each other when required. They worked tirelessly to make the start of their dreams become reality, and now the day fell upon them. The day of the showcase.

"Geez, Midoriya… What the hell do you have packed in that thing?" Kaminari questioned, eyeing the massive crate that Izuku was struggling to wheel down the pathway down the campus of the university.

The group was headed to the presentation hall, all with their inventions packed away in some sort of storage device, but Izuku in particular had something quite unique in store. A massive wooden crate, past seven feet in height and heavier than what you'd expect the boy to be working with. He was lucky he had something to roll it along with.

"None of your business. You'll know about it when I give my presentation." Izuku replied, grunting as he shoved the box along. It was actually a bit lighter than one might think, but of course there were heavy components that were a part of such a massive… Actually no one knew what the damn thing was.

"It's probably something stupid. Knowing this moron he probably tried to build a railgun again." Bakugou berated, carrying along his own duffel bags full of his own inventions.

"Oi! That was one time, and it didn't even work!" Izuku shouted in response, scowling as the others laughed at his expense. "At least I didn't blow up part of the robotics shop!"

"...Touchè." Bakugou mumbled, a vein appearing on his forehead as Kyouka let out a smug snicker. "The hell are you laughing at, goth girl!?"

"Nothing other than you screaming like an infant having a temper tantrum." Kyouka quipped, glaring at the blond as she pretended to stick a finger in her ear to drown out the noise. "Seriously, shut the hell up. Your existence is killer on my eardrums."

"The hell you say!? YOU WANT ME TO KILL YOU!?" The blond roared, causing all of his friends to flinch at his shout and simultaneously tell him to kindly:

"SHUT THE HELL UP!"

And here it is, Chapter 2!

Here is the start of the group's grand unveiling of their projects. What could they have in store for us?

Also, please don't forget to join this discord server that me and my co-creator 3rdPirateKing are a part of: /BhTv6R57CG

I hope you all enjoy, and stay tuned for the next update!