Acid Smash
Part 7: Feelings Will Show
Two Months Ago-
It is in the late afternoon when Izuku returns to his classroom, holding the metal briefcase that holds his hero costume.
He is surprised to find Uraraka waiting for him.
Izuku: Uraraka? What are you still doing here?
She flashes him a bright smile.
Uraraka: Deku! I just wanted to say how great you were during training today!
Izuku: Thanks!
Uraraka: What took you so long by the way? Everyone else is back at the dorms by now.
Izuku rubs his head in embarrassment.
Izuku: I had to go to the support department about repairing some of my gear.
He then begins to ramble on, much to Uraraka's astonishment.
Izuku: The soles on my feet were starting to wear out so they needed to be replaced. I've been thinking about changing them to a more durable metal. Maybe steel or titanium? Then again it may weigh me down and hinder my movements. I need to consider whether I should prioritise speed over strength, especially when it comes to rescue work or-
Izuku stops mumbling as he remembers his surroundings. He then turns to Uraraka and smiles apologetically.
Izuku: S-sorry about that. I got a bit carried away. Sorry if I kept you waiting for too long.
Uraraka: It's fine! Don't worry about it!
Izuku places his briefcase in one of the slots in the extendable rack within the classroom wall.
Uraraka: I think it's kinda cute when you get lost in your thoughts like that.
The boy is taken aback by the comment. Uraraka's face immediately becomes flush with embarrassment as she hurriedly tries to play it subtle.
Uraraka: Well you see I-The thing is-
As if by coincidence or divine intervention Mina comes into the classroom in that moment. Uraraka waves to her friend wildly.
Uraraka: Ashido! Is it still girl's night tonight!?
Mina looks at her in confusion.
Ashido: Uh, yeah? We already decided on what movie we were gonna watch, remember?
Uraraka rushes out of the room, still blushing with embarrassment.
Uraraka: Ok cool, I was just checking! I'll see you later! Bye Deku!
Izuku timidly waves to his friend.
Izuku: Bye Uraraka...
Izuku then turns to look at Mina in bewilderment.
Mina: After I couldn't find you at the Support Department, I had a feeling you'd be here.
Izuku: Yeah. Uraraka was waiting here when I came back to put my costume away so we started talking. But she was acting strange… Do you think she's alright?
Mina is quiet for a moment and pouts.
Izuku takes notice and furrows his brow in concern.
Izuku: What's wrong Mina?
She looks at him with a serious expression.
Mina: There's something you need to know.
Now-
Uraraka continues to stare at Izuku and Mina. Nobody says a word, the feeling of dread weighing heavy on the three of them.
The brunette looks at them with wide eyes, her face full of confusion and hurt whilst the couple look back at her with sorrow and regret.
Mina, now having gotten off of Izuku's lap, moves towards the other girl. She reaches out with a pleading hand.
Mina: Uraraka…
Uraraka takes a step backwards, moving away from the pair. She lowers her head slightly, obscuring her eyes.
Uraraka: Don't.
She turns around and runs out of the room.
Uraraka: Just don't.
Izuku and Mina continue their conversation in the classroom. His face is overcome with sudden realisation.
Izuku: Uraraka likes me? I suppose that explains a few things…
Mina frowns with worry.
Mina: I know we've been talking about keeping… this thing between us secret from the rest of the class but shouldn't we tell her?
Izuku sharply turns his head to face her. His eyes widen significantly.
Izuku: We can't!
Mina looks at him incredulously.
Mina: What!?
Ochaco continues to run up the dormitory stairs, pushing past Iida and Kirishima as they walk in the opposite direction. They look at her with concern.
Kirishima: Hey Uraraka, what's… up?
Iida: Uraraka? Is everything alright?
Mina glares at Izuku.
Mina: We can't just string her along Izuku, that's cruel! She has to know!
Izuku is silent.
Izuku: I know, but I think we should wait.
Mina: Why?
Uraraka finally makes her way to her room, she swiftly opens the door before darting inside and closing the door behind her, slumping against the doorframe slightly.
Izuku sighs heavily.
Izuku: I'm still not used to all of this, I just- I need to find the right thing to say...
Mina's scowl softens for a moment.
Uraraka falls towards her bed, stopping short and landing on her knees. She buries her head in her arms as she hunches over the bed.
Izuku: The last thing I want is to see her upset.
Finally the tears start.
The door opens slowly and Tsuyu peers her head inside.
Tsuyu: Ochaco?
The frog-girl solemnly walks into the room, closing the door behind her. She then approaches Uraraka on the bed.
She takes a seat next to her and puts a comforting hand on the brunette's back. The sobbing intensifies.
Tsuyu: It's okay… Let it out…
Later, Mina is frantically pacing up and down the space of corridor outside Uraraka's dorm.
She knocks on the door. There is no answer.
Mina: Uraraka? It's me… Can we please talk about this?
Tears in her eyes, she knocks on the door again and again there is no answer.
Mina: Please…. Just open the door…
Finally, the door opens and Mina moves back, cheering up for a moment only to be disappointed when greeted by Tsuyu instead.
Mina tires to peer over Tsuyu's shoulder into the room but is prevented from doing so when the door is closed by Tsuyu.
Mina: How is she?
Tsuyu: I think it's best that you give her some space. For now at least. It's too soon for this.
Mina looks down in shame.
Mina: I screwed up Tsu… I screwed up badly.
Tsuyu puts a reassuring hand on her shoulder.
Tsuyu: It'll be fine. But as I said, she needs time. I think you do too.
Unbeknownst to them however, Uraraka is on the other side of the door. Her hand hovers closely over the door handle but it stops at the last second.
Mina turns away and heads back towards her own room.
Mina: Yeah, you're right… Thanks Tsu.
After returning to her room, she walks in to find Izuku sitting on her bed. He is looking down at the ground, twiddling his thumbs.
He looks up at her and green eyes meet with black and gold, both are filled with disappointment and shame.
Izuku: No luck?
Mina is quiet, conveying the answer clearly.
Izuku sighs as Mina takes a sits down next to him.
Izuku: This is my fault… All of this.
Mina's expression softens.
Mina: Izuku…
Izuku: It's true though, I was the one who insisted we didn't tell her. That wasn't fair to Uraraka and it wasn't fair to you Mina.
He pinches the bridge of the nose in frustration.
Izuku: I was being selfish. I wanted to be in a relationship with you and I wanted to have my friendship with her too. But I wanted the best of both worlds; I wanted everything to be how it was before. By trying to keep our friendship, I've probably destroyed it forever.
Mina wraps her arm around Izuku and pulls him in close, bringing their shoulders together.
Mina: It's my fault too. I should've told her myself.
The two look at each other with tender eyes. Mina smiles.
Mina: We both made mistakes. That's why we need to do our best to make it right.
He kisses her forehead before getting up from the bed.
Izuku: I should go and get ready for tomorrow, I'll try and stop by later.
Mina: Okay. I need to-
She is interrupted by the sound of someone knocking on her door.
KNOCK. KNOCK.
Mina gets up to answer the door as she and Izuku eye the entrance with nervousness.
She then opens the door, finding Uraraka waiting for her. Her eyes are stained red with tears but an uneasy smile is on her face.
Uraraka: I think I'm ready to talk now.
And there you have it. Thanks to everyone for reading!
Sorry if this one was a bit shorter than expected. However, I'd like an opinion on where to take things next. Would you guys prefer if Uraraka talks to Mina and Izuku together or separately? I have ideas for both but can't decide. Any opinions would be greatly appreciated!