Deku looked up, excited to show Kuri his new notes. She seemed weirdly into all the notes she took, and always added them to her own; but she would never let him look at hers.

That's when she came in. With Shoto Todoroki. Holding his hand.

She sent him a pained look, then went to sit with Todoroki.

Deku rushed over to her desk. "Kuri what's going on? Why are you with Todoroki?!"

He had thought they were close. What had happened?

"I'm sorry Midoriya," she whispered. "We're going to have to just be friends. Todoroki is my boyfriend now."

Todoroki squeezed her hand in assent. "You'd better run along Midoriya."

Something about his words held a veiled threat.

Confused and hurt, Deku went to his desk and sat down.

"No…" He whispered.

He had to get to the bottom of this.

Xxx

The Battle Trials began; Deku and Reiko on one team, Todoroki and Kuri on the other.

This could be his chance to get some answers.

"Ok Shoko." Kuri said. Deku winced at the nickname. "You can hold them off. Shouldn't be a problem if you actually USE your quirk. I'll stay with the weapon. Don't hold back."

Todoroki glared at her and headed into the hallway.

Deku sighed with relief. They didn't sound like lovebirds. Something weird was going on.

Reiko too, was watching the tension, looking a bit sad.

Deku was going to ask her, then refocused. "We might be able to get by them if they are not getting along."

He gave Kuri a worried look from afar.

The ice shot out at them and Deku almost missed his chance. But he was able to sneak around and catch up to Kuri.

"Zu! Hi!" Kuri waved happily, starting to hover.

"Hey Kuri!" Deku smiled. So she still liked him. "Can we talk?"

Kuri shook her head. "Can't."

She aimed some feathers at him, which he dodged. "Kuri, cmon, why are you with Todoroki?"

Kuri tried to speak. He watched her struggle and was reminded of that night long ago when she tried to explain about her brother.

"It's your Grams again, huh." Deku said. "And now Endeavor is involved?"

Kuri nodded. "They're friends. And so are we, now. Just friends. I'm sorry, Deku." She lifted her hand.

Deku looked around wildly. Nowhere to run.

"RAN-GU! COURAGE! HEAVENLY BARRAGE!" Kuri shouted, and her attacking feathers shot at him.

Deku managed to dodge and delivered a punch at her. "Delaware SMASH!"

Kuri went flying.

Xxx

Meanwhile, Reiko was having no problem dodging Todoroki's ice.

"Seriously?! It's ice all on one side!! It's not..practical!!" Reiko said, laughing, analyzing everything with the mind of a true support course member.

Todoroki tilted his head. "Not…practical?"

"Nope!" Reiko grinned. "It's unbalanced."

Todoroki froze her. "What about that? Still impractical?"

"Yes." Reiko said firmly. "Still impractical."

The bell rang then, signaling that Deku had gotten the weapon.

Todoroki put a hand on the ice, melting it.

"Shoto." Reiko whispered. "We'll find a way out of this. I won't allow you to be forced into marriage like your mother was."

Todoroki looked into her eyes, full of sadness. "I just want Kuri to be freed."

"Don't worry." Reiko whispered. "I won't let this happen."

Xxx

Kuri was resting in the nurse's station with Deku when Todoroki approached. She knew what was coming, and hated herself for it. The play acting.

"I came to visit." Todoroki sat down. "What's Midoriya doing here?"

"Ah. T-Todoroki!" Deku stammered. "I…I helped her here."

"Why did you punch her?" Todoroki glared at him. "What kind of hero hits a girl like that?!"

Kuri flinched. That was one of Todoroki's pet peeves! He was actually mad now, no acting.

"I-I didn't mean to!" Deku said. "I…I really didn't! I'm so sorry! I didn't mean for her to get hurt!"

Todoroki was still glaring. "If you hurt her again, you will answer to me, Midoriya."

Kuri sighed. He really meant that. And now Deku was gonna think that Todoroki was really in love with her. It would interfere with any chance of being rescued from this arrangement.

"Z—Midoriya." Kuri said softly. "You better go." Kuri looked at him sadly. She would have to track him down later and explain herself.,

"I…I'll see you later." Deku quickly left.

Todoroki turned to her. "Are you hurt?"

"Nah. No need to go so nuts. He's gonna think your a jerk." Kuri sighed as she looked up at him.

"Yeah well." Todoroki squared his shoulders. "I'm not in love with you, but your still a beautiful young woman. Men shouldn't hit women. Ever."

Kuri put a hand on his shoulder. "I get it. Chill." She then started giggling like crazy.

"You're weird."

Xxx

Deku stopped when he heard Kuri's voice

"Zu! Zu!!!"

Deku looked up at her. "Kuri? You shouldn't be running!"

"Oh? Yeah." Kuri grinned sheepishly. "But you have super legs! It was hard to catch up!" She kneeled down and looked at his legs. "Bad legs! Too fast! But very se—aesthetically appealing."

Deku blushed. "Wh-What are you doing?!"

Kuri flew up. "I was having a discussion with your legs. None of your business."

"Why?" Deku was totally flustered. "I…ah…"

"I'm really sorry about Shoko." Kuri looked down at him, hovering. "He didn't have to be so mean. He's jealous. But can't we be friends?"

From the longing stare she gave him, Deku was convinced she really wanted more than that. But they couldn't have it…yet.

"We already are." Deku smiled at her.

"Cool." Kuri smiled back. "But you've gotta make it clear to everyone. That we're friends."

Deku heard the fear in her voice. He had to free her, somehow.

"Why?"

"So you don't get your ass kicked," Kuri replied, trying to be lighthearted about it.

"I wont get my ass kicked!" Deku exclaimed.

Kuri looked at him longingly and touched his face. "Zu…please."

"I…alright." Deku sighed, then gave her a conspiratorial smile. "I like it when you call me Zu."

Kuri blushed really hard, rushing off. Deku grinned, absolutely sure of it now. He was the one she wanted, and he WOULD free her so they could be together.