Izuku sways to the motion of his morning train. In the crowded car, his slumped shoulders bump into a fellow commuter as he hangs a tired arm through a suspended loop, legs keeping him up only barely. Green eyes slack, his eyelids droop, heavy with nosleep. He is feeling more than the usual burden on his ever sore frame, more than the calisthenics, more than the hurt in his busted arms, more than the fatigue of late night homework. He is sleepless. A persistent vision kept him up until dawn's rosy-fingers slunk through his window, coming to him each time he shut his eyelids: a Mona Lisa smile and saucer-sized eyes, large lovely hands cupping his face and bringing it to hers. His head droops to his chest; his body rocks with the rattling train. He mutters weakly:
"Asui… I mean Tsu, sorry… don't get so close… it's inappropriate."
Several passengers look up from their phones and newspapers, watching Izuku dangle from the hand loop, a ribbon of drool slipping slowly from his mouth, glistening. A woman sitting near crinkles her nose, watching the spittle stretch past his knees:
"That's really gross."
A man beside her, peeking over his paper:
"Poor kid, somebody ought to wake him up."
"Give him a kick."
"No way, that's assault."
"Come on, just a little kick, a tap. What if he misses his stop?"
Izuku mumbles again:
"Tsu." He smiles weakly; the drip of spit falls to the floor.
The man grins:
"See? He's having a nice dream."
"Tsu… your boobs are so soft."
The man raises his eyebrows, amused; the woman stands out of her seat. Others about giggle.
"Alright, that's enough."
She grabs Izuku by the collar and shakes him.
"Hey pervy kid, wake up, you're disturbing the peace."
Izuku's eyes open and focus. He looks at the woman, dazed.
"Huh?"
"Who's Tsu?"
His dozing face springs awake; he starts to simmer.
"Huh?"
The man with the newspaper laughs.
"You kept saying her name in your sleep kid!"
"Huh?!"
At his stop, Izuku scurries off the train and shoves through the turn-style in a fluster. He comes out into the street panting, heart pummeling; he rests his hands on his knees.
That was like a nightmare, I woke up and everybody was laughing at me, pointing fingers at me. What an awful way to start the day. I can't believe I was calling out to Asui-san in my sleep. That's so embarrassing!
Around him, the world carries along: throngs of people pass him by, the sound of chatter and passing cars drown out his throbbing heartbeat. He stands erect and takes a deep breath, putting a foot forward to begin his walk to UA.
It was bad, sure, yes, but you've gone through worse. Remember when a sludge monster jumped down your throat and almost took over your body? Or when you shattered both of your legs? Or when you broke nine of your fingers? You're still here, you're still on your way to becoming a hero. That's all that matters!
Izuku pauses aside a convenience store and, still sluggish and sleep-deprived, decides to enter, figuring that he needed caffeine desperately if he wanted to function in class that day. The automated doors part for him with a friendly chime and he makes for the refrigerated shelves, passing between racks of chips and cookies, jerky and condoms. Perusing the cooler, he eyes the energy drinks.
It's pretty early for something carbonated but I don't really like coffee. And I've always wanted to try one even though mom never let me. Either way it'll probably help.
He pulls at the handle of the door and reaches into the artificial coolness, tugging out a can of Red Bull. As he moves to pay, he spots a familiar bow of green hair at the counter, laying coins down with her long fingers. Tsu! He gasps and freezes.
She turns, long green hair swatting with her movement, and catches sight of him; she smiles and puts up a big hand to wave.
It's no use. I have to engage!
He clenches his hands, palms beginning to sweat, and he approaches.
"G-good morning Tsuyu!"
"Good morning Izuku."
The cashier holds out a small paper bag to Tsuyu.
"Miss, here you go."
"Thank you, kero."
She takes it and pivots away.
"I'll wait for you outside."
The doors slide open to release her into the street and she idles outside the store entrance, holding the bag in front of her. She thinks:
He seems to have relaxed a little bit since yesterday. Maybe we can actually have a conversation today. I just need to stay cool, stone cold. Kero.
Izuku emerges, pocketing change, popping the tab on his drink, and joins Tsuyu; they walk along as a pair among the many pedestrians. He takes a sip from the can, looks over at the bag in her hands.
"What'd you get?"
"Oh this?"
She reaches into the bag and pulls out a jelly donut, wrapped in wax paper.
"I slept through my alarm and didn't get a chance to eat breakfast at home. So I got this donut."
She gives it a chomp, exposing its strawberry innards.
"I see." His mouth begins to stretch, he lets out a long yawn.
Tsuyu puts a finger to her cheek.
"It looks like you didn't get much sleep Izuku."
"Yeah, I was having some weird dreams that kept me up all night." He sips again.
"What about?"
Izuku recalls - dream Tsuyu holding his face closely, kissing him. He tints.
"Uh, uh, nothing! I mean, I don't really remember."
"Was it a bad dream?"
"No! At least, I don't think so. It felt like a really nice dream actually."
"That's not too bad then, kero, as long as it wasn't a nightmare. Sometimes I have a dream that I'm getting chased by a giant bird. It's pretty scary." As she bites into her donut again, a dab of jelly splotches near the corner of her mouth.
Izuku begins to pipe up.
"Um, Tsu, you've got some jelly on your face there." He points.
She brings a finger to the jelly, viscous and sweet. Maybe you should just lick it off, Izuku…. Woah, easy there, Tsu.
Her hesitancy invites his thoughts to wander. I could just lick it off. He shakes the thought out of his head.
"Uh, I've got something, my mom always packs me tissues." He swings his bag over his front, rifling through and retrieving a stack of tissues wrapped in thin plastic, pulling one out and holding it towards Tsuyu, who takes it lightly from his fingers. "Here you go."
"Kero, thank you," Izuku watches her bring it to her face and swipe the jam neatly off her cheek, soft tissue to soft skin. She balls and stuffs it in a passing trash can, along with the wrapper from her breakfast.
A lull in the conversation, both suddenly shy, embarrassed by their own reveries. Tsuyu pops the rest of her donut into her wide mouth. Izuku gulps and reinitiates. Confidence!
"Do you know what we're doing today at all?"
She chews thoughtfully.
"I think we're doing some sort of escape simulation."
"That's exciting. Simulations are always fun."
"I wish we could go back to USJ but it's still under repairs."
They pass through UA's gate; students in uniforms approach the main building as they do, chatting in pairs, sipping coffee, preparing for another day.
"I'm gonna go take this to the recycling." He wags the empty can. "I'll see you in class."
"Kero, see you in class."
Izuku walks off towards the dumpsters, tossing the can away as he arrives. He pauses there and holds a hand over his heart, thumping wildly. He wonders if it's because of the caffeine.
"Hello again class. I hoped I wouldn't have to see you again until later but All Might couldn't come in today, so I'll be leading Foundational Hero Studies alongside a guest instructor." He puts his hand up limply in presentation. "Please welcome Midnight."
She saunters through the door, her heels snapping.
"Hello Class 1-A! Are you ready to get tied up?"
"Is she allowed to say stuff like that?" Hagakure whispers.
Aizawa continues:
"The conceit of today's training is that you and a partner have been captured by enemy forces. You'll be restrained and left to free yourselves. There'll be no time limit, but you'll be pressured by an introduced hazard. We've separated you into pairs at random but we won't tell you who's with who until you begin to avoid preemptive planning. Any questions?"
Mineta raises his hand. "What sort of hazards?"
Aizawa makes a slight smile. "You'll just have to find out." He composes himself. " We'll be at Ground Beta today. Gym uniforms only. Iida and Midoriya, you'll be first, so please go to warehouse one after you've changed. The rest of you meet at the surveillance room. Dismissed."
Iida and Izuku sit in two wooden chairs, back to back, their hands behind them and bound. They are at the center of large empty warehouse. Above them an open hatch throws a narrow post of light onto their position, the rest of the warehouse in shadow. Midnight ties a rope around them firmly, making a tight knot with expert hands.
"There! Nice and tight." She leans in closely to Izuku, swelter on her breath, and whispers into his ear. "I want to see you struggle."
Izuku shivers.
"I'll be chatting you up with this." She taps at a microphone headset and walks off giggling, exiting through a door.
"Iida did you hear what she said?!"
"Yes! Of course, she means that she wants to see you struggle through this exercise and come out stronger than ever! Our education is truly unmatched!"
Izuku deflates. IIda you're too serious. They sit a moment.
"Hey IIda, since we're alone, and, you know, we're good friends, I was hoping if I could ask you something kinda personal."
"I appreciate that you can trust me, but make it quick Midoriya! Our training is soon to begin."
"Well, see, I think I've developed a crush… on somebody in our class. And I… was wondering if you have any… possible approaches to this sort of situation? I'm looking for advice."
The warehouse in total silence, dust spinning in the pillar of sunlight over Iida and Izuku.
"Midoriya!"
"Yes!" Startled.
"Our path is the straight and narrow! There's no room for romance in the life of a pro hero! I suggest you desist."
Izuku crumbles, he sighs.
"I sort of figured that's what you were going to say. We all came here to be heros. I abandoned a normal sort of life a long time ago. You're right Iida. I-it was selfish of me."
Iida clears his throat.
"Though… Please pardon my curiosity. Who is the object of your affection?"
"Can you keep a secret?"
"I trust you with my life Midoriya! Please consider me in the same way!
"It's Tsu."
"Say again?"
"Tsuyu."
"Not Uraraka?"
"What? No, I mean Uraraka and I are close, but we're just friends."
"Hmm, well… in that case… I take back what I said."
"Huh?"
"A hero's life is daunting and filled with battle - including the battle for love!"
"But you just said -"
"I've undergone a change of heart!"
"Iida, that was so sudden. I'm relieved! But I'm confus-"
Midnight's voice rings through the warehouse speakers, static and distant:
"Today's simulation will begin shortly. Use skill and teamwork to break free from your binds and escape through the hatch above you! Twenty-five seconds into the simulation a hazard will be introduced. We'll be watching on camera. Try your best to survive!"
"Midoriya, let's discuss this later. For now, we need to focus on the task at hand!"
"The simulation is beginning in three, two, one. Start!"
"Iida, what have you got?"
"I can try to use the flames from my Reciproburst to cut through the rope on our wrists but it'd likely burn our hands terribly."
"Maybe if you Reciproburst us into a wall the chairs will break and we'll be free."
"That also sounds rather painful."
Izuku and Iida pause to think.
"A lot of times when I power up One - I mean - my Quirk, it burns through my clothes, so I could try to do that and burn through the ropes."
"Will that hurt me?"
"I'm not sure. It doesn't hurt me until I actually hit something but I don't know what it does to other people."
The speaker crackles:
"The hazard has been introduced, prepare yourselves for, ta-da, fire!"
In the corner of the warehouse, a flame sparks into existence, swelling and beginning to creep along the wall. Smoke trickles around them, turning the air hazy.
"Escape from fiery demise! Buh-bye!" The voice cuts.
"Midoriya I suggest you power up before we burn to death. If it hurts, I will bear it!"
Izuku nods. Right! One for All: Full Cowling, 5%!
Power begins to surge and cross Izuku's body, glowing orange like molten lava, yet the ropes remain intact. A wall of the warehouse catches aflame, the heat beginning to reach the faces of the two bound in the middle; the air thickens with deep dark smoke.
"Midoriya! That didn't do anything!"
"I know! I know! I'll power up more!"
Full Cowling burned off my uniform that other day, but it was a life or death moment… Maybe I used more than I realized then. Do I need to pull out 100%? If I don't hit anything my arms should stay intact. Right? Izuku grits his teeth.
"Okay, here I go." Izuku summons as much energy as he can, channeling it through his arms, which have begun to crackle with flashes of green. His hair stands and the ropes against his body begin to singe, the sleeves of his gym uniform beginning to smoke.
"That's it Midoriya!"
Izuku watches the warehouse ceiling begin to blaze. It's getting close, just a little bit more, keep control. One For All flashes through his body, glinting brightly in his irises. He radiates and shines.
Aizawa, Midnight and the rest of class 1-A observe from the surveillance room as Izuku billows with power, his hair fluttering and his mouth open in a shout.
"Midoriya looks like he's going Super Saiyan!" Kirishima says excitedly.
Bakugo looks on sternly while the rest of the class clamors impressed, letting out cheers and encouragement. Aizawa turns around and shushes his students, eyes pinching with annoyance.
"They can't hear you, just be quiet."
Midnight wags a finger at him.
"Eraser, there's no need to be so mean to your precious students, you naughty boy."
She swivels and eyes the class.
"This one is going to be over soon. Let's set the rest up. Kaminari and Jiro please come with me."
Kaminari flashes Jiro a thumbs-up.
"No way." She deadpans.
Midnight leaves the room, her charges in tow.
Tsuyu watches the displays anxiously, her hands squeezed in front of her, slight eyebrows furrowed. This is odd, seeing Izuku in danger is making me feel so worried. I know he's strong but I don't want to see him get hurt.
Uraraka places a hand Tsuyu's shoulder. "You look nervous Tsu, what's up?"
"Oh, uh, I'm worried that the hazard for my simulation will be fire. I'm not so good around fire. I much prefer water." Was that a lie? I don't usually lie like that.
Aizawa speaks, still intent on the screen.
"I wouldn't be too preoccupied with the hazards Asui, we have about twenty of them to be released randomly, including, but not limited to, flooding, bees, and villain attack.
Mina cowers. "Not bees sensei!"
Sero points at the screen. "Midoriya's doing it!"
Izuku stretching and straining his body, the ropes around his chest and arms sizzling and finally tearing as the room around he and Iida burns. He bursts triumphantly from his restraints in a final flex, still surging with power, bearing a smile. Tsuyu melts watching Izuku beam with confidence, grinning and mighty, his arms strapping with super-strength. She lets out a sigh in the silence of the surveillance room, surprising those around her, who turn to see her in blush.
Back in the warehouse, IIda springs released from his chair and puts his hands together in front of him as a platform.
"Midoriya! Here!"
Izuku runs at him and springs off his hands, up and through the ceiling hatch. As Iida vaults up with a rocket-boosted leap, a buzzer sounds. Beneath their feet, the warehouse fills with swirling fire. Both of them sit, coughing and covered in soot.
"That was close." Izuku pants.
"Yes, but we clinched success thanks to you! Your power is extraordinary Midoriya!" His lenses flash in the sunlight and he pumps his fist. "I'm proud to call you my rival!"
"I appreciate it Iida." He starts for his feet. "We should be heading back soon."
"One moment Midoriya. About our conversation before the exercise - I have a plan."
"A plan? For what?"
"To get you and Asui together! Or at least so you can walk her home."
Izuku rubs the back of his head. "You really did a one-eighty, huh?"
"As your friend I want you to succeed." He clears his throat. "Okay, here it is. You, Uraraka and I usually leave school together right?"
"Right."
"At the end of the day I will ask Uraraka to help me take the trash and recycling to the dumpster."
"Okay."
"This will leave you an opening to ask Asui if she'd like to walk home with you. I don't think she waits for anybody, so you must act quickly."
"Sure."
"And then you will be her boyfriend."
"Um, I think we're missing a few steps… but that sounds like a plan!"
"Excellent! Then we will enact this plan when the final bell rings." He stands up, walks over to Izuku and offers his hand, pulling him off the ground as he accepts.
"Now!" He points brashly into space. "Back to class!"
Izuku activates Full Cowling; the two leap off across the roofs of the training grounds, leaving streaks of green light and puffs of dust in the wake of their steps.
In the surveillance room, Aizawa turns to his class to speak.
"You couldn't hear them but you could tell those two were communicating throughout the exercise. This is about collaboration and team decision, remember. Now that you've all seen one, let's get these over with. Asui and Aoyama, you're on standby, meet Midnight at warehouse three when she calls in."
Aizawa gives a glance to Izuku and Iida entering the room, charred and smelling of smoke. He says without turning,
"Good work."
Aoyama watches Tsuyu turn her head delicately towards Izuku, her eyes following him slump tired against a wall. She remains her attention on him, only flitting her gaze away when he looks up at the screens ahead of him. Aoyama smiles.
Midnight's voice fills the room:
"Eraser, can you send the other two down please?"
"You heard her." Aizawa says bluntly.
Asui and Aoyama leave the room quietly, clicking the door softly behind them.
"Alrighty, you two." Midnight yanks a knot into completion. "Good luck."
The sound of her heels clicking away, a door grating open and closed again, a bolt brought to its slot, leaving the students locked in the warehouse.
"Mademoiselle Asui, may I ask you a question?"
"Aoyama, call me Tsu."
"Mademoiselle Tsu, do you possibly fancy a certain green-haired garçon?"
Tsuyu's mouth slacks, surprised. Do I? I do right? I'm certainly attracted to him… and I do admire his strength and his resolve… and I really wanted him to kiss that jelly off my face this morning.
"Yes. I think I might like him. Kero."
"Oh, how honest! I was only wondering. I won't say a thing."
"Is it really that obvious?"
"Hmm, quite, yes. You're apt to stare but luckily Midoriya is quite unobservant of these things."
"Aoyama?"
"Yes." He sing-songs.
"What should I do?"
"Well Mademoiselle, that's up to you - but you have my full support."
"That's no help."
The speakers scream awake.
"Okay kiddos! Your simulation begins now! Twenty-five seconds to the hazard!"
"Aoyama, can you laser through the ropes?"
"Yes actually. I think somehow Madame Midnight forgot what my unforgettable Quirk was!"
In the surveillance room, Aizawa puts his hand over his face. He puts his finger to a button and speaks into a microphone.
"Midnight."
"Yes Eraser."
"Did you forget Aoyama's quirk?"
"He's the one possessed by the dark spirit right?"
Tokoyama brooding in the corner of the room: I am not possessed, I am a vessel of darkness.
"No Midnight. He can shoot lasers out of his belly button. He just shot through your ropes. He's untying Asui."
"I'll just introduce the hazard now, that'll slow them down."
"Don't bother, Asui just jumped them out through the hatch."
He sighs.
"It's fine. Just pay attention to the rest of them."
"Sorry Eraser!"
"It's okay. I don't care. Let's just - let's just finish these."
He leans away from the microphone and rubs his temples.
"It's fine. It's Friday. It's fine."
At the end of the day, the students of class 1-A sit weary and tumbled in their seats.
Mineta lies his head on the desk. "Man I can't believe we got the bees."
"Yes, the bees were very unpleasant." Todoroki says flatly, rubbing the welts on his neck.
"At least you didn't get the bomb like Kaminari and Jiro." He thumbs at Kaminari.
Kaminari perks up. "What'd you say? I can't hear anything cuz of the explosion."
Mina sinks in her chair. "I'm just glad it's over. I almost drowned in the flooding."
Saizawa slides through the door.
"Thankfully the bell should be ringing any minute. Good job today, if you have any lingering injuries please visit Recovery Girl. If you have any questions about today's exercise ask somebody else."
The school bells chime brightly, the end of the day. The students begin to shuffle and stand from their seats. Aizawa walks out.
"I'll see you all on Monday."
Iida makes a quick glance at Izuku, who nods in recognition. Iida straightens his arm towards Uraraka, gathering her things.
"Uraraka!"
She looks up happily.
"What is it Iida?"
He holds out a bag of recycling
"Would you assist me in taking out the class refuse? Let's be heroes for the environment!"
"Okay, sure."
She steps out of her seat and takes the bag, walking out of the door with Iida. He snaps his eyes to Izuku, then departs.
Tsuyu grabs her notebooks in her large hands and rises out of her seat, shuffling off into the hallway. Izuku follows, watching her hair bob lightly with her steps as she leads down the stairs towards the shoe cubbies. Tsuyu pulls her shoes out her slot and slips off her school loafers, sitting down to tie her other shoes on. She brings her knee up, her skirt tumbles down a slight, exposing the pale of her thigh.
Izuku blushes slightly, walking towards her. Iida gave you the chance, all you have to do is seize the moment! Approach her casually. Hey Tsu do you wanna walk home together? That's it, simple.
He nears, stepping lightly her way; her wide eyes tilt up to him.
"Izuku, kero, good job today."
"T-thanks Tsu. You did great too. Your pair got out the fastest out of everyone."
She finishes knotting her shoelaces and stands up.
"It would have been a lot harder if Midnight had remembered to avoid Aoyama's belt."
She puts her finger on her cheek. What should I do? I should make a move right? Just say what you're thinking. You have to be honest with yourself. Ask him if -
"H-hey Tsu-"
Her thoughts interrupted, she looks at Izuku, demure, freckles dark on his blushing skin, his hands tight on the straps of his backpack.
"Kero."
"Do you wanna walk home together?"
Tsuyu stands stunned, pleasantly surprised, a familiar heat rising through her. Izuku tries to smile, but it warbles in apprehension.
"I-I mean, we walk in the same direction right?"
She blinks. Play it cool Tsu.
"Sure, let's go." She picks up her bag, slinging it over her shoulder, and begins for the gates of UA. Izuku remains in place, astonished.
Tsuyu and Izuku walk along, side by side, too thoughtful to speak. The afternoon sun wanes, throwing peach light across the sidewalk.
Izuku sweats. Okay, I've made it this far. We're walking together. Now I just need to say something. Clench! Go!
"You know Tsu. I don't think I know a whole lot about you."
"Kero, well what do you want to know?"
He looks up thoughtfully. "Hmm, what's your favorite color?"
"Green, sort of like your hair." She points a finger at him.
Izuku blinks. She snaps her mouth closed, startled by what she said. What was that?! Deflect, do something!
"Uh, kero, what's your favorite color?"
Izuku brightens. "Gold! Like the flourishes on All Might's costume!"
She smiles. That was close. "You really like All Might don't you?"
"I do… It's my dream to be like him." Izuku smiles faintly, clenching his fist. He turns to Tsuyu.
"Being a Pro Hero is your dream too right? That's why you came to UA then?"
She nods.
"Ever since I was little. I want to be Japan's number one water hero."
"Woah! Like Gang Orca! What does your family think about that?"
"My parents are nervous about it, they don't want to see me get hurt after all, but they support me. My little brother and sister on the other hand think it's very cool that their big sis is going to be a Hero."
"It is cool! The number one water hero… so cool."
She catches him gazing off. "Izuku what is your family like?"
"Oh, well, I'm an only child, and dad's abroad for work so it's usually just my mom and I."
His eyes cast down and his hands tighten on the straps of his backpack. He smiles sadly.
"It can be kinda lonely sometimes."
Her big eyes soften with sympathy, recognizing in Izuku the familiar ache of a lonesome childhood, lunches spent alone and long wordless walks home. She looks his way, meets his gentle green eyes.
"Do you have my number Izuku?"
He stiffens.
"U-um, no, no I don't think so."
She puts out her hand. Izuku digs into his pocket for his phone, placing it in her palm; their fingertips graze, sending a flinch through both of their systems.
"If you're ever feeling lonely…"
Tsuyu's long fingers tap on the surface of the phone; coyness comes across her usually blank expression as she hands it back.
"... you could, kero, text me if you want."
An inkling of color daubs Izuku's cheekbones. His mouth rounds, surprised.
"S-sure."
Tsuyu stops. Izuku looks back.
"What's wrong?"
She points at the entrance of his train station.
"This is you right?"
He looks up. "Oh, I hadn't noticed." His hand raises to the back of his head. "Well, see you later. I'll, um, text you later. Bye."
She watches him walk away with a wave; she waves back. Good job Tsu. You did it.