In the morning, Tsuyu is fresh awake and newly out of bed, fixing her hair in the bathroom mirror. In one of her hands, she bundles the lengths of her deep green hair and bands it into a ponytail high on the back of her head. The clock on her phone, laid beside her on the sink, informs the time to be 8 AM - fifteen minutes to her meet time with Mina at the park. Taking a final glance in the mirror, she slinks out of the bathroom, making sure to stay quiet, and tiptoes to her front door. Stepping into sneakers at the doorway, she exits her house quietly, minding her still sleeping siblings, into the crisp atmosphere.
It's colder than Tsuyu expects - still waxing springtime. The news had said that the temperature would swell today and that even in the morning, the air would be muggy and hot to the skin. She had dressed for that weather anticipated and came outside in a lime green sports bra and short black shorts, showing much more midriff and thigh than she'd usually feel comfortable with.
Chilly. Too chilly for this outfit. I was hoping the sun would be a little stronger and I could get a little color since I'm so pale. She rubs at her arms. Goosebumps begin to prickle on her parchment-tinted skin. It'll be alright. Once I start biking I'll warm up. She picks up her bike lying in the yard and walks out of the gate, swinging it shut behind her. Mounting and settling into stride, Tsuyu begins to pedal her way to the park where she'll meet Mina.
As she zooms along the road, Tsuyu watches the day around her unfold and brighten. An elderly couple on a walk give her a passing wave. A little dog yips at her excitedly. Flowers along the road ripen and bloom, fanning their color and fragrance out. The day cheers along and Tsuyu smiles.
Everything is feeling so nice right now. The world is in perfect order. I don't feel like any villains are out there or any catastrophes are forming. I don't even feel like I'm going to training, I just feel happy. It might be a little brisk, but I'm all fuzzy inside. She pivots her handlebars sharply, and swoops right.
I don't know why though. I've done nothing out of the ordinary and the school week was mostly the same. Mostly. The only thing different is… him. Izuku's been in my thoughts for these past couple days now. She extends her legs into her pedals and rises out of her seat, letting her body break into the wind.
Him texting me has been the most exciting thing since the villains attacked us at the USJ. Our conversation had me at my edge. I spent all of last night blushing. It was so bad I just stayed in my room, rolling on my bed giddily each time I got a reply.
I'm so glad he texted me. The object of my affection, asking me about my birthday. My favorite food. Wanting to know everything about me. I feel desired in proximity to him, I feel wanted near him, as if he were desperate to have any little bit of me. Nobody ever paid attention to me in school before, but now it feels so good to have somebody maybe interested in me. If only he knew that I was so into him, that I wanted him right there at my hip, my head on his shoulder and his face in my hair.
Last night was as close as I'll ever get to that. I felt like with every message I was sidling a little closer to him, until we were almost touching. I usually have pretty good self-restraint, but right now I can barely hold this feeling in. I just want to get next to him and I wanna feel him near me and I want to put my hands around him and hold him close to me. I want to see him. I can't even wait until school, there's something erupting inside of me, an urge I can't quite restrain.
This has happened so quickly. He was only a classmate a week ago, but now he's the source of passion in my life. I have dreams, sure. I want to be a Hero more than anything, but right now, I want this, I want him. And the great thing is that i can have both. I don't have to choose.
Before she even realizes it, Tsuyu reaches her destination, coasting into the parking lot where she's to meet Mina. As upon agreement, her pink-haired friend is waiting beside her own bike, idling on her phone, looking at ease as her wont too. Tsuyu rides in near to her, starling her to attention. She dismounts besides her expecting friend. Mina piques as Tsuyu nears, throwing her hand up in greeting.
"Tsuyu, good morning!"
"Good morning Mina."
Tsuyu dismounts from her bike, stepping into a walk as she hits the ground, approaching Mina, pink hair tufted and wild, dressed in a similar get-up to Tsuyu. Her dark eyes are excited to see her friend arrived.
"What's it gonna be today Tsu? How's five or six miles sound? We gotta get these beach bods ready." She gives a light slap to her own taut stomach.
Tsuyu replies in deadpan. "Mina, we're in fantastic shape. We're some of the most physically able people in Japan."
"Haha, I know. I'm just kidding. You look great by the way. You got your tummy out and everything."
She prods Tsuyu in the stomach with a curious finger; Tsuyu watches blankly as her friend inspects her midriff.
"Mina, what are you doing?"
"Oh, I'm just checking you out."
Mina leans back and takes a long squint at Tsuyu.
"Tsu, have your boobs always been that big?"
Tsuyu brings her big hands up to cover herself instinctively.
"Uh, I've been working on my posture. They just stick out more."
"Tsu, put your hands down! There's nothing to be ashamed about. I'm sure Izuku would love a peek at what I'm seeing."
Tsuyu squirms under Mina's gaze.
"Mina, stop, this is embarrassing."
"How'd things go with him anyways? Did he text you?"
Tsuyu keeps her guard up, leaving her hands in a defensive position.
"Yes, he did. We had a nice, long conversation."
"Oh Tsu! You got shy, little Izuku to come out of his shell a little bit. What'd you two talk about."
"A little bit of everything. We talked about our families and the foods we like and we showed each other our sketches of our Hero costumes. It was nice. I feel like I know him a lot better now."
Mina smiles smugly.
"Tsu, what did I tell you. It's all about communication." She claps Tsuyu's back. "So now what? Where are we going from here?"
Tsuyu brings one hand up and rests her pointer on her cheek.
"I'm not sure. I wasn't even totally confident he'd text me at all. This is going a lot smoother than I expected."
Mina grabs Tsuyu's shoulders.
"Tsuyu! This is a great chance. You gotta take lead here! We know Izuku can be pretty timid, but you're very forthright. It's your greatest strength. I suggest you make the first moves from here on out Tsu. Fortune favors the bold! Sun Tzu wrote that!"
"No, I think that's a Latin proverb."
"That doesn't matter. You gotta strike while the iron's hot! So you softened him up a little bit, you coaxed him out of his shell. Now you gotta break through to his heart! Yes Tsu! His heart!"
"Mina, you're shouting." She looks around nervously for passersby.
Mina advances without relent. "So what's it gonna be, Tsu?"
Tsuyu's finger hangs thoughtfully at the corner of her mouth; she looks Mina head-on.
"I want this to happen."
"Yes Tsu!"
"I'm going to pursue."
"Damn straight Tsu!"
"I'm going to ask him out."
"Yes Tsu! You're on a roll!"
"Okay, okay, it's still early but I'll text him after our run and ask him out somewhere. I have a suspicion he doesn't have any plans for tonight."
Mina rockets her fist into the air.
"Tsu, you madwoman! What bravery! What poise! Let's go Tsu! I can't contain my excitement! Let's go!"
She grabs Tsuyu by the hand and leads her into a trot, the beginning of their run.
Izuku is sprawled in his bed, drooling lightly into his sheets when he hears the rumblings of a conversation outside of his bedroom.
Curious, he picks his head out of the divot in his pillow and steps out of his bed towards his door. As he opens his bedroom door, he looks towards his house entrance to see his mother greeting an unknown visitor, saying niceties, morning pleasantries. Through the muffle and the haze of Izuku's waking perception he can pick out a the voice of his friend Iida, loud and clear, as well as the voice of his mother, still sleepy and slow.
"Mrs. Mirdoriya, I've come to wake Izuku for some morning training, would you please awake him?"
"Oh, are you a friend of Izuku's?"
"That's right ma'am. I am his colleague and comrade Tenya Iida. Nice to meet you."
He bows deeply, forehead nearly touching his shins.
"Nice to meet you. You must be the funny one he talks about. With the hands."
"I'm afraid I'm not sure what you're talking about."
Izuku steps into the hallway, into Iida's line of sight, groggily. He wipes at his eyes and speaks to his classmate sleepily through a yawn.
"Tenya what are you doing here?"
Iida pokes his head around Mrs. Midoriya.
"Oh, good morning Midoriya! Let's get some weekend training in! Let's run!"
Izuku's mother looks at them both confusedly, still in her pajamas.
"Why didn't you tell me you wanted to work out together beforehand?"
"A Hero's life is unexpectant, Midoriya. You can't always expect a warning."
"That's fair, I guess."
"Will you join me, Midoriya?"
"Sure, just let me change."
"I knew I could count on you Midoriya. Mineta wouldn't even open the door."
Mrs. Midoriya pipes up.
"It was nice to meet you Iida. I'm going back to bed. I'll see you when you're back Izuku. Have fun!" She shuffles away into her bedroom.
"I'll be back, just give me a minute please."
Izuku returns to his room and pushes his bushy hair from his face, confronting the realization that he's starting his weekend without even a chance to sleep in. Yet he shuffles out of his pajamas and into a t-shirt and running shorts, totters into the bathroom and brushes his teeth, sleepily, slowly, spitting weakly into the sink. His head bobs and wavers, but his body moves, already used to early morning training sessions. Back in his bedroom, scarred hands pull socks over his feet and he shambles towards Iida, eyelids beginning to open and realize.
"Midoriya, you don't look entirely alive."
"Sorry, IIda, it's just that I've been pretty preoccupied this week. I was looking forward to resting easy."
"You'll thank me after we're done, there's no better way to start the day then with a little exercise." He holds out his hand. "Now Izuku, come with me!"
"I'm not going to take your hand, but yes, I'm coming."
He steps outside and closes the door behind him. Yawning, he says:
"So where are we going?"
"To the park Midoriya. I'll race you there!"
He darts away from Izuku, down the stairs of the apartment complex.
"Wait Iida! I don't know where we're going!"
And he chases quickly after.
Finished with their run, Izuku and Iida are stretching in a clearing at the park, touching fingertips to toes, pulling their arms across their chests. Sweat pools at their collars and shines in their hair. Izuku stands satisfied in the breeze.
"You know what Iida? I'm glad you woke me up for this. I feel pretty energized and it's a lovely day."
"I told you Izuku. A proper run is good for the heart in every way."
Izuku smiles at Iida's enthusiasm and continues to stretch, twisting his tired muscles, limbering. As he does so, he sees out in the fringe of his vision, a familiar head of pink hair and even more familiar green-haired girl. Iida notices at the same time he does and calls out without hesitation, cupping his hands around his mouth.
"Ashido! Asui!"
He waves and beckons them over; they oblige and make their way. As they come closer into vision, Izuku can see Tsuyu's figure with better clarity. Her skin is pale and smooth like candle wax and her long legs are gracefully muscled, but still visibly supple. His vision dapples from the top of her knee to the hem of her short shorts; he lets his eyes swim in the milkiness of her thighs. In an instant he feels the urge to press his face into her lap. He wonders if Tsuyu has noticed him checking her out, but he risks another look higher, her breasts cupped in spandex, flushing against the lime-green fabric.
This sight pipes blood and endorphin excitedly through Izuku, engorging a stiffy that presses through his underwear and begins to tent the loose fabric of his running shorts. Izuku reddens immediately, suddenly aware of his obvious, visible arousal - still rising to attention. Mina and Tsuyu and Iida are still chattering, their minds and eyes on the conversation, thankfully for Izuku - sweating, panicking at the thought of an errant look his way.
Aaah! Stop! Stop it! I couldn't bear it if somebody saw me like this! Mina and Tsuyu would point and scream and call me a pervert and all the progress I'd made with Tsu would be out the window. What if she took one look and laughed? Iida would definitely call the cops on me for public indecency. I'd die. If they see me, I couldn't go to school again… I couldn't ever show my face at UA. I'd have to drop out and go to another hero school. My dream! Ruined by my own stupid dick! But I just can't help it, she looks so good right now, so ripe. I have to think of something else. Remember when you broke your fingers? How about your legs? Think about pain, not pleasure. Remember your busted legs, flapping in the wind as you dove to your apparent death. Please boner, please go away.
As if on terrible cue, Tsuyu swings her head towards stiff Izuku, eyes gliding to his position.
No Tsuyu! Please keep talking to Mina, don't look over here!
Izuku throws himself to the ground, sits quickly, and brings his knees to his chest, covering himself best he can, hoping that his body will settle and comply. Tsuyu faces Izuku, now sitting neatly in the grass. She puts a finger thoughtfully to her chin.
Was he always sitting down? Hmm. Oh! But this is a great chance! I can sit with him and we can talk while Iida and Mina are occupied. Okay, let's approach him. Smile at him, curl the cheeks, and there, I think, sometimes I can't tell. Say something now.
She steps his way slowly, hands behind her back, and the smallest simper on her mouth.
"Hi Izuku."
Izuku looks up at her, standing in front of him. The sun shines behind her, illuminating the edges of her silhouette. Sunlight glistens in her hair. Rhinestones of sweat dots her arms, legs and midriff, pale and contoured, slender muscle under soft skin. In all, she shines before him, radiant. He stares with enormous eyes, enveloped in her glowing presence.
Tsuyu notices his He's just looking at me.
She points a finger to herself.
"Do I have something on my face?"
Izuku rattles back to attention and then reddens realizing that he'd been staring at Tsuyu. He feels his erection still pressing against his leg and blushes with even more color, wrapping his arms around his knees in shielding.
"No! I was just, um, looking at you. Sorry." He gulps. That was too honest! But you look like art right now Tsuyu!
Now Tsuyu begins to blush, a patter begins to sound in her heart. That was an odd response… but it wasn't unwelcome. Maybe Izuku really is interested in me?
"Oh. Kero. Um, I don't mind. May I sit next to you?"
She stretches a long digit downward, to the spot of turf beside Izuku, a little plat of plush grass. A right throne for green, gracely Tsuyu. Izuku makes a vigorous nod and she shows a giggle at his enthusiasm. He's warmed up to me nicely, he's not so nervous anymore, and he can look at me without swatting his eyes away. We're definitely getting somewhere.
She turns away briefly and, as she makes to sit, bringing her backside down first, Izuku smuggles a look at her bending spandex-wrapped butt. He feels a flash of guilt for the way he gazes upon her with lust, for the way he sneaks glances behind her back to satisfy an urge instinctual and bodily. And yet through that shadow of shame, he feels at the inner surface of his thigh a rod of spongy heat: his erection strengthening, searing like a beacon. Tsuyu settles next to Izuku turning her head to him.
Sly, dark-eyed Mina watches the whole thing and grins to see Tsuyu making moves in confidence, closing in on her objective, taking the path of least resistance. She always admired Tsu for how competently she conducted herself, without flourish, directly and efficiently. Tsu was a fine foil to her own brash and outlandish style; she liked her as a contrast, in the same way that a polka dot needed a plain field of color to pop. She considered Tsu a dear friend, closer than many of the other girls at UA. Mina resolved herself to help Tsu to what she wanted; she had promised after all. She holds up a finger in pause.
"Iida, hold on a second."
"What is it Ashido?"
"I wanna race you. Without Quirks, of course."
"Naturally! I'll show you that even without my Boosters I'm quite formidable. You're on, Ashido!"
"Uh huh, great." She pivots to Tsuyu and Izuku on the lawn. "Hey you two, I'm going to beat Iida in a race over there, like way over there, pretty much out of sight. So, we'll be going."
She and Iida walk away.
"Such arrogance will be your downfall Ashido! I'll show you speed incarnate!"
Soon they meander out of sight, leaving Tsu and Izuku sitting alone in the morning breeze. It dances atop the grass and cools through their green hair.
"It's pretty nice today, huh?" He tries desperately to keep his mind out of a desirous tangent, he wants to be there, relaxed, next to Tsu. The wind soothes on his anxious, sweating skin but he swelters inside.
Tsuyu nods. "I'm glad Mina asked me to get up early, even if I really wanted to sleep in."
"I'm happy I'm here too but having Iida show up at my house was pretty stressful."
"That sounds terrible."
"He woke my mom up too but she was happy that one of my friends came to visit our house."
"Have you not had friends over to your house before?"
"Uh, no, not really. I mean I didn't have too many friends before UA."
"Me neither, I only ever hung out with Habuko."
"I'm glad our class is so friendly."
"Yeah, except Bakugo."
"Ah, well, he can be… difficult."
"He's kind of a jerk."
"You've voiced that feeling before."
Tsuyu faces Izuku directly, saying flatly.
"I don't like the way he treats you."
Izuku's mouth opens in surprise. It sounds like - she cares about me? She sounds almost defensive.
"Well, we're fated rivals, our relationship is rocky, but I think I need him to push me."
"That doesn't make sense to me. You should be around people that care about you."
Now almost a glare develops on her usually placid face, the smallest furrow in her slight eyebrows. Why am I getting so worked up right now? I just don't want Bakugo being so cruel to Izuku. I don't want him to lay a hand a on him.
"I'm sorry Tsu, but this is something I know I have to do. But I'll beat him someday soon. Don't worry."
Her face relaxes. "You promise?"
"Serious?"
"Yeah, do you promise?" She extends a pinky to him, her face plain and serious.
Izuku reflects for a moment. When I decided I would be a Hero, I vowed that I would do whatever it took to reach the top. This was something I promised to myself and my mom and All Might. But now Tsu's here, and she's cheering me on too and I've got this feeling that I want to make her happy and make her proud. She wants to see me succeed. And I want her to be there when I do.
His eyes swing to hers and he reaches his pinky out to meet hers. Their two fingers hook and curl into one another, skin squeezing against skin. Tsuyu watches Izuku's face waver and color, and she can't help herself but blush at his bashfulness. She can feel a smile begin to build under the mask of her expression. Ah, he's adorable. It's so nice to be able to touch him finally. I've closed the distance between us. When it used to be just glances and sighs, now we're here, pinky to pinky. He's still kind of clammy, but he's warm.
"Izuku, I was wondering."
Their fingers still enlaced. His face slackens surprised.
"What's up?"
"I was wondering if you were doing anything tonight?"
"Am I doing anything?"
"Yeah, do you have plans?"
"No! I have no plans. None at all."
"Okay, well, neither do I. Would you want to hang out?"
"Hang out."
"Yes, hang out."
"Just you and I."
"Yes." Please, Izuku just say yes.
"What are we gonna do?"
"Yes or no."
He stammers an answer out. "Uh, yes, yes! I'd love to hang out."
"Okay, great." Whew, that was harder than I thought. He can be so inconclusive! But that's sorta what's cute about him, his lack of poise. It's endearing.
Izuku hasn't really registered what's happened, he remains preoccupied with not embarassing himself in front of Tsuyu. He sees Iida and Mina returning from their race.
"Oh, those two are back. I wonder who won?"
Tsuyu, still stuck in her thoughts, looks up to see Mina grinning wide and Iida trailing a step behind, scowling. Mina waves and gives a little wink to Tsuyu.
"You guys! I smoked Iida!"
Iida clenches his fist and looks out into the horizon.
"You have formidable speed Ashido. I'll train hard to overcome your quickness!"
Mina pays him no mind and looks to Tsuyu.
"Let's get out of here and get some coffee or breakfast or something. I'm starving!"
Tsuyu gets out of the grass and walks towards Mina, already starting to leave. She turns to say goodbye to Izuku, holding her hand up to wave.
"I'll text you soon okay? See you then."
Mina smiles at Izuku and Iida.
"See you guys later!"
She and Mina stroll of to their bikes and Izuku watches Tsuyu's ponytail bob away, a dreamy look on his face.
Iida stands before Izuku.
"I say we follow suit Midoriya. A balanced breakfast is essential to our success."
Izuku shakes out of his daze. "Ah, sure, let's go."
He begins to stir from his seat before realizing the hot pressure still jabbing through his shorts. It might be a while before the passion leaves his body and he's good to get up.
He looks up red-faced to Iida.
"Actually Iida, I think I'm going to relax here another minute."