12

Pretend

It was their first year at U.A. Asui was heading through the halls. She wanted to go to the support studio. "I wonder how Midoriya is getting along." She pondered. He had transferred to that department after losing his quirk. It was currently lunch period so everyone was at the dining hall.

The door slid open. Clutter, clang! She perked her eyes to the sound. The workshop was empty except for him. He also turned to the sound of the open door. "A-Asui!?" Quickly wiping his eyes and standing up. It looked like he had stumbled and fell from a commotion. He was trying to do more than he could again. She noticed his bloodshot eyes, red nose and salty trails that stained his cheeks. He was crying

"... Ribbit..."

"I, um, er, why are you here? Do you have a problem with your suit? I'm still learning but I can try."

She shook her head. "I just wanted to check on you?"

"Really?" He let out a laugh, rubbing the back of his head. "Why-, why would you do that?" His happy demeanor began to vanish as his hair covered his eyes. "Not even Uraraka bothers to..." He weakly dropped his arm to the side. "Hey, Asui?"

"Yes, Midoriya?"

"I'm, I'm still Deku, right?"

"Ribit?" Tsuyu had caught up to Uraraka. She was just standing in front of the door to Midoriya's and Hatsume's workshop.

"I've been standing here, the whole time. I... I can't even work up the nerve to open it." Uraraka began to speak, noticing her approach. "Hey, Tsuyu, why is that?"

"Ochaco..."

"Why can't I confront Deku with my honest emotions?" She begged with shadowed eyes.

Asui placed her hand on her shoulder. "We should probably talk somewhere else." She guided them to the closest restroom.

Tsuyu was by the sink while Uraraka was in a stall, drying her eyes. It was quiet until she spoke after blowing on a tissue. "Deku already told you about what happened last summer, didn't he?"

"Ochaco, maybe this isn't the best time to be asking."

"It's fine, after all, you're the only person he opens up to anymore, so I'm sure he told you."

Tsuyu sighed but admitted to it. "Yes, he did."

Uraraka let out an unheard gasp. "Hey, Tsuyu?"

"Yes, Ochaco?"

"Deku, has he told you anything? About me, I mean."

Tsuyu sighed again. "Don't do this to yourself."

"I just... I just miss him you know? We were always so..."

"I know... I know."

"But now you two are... And I don't know. I hate to say it but I'm jealous of you. Deku still treats you the same after all this time... I know I don't have the right to be angry, I avoided him, I can admit that but it just sucks..."

"Then be with him." She quickly interjected. Tsuyu herself was surprised by her words. "I mean, you can't keep wishing things were like back then. All you can do is be there for him." She let out the last sentence with barely a trace vulnerability.

But Uraraka heard it. Her lips parted. "Tsuyu... You don't like him, do you?"

Tsuyu's expression didn't change but she was quiet for a moment. "Ochaco, I'm his friend... Just like I'm yours." That's right, simply friends, to both of them.

"Then as your friend, can I ask one more thing?"

"Anything."

"Is there anything going on with him and Hatsume? I can't put my finger on it but he's been acting differently for a while now... He looks more tired lately and he's less focused, on me... I know it sounds insincere but he used to make the attempts but now."

"If that's the case then I think you need to start focusing on his feelings. Ochaco, I understand how you feel but that doesn't excuse the fact that he was still hurt... I hate to say it but you hurt him deeply by ignoring him all this time. And I don't think he's recovered."

"Gosh, Deku must hate me! I've been so unfair to him..." The tears were resurfacing.

"Ribit. He doesn't hate you. He's doesn't." Tsuyu didn't know where Midoriya stood when it came to Uraraka anymore but it's just not in Midoriya to hate someone. "You said it yourself right? Your gonna become a hero he can be proud of."

She opened the stall, stepping out. Tsuyu was right she had to be brave. "Yeah, I'll definitely give it my best! Thanks, Tsuyu."

Izuku had jaded orbs, staring at Todoroki. 'No, Momo wouldn't... She wouldn't do that.'

"Midoriya? Are you okay?"

"Nh, oh, um, no Todoroki. Sorry, I was just thinking about your predicament." He saved himself.

"Going off on one of your infamous mental rambles. So come up with anything?"

Izuku placed his hand to his chin. 'For now, I should just give Todoroki some advice. I'll ask Momo about it tonight... Do I have to though? Is it even my business?' Of course, it was but deep down he was honestly scared of the truth. Midoriya dropped his hand making his decision. "Todoroki, it's clear she was interested..." Saying that bit into him.

"Yeah, makes sense." He agreed.

"And it's clear you rejected her. Intentional or not." And Midoriya hated the small gratification he gained seeing Todoroki's expression deter slightly. The guilt slapped him twice as hard though.

"I... I suppose I did."

"Meaning that you're gonna have to try somewhat harder to regain her confidence in you. Be friendly to her and try to express your apology sincerely. Next chance you get, take it, okay?"

Todoroki thought for a moment then nodded. "Thank you, Midoriya. I don't know what I would do without you."

"Er, don't mention it."

"I'm serious. You're someone I know I can always rely on. I hope you feel the same towards me?"

Izuku couldn't look him directly in the eyes. It would have hurt too much. "Y-Yeah, Todoroki. You're one of my best friends." 'And I'm one of the worst.'

"Glad to hear. Wanna walk home together?"

"Um, sure why not?" And they began heading for the front of school, sharing Todoroki's umbrella.

"Oh, and I've been meaning to ask."

"Hm, what is it?"

"Is there anyone, in particular, you're interested in?"

Izuku choked in surprise, coughing and stumbling. "Wh-What? T-Todoroki, I- why are you asking?"

"It's just you've been so helpful in my endeavors, thought I could return the favor. My advice may not be good but I can listen."

Izuku stared up past the brim of the umbrella. "Anyone I like, huh?"

"Perhaps, Hatsume? You guys are close."

His cheeks flared at the mention of her name. "H-Hatsume!? L-Like I've said before, I mean, there is attraction b-but it's nothing!"

"I see, attraction doesn't equal romance."

Izuku lifted up his index finger in agreement. "Exactly! We just have mutual respect for one another."

"Uraraka, then?" Continuing the conversation with an unintended lack of respect towards Midoriya's feeling about having his personal matters as the subject.

Izuku's finger faltered, before dropping it. "Um, that's different... Uraraka and I, we have history."

"Hm, so history places a factor in this too?"

Izuku rose his index finger again in agreement. "Yeah. Ever since I transferred to the support course things have... been different for me and Uraraka."

"I see. Then I would have to guess, Asui."

'You just repeated the same list as last time!' Dropping his index finger with a cringe. "Tsuyu and I are just friends? I mean there was this one time when we-, er, please forget I said that. For the most part, I guess she's someone who's always been in my corner you know?"

This time Todoroki did understand. "I'm assuming it's like my relation to you. She's someone, whose friendship is irreplaceable."

"...Y-Yeah, Todoroki..."

"So if not any of them?"

'He is really pushing this subject..! But it honestly just looks like he's trying to gather data for dating! He's dense to a fault sometimes!' You are too, Izuku. You are too...

Deku caved again. He sagged his shoulders contemplating the question. They did share a train ride in the morning, today. "I guess if anyone, Yui?" Asking himself. 'I mean if not Momo...'

Todoroki lifted his eyebrow. "Yui? Yui Kodai?" He waited for Midoriya to nodded his head then continued. "That's strange, I don't recall you two really interacting."

Midoriya gave out an uneasy chuckle. "Oh, you know, it's probably a passing crush. I do work on her suit personally. That's kind of how we met." He cringed accidentally. "She usually has a cold stare I don't understand. It's kind of scary."

Todoroki placed his hand to his chin in thought. "I didn't know you were a masochist, Midoriya."

"Why do you know that but not a thing about common sense dating?!" Izuku slapped the air with comically blank eyes.

They were reaching the front gates of school, both noticing her standing there, waiting for someone. Izuku gave some last minute advice.

She sighed to herself again that day for who knows how many times. She was twiddling her umbrella, waiting. 'Today... T-Today, I'm going to ask I-Izuku to walk me home!' School had settled down since being over but she was aware he usually stayed a little later than most. Her heart rate had increased ever since she resolved herself to her goal.

Her ears perked having heard his voice. She took a breath to calm herself before turning to him... and Todoroki. 'No! But it wasn't supposed to go like this! I wanted Izuku to walk me home!' Mentally whining because her chance was blown.

She forced herself to recover. She politely smiled as they approached her. "Hello, Todoroki, Midoriya."

"Yaoyorozu, a pleasant surprise. I figured your driver would have taken you home by now." Todoroki initiated a conversation per Midoriya's advice.

"Hey, Yaoyorozu." Izuku almost whispered it.

Momo's eyes slightly widened at the lack of affection and woven doubt. When they were proper like this, he always had a somewhat hint of joy, sneaking sweet eye contact and a quick playful smirk if he could. But what was this? She scanned between him and Todoroki. 'Todoroki must have talked to Izuku again... Poor Izuku he must be feeling as bad as last time.' She was going to make double sure to reassure him tonight but right now she had to play the part.

"Ah, I sent him away. I just wanted to enjoy the beautiful weather we're having." She held out her hand, trying to catch a droplet.

"Really? I thought you would be one who liked sunsets." Todoroki was doing his best to keep it going.

"Surprisingly perceptive Todoroki. I do in fact enjoy them." She smiled politely at him but the back of her mind was dreading this. 'No, please don't tell me...'

Todoroki gripped his fist shut taking the initiative. He was definitely going to say it. "Yaoyorozu, do you want to walk-"

"Hey Deku! Let's walk home together! It's been ages since we have!" Uraraka tackled him into a hug from behind.

"U-Uraraka?! Huh? Sure if you want." He yelled surprised at first then he reacted subconsciously to her question, turning his head back to her. She happily giggled at his response, bouncing on the tip of her toes, still holding him.

Momo almost drew blood from her nails because of how hard she was squeezing her fist shut. She was too close to him. Her uniform blouse was wet and her chest was rubbing against his back.

"W-Wait, U-Uraraka, were you crying? Your eyes are bloodshot and you're cheeks-"

"No silly, I was just exhausted from hero exercises today!" She quickly tossed aside his concern.

This frustrated Momo more and more. She didn't want to see this but couldn't look away. He interrupted her thoughts. "It feels like we're in the way. Let me walk you home." Todoroki took the opportunity.

Yaoyorozu slowly turned to him, returning to her former demeanor. "Yes, that would be best. Thank you."

"Be safe guys!" Uraraka was ecstatic to be alone with Midoriya. Today she wasn't going to back down from her own fears.

"We will be, oh bother it looks like neither of you have an umbrella. Here, you can borrow mine." Momo stepped close to Izuku. She handed it to him, starting with that transparency of a smile. "You can just return it to me," as their hands touched she mouthed the words, "Tonight." Showing him that beloved smile.

His eyes grew and his condensed breath escaped out into the cold. His eyes regained that shine for a moment.

That was all that needed to be shared between them.

They said their goodbyes and began to walk their separate ways. Todoroki and Momo had a graceful aura, no matter his nerves nor Momo's awareness of his actions. Deku and Uraraka had a cheerful atmosphere even if their friendship was beyond strained. Both sides doing their best to act natural.

Because that's how it was supposed to be, right?

She had witnessed it all.

Yui Kodia was standing at the front steps of U.A. She had looked on with an emotionless stare, assuming all their actions. Looking at the play they were performing for their own sakes.

"Boring."