I am not dead!
Also, manga spoilers. They are slight, only 167 and 168, but there might be two paragraphs that might not make much sense.
"What do you want to talk about, Aoyama?" Uraraka asked nervously. Much like how a zebra would ask a crocodile what did they want for dinner.
A very sparkly and possibly French crocodile...
"I want to talk about the dance, mademoiselle," Aoyama asked with a fierce wink.
Wait.
WAIT.
Oh no. How could she not have foreseen this? She had publicly announced she wasn't in love with Deku and wasn't planning on asking him to the dance.
Which meant she didn't publicly have a date to the dance.
She was fair game.
Uraraka had always thought Aoyama had her pegged on her crush on Deku. But what if that wasn't the real case? What if he was just probing to find out if SHE had a crush on someone? What if the reason Aoyama has been hanging out with Deku so often recently, was because he was trying to get close to her by proxy!?
A quick memory flashed in her mind of their first day of class. Aoyama had been trying to talk to her then. She didn't think much of it then but what if?
Then that would mean Aoyama was trying to…
"I'm sorry but I don't want to go to the dance with you! I don't even know anything about France! I've never had brie and I don't even know why it's different than cheddar! I'm not old enough to drink wine!" Uraraka flailed her arms out as she vomited out her rejection.
Her eyes widened in horror as she realized what she just said. Uraraka quickly turned around and crouched on the floor, hiding away her shame ridden face.
Oh, god. She had just blurted out the most horrible rejection she could possibly think of. Stupid brain! Where was the option to turn off the panic button? Also, where was the option to turn off her dumb thought program!?
Uraraka let out a strangled, embarrassed wail.
"Brie is often much sweeter and is of a softer texture than cheddar."
Uraraka slowly turned around and faced Aoyama who still stood there with a sparkling smile on his face.
"Umm."
"I am not asking you out to the dance, mademoiselle."
"Oh, that's a relief." Uraraka's widened. Oh god, she just said that out loud! Oh no, Aoyama must be so offended!
"I completely understand! After all, it isn't so easy to live up to my sparkle!"
…
Just roll with it.
"Yeah! I didn't want to… umm, outshine you or something?"
"Outshine!? Oh, mademoiselle, I had no idea you had such humor in you!"
Hey, she could be shiny if she wanted to!
"So, why do you want to talk about the dance, Aoyama?"
"Ah, yes! I've noticed that you've lost your je ne sais quoi today."
"My je ne say what?"
"Your sparkle!"
Uraraka gave him a flat look. "I have literally no idea what you're talking about."
Aoyama gave her a coy look. "I think there's something you're not telling the truth about, Uraraka. Something to do with a particular classmate of ours, perhaps?"
Uraraka looked like a deer caught in the headlights of a jetliner.
"I-I have no idea what you're talking about. I don't like Midoriya! No, I like…" Oh no! Why did she say like! Quick, think of something!
"Gravity!" Brain, whyyyyy?
"Gravity? Wouldn't that go against your quirk?"
"It's complicated."
"It must be mademoiselle! Considering, I didn't bring up Midoriya at all."
Eep!
"Umm, well you see I, uhh." Uraraka fumbled for something to say; all the while, Aoyama continued to stare at her with that knowing smile of his.
Ugh, what's the point?
"Okay! I like Deku. Happy?"
"Oui, oui, Uraraka!"
"Are you even French?"
"Cela n'a pas d'importance!"
"...Ok?"
"And why are you not also competing in the Deku Bowl, Uraraka?"
Uraraka sighed as she stared at the floor with a forlorn expression. "Because it's not the right time. Things are too chaotic with everyone and I was hoping for my confession to be a little more… simple, you know?"
Uraraka started to twiddle with her index fingers. "I've never confessed to anyone before let alone date anyone. I just never imagined my first love would be so complicated."
"Many things in life are, Mademoiselle."
"Yeah, but I don't think many things are as complicated as this, Aoyama! Don't you think it might be easier if I hold my feelings back and wait till next time?"
"Easier, oui. But better? Non!"
"But I-"
"Did you know I was born with a defective quirk?"
Uraraka stared at Aoyama in shock. "D-defective?"
"I've had to constantly wear a support belt since I was born. If I didn't, then sometimes my navel laser would leak out!"
"Aoyama, I'm so sorry."
"Ne t'inquiètes pas! I am still here, am I not?" Aoyama flashed her a smile, causing her to do the same. "I could have done something else and it may have been easier. But I am most happy to have worked to get here!" He finished with a striking pose that caused Uraraka to laugh.
"Well, that's true. But I'd have to compete against Jiro and Hagakure, not to mention Todoroki! How am I supposed to compete against him? He's all pretty and mysterious and stuff. Also, why do you want me to compete so bad?"
Aoyama gave her a thumbs up. "Because if I cannot have him myself, then I want the next best thing for him!"
Wait, WHAT?
Just how many people in their class had a crush on Deku!
Her shock must have shown on her face because Aoyama broke out in a hearty laugh. "Of course I loved him, mademoiselle! Like me, he also had a quirk that did not suit his body. Still, I was taken back by how much he still fought to succeed! He is a very admirable person, Uraraka."
Well, that is true. Still, that begs the question:
"Then why are you not competing in the Deku Bowl yourself, Aoyama?"
"Ah, you see, I was rejected."
"You were!? When did you even ask him?"
"I never got the chance. For he rejected all of my advances."
Advances? Wait a minute…
"A-are you talking about the time you fed him cheese and left a bunch of cheese on his balcony in the middle of the night?"
"Oui! What better way to show my love than with the finest of delicacies? Unfortunately, he did not respond well to my flirtations and I surrendered my pursuit."
Yeah! Because Deku was super weirded out and had no idea what was going on!
"Aoyama, did you ever think that maybe Midoriya didn't realize you were flirting with him? I mean, he didn't realize Todoroki was asking him out until he explicitly said it."
…
Aoyama stared at her for a long moment.
"I didn't think about that."
Uraraka facepalmed.
"It's no matter, mademoiselle! For now, I will throw my efforts into your corner!"
"Look, Aoyama, I appreciate it but I still don't think-"
"Do you not love Midoriya, Uraraka?"
Uraraka's face burned a bright red.. "I-I mean, i-it's a little too soon and I don't even-"
"Do you want to go to the dance with him?"
"W-well yeah, I do but-"
"Do you not think he's fighting for?"
"Of course he is!"
"Then why aren't you?"
"Because! Because… well umm. I-I…" Uraraka hung her head low with a heavy sigh. "It's just so much. It's so overwhelming with everyone going after him as well."
Aoyama gave her a sparkling, gentle smile. "Do you know why I am choosing you over the others, Uraraka? I'm choosing you because I think you would be the best fit for him."
Uraraka looked up at Aoyama weakly. "You do?"
"Of course! Midoriya needs someone compassionate and above all, someone to encourage him to do his best. You constantly cheer him at every opportunity with a huge grin on your face and he's so thankful for it. And while I don't doubt the others feelings, love is a bit more than that!"
Aoyama gave her the biggest, most dazzling smile she had seen. "It's about becoming the best person you can be because the other person makes you want to. And Uraraka, I think you, more than anyone else, would do that for Midoriya!"
Uraraka stared at Aoyama in shock.
"Wow, that… that was really sweet, Aoyama." Uraraka never thought that Aoyama could be so… well, thoughtful.
"You don't have to tell me how brilliant my words are, mademoiselle. I am the one blessed with their creation after all!"
And like that, the moment was ruined.
Still, Aoyama was right, a relationship is just as much about the other person as it was herself. There had been a lot of talk about how much everyone loves Deku, but not a lot of talk about which person would be best for him. They'd all been too focused on their own feelings, and with Deku not having any idea what to do, they'd been given free rein to do so. But even if he doesn't know what he wants, Uraraka was close enough to Deku to know what he'd appreciate.
She looked over to Aoyama who looked back with that same sparkling smile.
Uraraka smiled back.
Deku would appreciate her.
"I'm in."
"Fabulous! Now, we must tell the world!"
"Wait, what?"
Before Uraraka could fully understand what was going on, Aoyama bent back and shot out his laser into the night sky, lighting up the area in a brilliant, embarrassing gleam.
Much to Uraraka's chagrin, it did not go unnoticed.
A figure burst out of a nearby bush with blistering speed. It was huge, a giant beast at least eight-foot tall on its hind-legs. Roaring muscles covered every inch of its body and its eyes burned red in the full moon. Snarling, vicious teeth made Uraraka's and Aoyama's eyes widen in terror.
They were in big trouble.
"WHAT ARE YOU STUDENTS WOOF, WOOF HOOOOOWWWLLLL!?"
Hound Dog waited for their response.
"Umm, I'm sorry sir, I don't-"
Hound Dog let out a low growl causing something to shatter.
Uraraka realized it was her new found courage.
Eep!
Iida burst through the front doors. "Aoyama! What is the mat-"
"BARK!" Hound Dog snapped at Iida instantly silencing him. Uraraka noticed that much of their class was huddled behind Iida with worry painted along their faces.
Hound Dog drew in a deep breath, calming him down.
"I am sorry, Class 1-A representative, Iida. I saw the light and quickly rushed over her to see what was the matter and only found these two engaged in, in, grrr, WOOF WOOF."
Wait, wait no! Don't woof there! Now it's going to sound like-
"Oh, oh, oh! Engaged in what?" Kaminari wiggled his eyebrows suggestively at the two of them.
Iida gasped in shock. "Uraraka! Are you and Aoyama?!"
"No!"
"Non! It would take someone much more brilliant to capture this shooting star!"
Uraraka gave him a flat look. Rude.
"Then why are you both out here?"
"WOOF WOOF BARK!"
"Umm, well I. Uhh."
Aoyama shot his hand up to the sky. "Everyone Uraraka has an announcement to make!"
Uraraka shot Aoyama betrayed look. Really? Here? NOW?
Everyone stared at her.
Uraraka stared back.
And stared.
And stared.
"HURRY BARK!"
Uraraka jumped. She quickly looked around for some sort of escape but instead found the eyes of Aoyama who stared at her with that same sparkling smile filled with confidence.
Confidence that she needed now more than ever.
Uraraka took in a deep breath.
"I'm joining the Deku Bowl."
"Uraraka! That makes me so happy!" Iida quickly rushed forward and spun Uraraka around in a tight hug.
"Oh come on! Is there any girl not involved in the Dekubowl?!" Kaminari let out a huge yelp of pain as Jiro slammed her fist on top of his head.
"Don't ruin the moment, Dumbnari."
"You know, I pulled out of the running, Kaminari," Yaoyorozu said.
"Wait, really?! Do you want to go to the dance with me?"
"Oh, no. I'm sorry Kaminari, but I don't like you in that way."
Kaminari collapsed to the ground, his spirit annihilated by Yaoyorozu's polite refusal.
Jiro gave her friend a sly smile. "I'm so happy we're friends, Momo."
Yaoyorozu returned the smile in kind. "Me too, Kyoka."
"I-Iida, this is really nice, but I think you're making me nauseous."
Iida gently put Uraraka back on the ground. "Oh! I am so sorry Uraraka! I just got carried away by my excitement at you finally admitting your true feelings!"
Uraraka gasped. "You mean, you knew?"
"Oh, no. I had no idea."
Uraraka nearly fell to the floor.
"Well, if you are entering the race now it must mean that you had these feelings before and were holding them back, yes?"
Uraraka regained her composure. "Uh, yes, actually. That's exactly what happened."
Iida smirked as he pushed up his glasses, causing them to gleam in the light.
What a dork. Uraraka laughed.
Asui slowly walked up to her. "If you don't my me asking, ribbit, what made you change your mind?"
Uraraka looked at Aoyama. "A good friend gave me some... fabulous advice."
Aoyama gave her a bedazzled thumbs up.
"Damn, this is going to affect the betting pool."
Everyone turned to look at Hound Dog.
"What are you talking about, sir?" Jiro said as her eyes narrowed in an accusatory manner.
Sweat began to drop from his fur.
"W-what? I-I d-didn't say...umm. Woof. Woof! Now you student, grr, better behave yourselves! Howl!"
The entire class stared at him.
Hound Dog coughed.
"Forget I said anything."
Hound Dog dove into the bushes and off into the night.
"You don't think the teachers are actually betting on our love lives, do you?" Hagakure asked.
"Of course not! This is UA! Our teacher would never do something so dishonorable!"
"Do you honestly believe that Iida?" Jiro asked.
Iida slammed his fist into his palm. "I will continue to do what I must in order to protect the sanctity of this institution!"
"So, no then?"
Iida fell to the floor wounded by the truth he fought so hard to deny.
"Right. Okay everyone we should all head back inside and head to sleep. It's getting late!" Yaoyorozu began to corral everyone back into the dorm.
As she walked back through the doors, she caught the eyes of Todoroki.
He gave her a short, curt nod.
She gave him a determined nod back.
A fated duel between two rivals.
…
Wow! This was actually pretty exciting! She hadn't felt this pumped since she got back from her internship with Gunmetal!
As they went began to make their ways back to their rooms, Uraraka noticed that they were missing a few classmates.
"Where's Deku at? And Kirishima and Bakugo?"
Tokoyami looked back at her. "Midoriya didn't want to cause any more trouble and got permission to stay with his mother for a few days. Kirishima and Bakugo went with him for reasons I was not able to gather."
"Oh, I see."
Uraraka went up in the elevator and walked back to her room in silence. Deku must have felt guilty about inadvertently causing so much trouble between their classmates. She should check and see if he was ok.
She pulled out her phone and opened her messaging app.
URARAKA: Hey Deku! I heard that you went home for a few days and I wanted to make sure you were ok.
She was about to put her phone away when she immediately got a text back. Huh, he must not be busy.
DEKU: Hi Uraraka.
I'm ok. It's a lot to take in haha. (o.o')
Is everyone ok?
URARAKA: Everyone is fine!
Just amped up about the Dekubowl lol!
DEKU: I don't know how I feel about that name…
URARAKA: I'm sorry…
DEKU: Don't be! (^.^)
I'm going to be trying to find a way to make things right!
URARAKA: You are?
DEKU: Yep! (^.^)
Uraraka smiled. Leave it to Deku to always be the big hero.
DEKU: It's why I invited Kirishima and Bakugo over.
For guy advice.
URARAKA: lol. How's that going?!
DEKU: Umm.
…
It's going lol. (^.^')
They make a cute couple though.
URARAKA: Really! OMG that's amazing!
DEKU: I know right!
Whoops. GTG.
Bakugo is yelling at me to get off of my phone before he blows it up.
(0.0)
URARAKA: Yikes.
DEKU: It's ok! It's just how he shows he cares.
(^.^)
URARAKA: lol whatever you say Deku.
I hope you come back soon to UA soon.
DEKU: I hope so too. (v_v)
Uraraka was about to put away her phone when a dastardly thought entered her brain. It slowly wormed its way through her mind until it rang out in every fiber of her being. Uraraka stared at her phone for a long minute as she fretted over it. Indecision warred inside her as she slowly typed out the message. Her finger hovered hesitantly over the send key.
Finally, with a deep breath, she hit send.
URARAKA: I miss you.
…
No response.
Uraraka's heart fell.
She quickly turned her phone on silent and curled up in bed. Maybe this was a dumb idea? Sure she might be a good fit for Deku but what would it even matter if he didn't like her back?
Uraraka let out a sad sigh as she slowly drifted off to sleep.
Her phone lit up a shortly after, displaying a new message received.
DEKU: I miss you too.
And that's it for chapter 5!
I am so sorry for my absence. I've been looking for a new job and it's been taking a lot out of me. (^.^')
...also I maaaaay have purchased Red Dead Redemption.
Ahem.
Anyway, when I first published this fic I was trying to publish a chapter every week. Now it seems like I'm going to be doing it every week or two. Although hopefully once I get a job thing will settle down and I can focus more on my writing.
I do have an offer so that's good at least!
Anyway, long life note aside, I don't think there will be many spoilers after this chapter for anime watchers. I have most of this planned out and there are only two instances where something comes up.
Also, Aoyama is really difficult to write. (^.^')
Also, I just feel like Midoriya is the type to overuse emojis.
As always, thank you so much for reading and please leave any feedback you can!
-Dorky Desperado