I still remember it vividly…
The day Midoriya Izuku told me that he was going out with Asui Tsuyu.

It was only the day after Tsuyu and I had cornered him with our confessions. Only a day after he had fainted from that experience. I felt so guilty about it that I didn't even think about what would happen after he recovered… what his answer to our confessions could be.
The confessions themselves weren't for ourselves, weirdly enough. It was for each other. I went to Midoriya to tell him that Tsuyu loved him, and she went there to do the same for me… though 'love' is a little much to describe what I felt for him at the time. Compared to her, my affections for him could only rightly be called 'a crush'.
What Tsuyu had for him was closer to the real idea of what love was… It was caring, considerate, selfless, supportive, and encouraging. Built to build Midoriya up by her side – rather than chain him down to her feelings. So of course I would have preferred it if he ended up choosing her over me.

How he would make that decision, and whether or not it would be announced, however, never really crossed my mind. Imagine my surprise when, on the no-school day that followed our confession, he contacted me in a text that he'd like to meet me, alone… specifically to talk about the confessions Tsuyu and I made.
I wasn't prepared for that. I wasn't prepared to meet him alone either – it would be the first time in weeks since we've done so. And the first time ever that we'd do so out of choice. And never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined that he would be the one to suggest it. This wasn't like him…
Though, I suppose, what we did to him the day before wasn't like us either. Countering surprise with surprise, this meeting would put the both of us on equal grounds.

Unlike the Deku I knew and watched from afar, the Midoriya I met on that day was calm and mature. He asked me to meet him in a little-known private café near his home. It was small, had walled-in booths, and thick with soft furniture that would absorb sounds. For a public place where neither of us would feel too locked-in, it was perfect for a private conversation. The Deku I knew would have never picked a place like this. He'd think it was too personal…
But he wasn't the Deku I knew anymore. The Deku I knew was single, inexperienced with women, and virgin in every way. I felt a sort of camaraderie with that Deku – since I was just as inexperienced, just as virgin, and just as nervous to be with someone of the opposite gender. Sitting across from me in that intimate booth was someone who was no longer burdened by those worries. Confident and bold, he led our conversation quickly to its goal without reconsidering his words.
It was scary… seeing and hearing him like that. Before he even got to tell me what he thought of our confessions, I already knew what his answer would be… because I was shaken by how much he had already been changed by it. The answer he carried with him was clearly written across his face. And he brought me there, to that quiet place, so that he could tell it to me without making a scene.
A phone call or text would have been enough… At least then I could reply without having him see me cry.
But, maybe, he did want to see me cry. The Deku I knew from before was kind, caring, and a hero who made himself responsible for everyone else's needs. Just because he approached me with confidence that day, didn't mean he had changed from those old virtues. Talking to me in-person, telling those things to me face-to-face, having me cry and sour the atmosphere of that café… it might have been his way of taking responsibility over his decision.
'Look at what your decision really means' might have been the theme of that meeting for him.
Because, otherwise, the Deku I knew really would have just told me over a phone call or text… Bold or not.

I dreaded being there with him, in such a personal arena, even if I knew the reason for it. Though I honestly did want him to choose Tsuyu after all that had happened, I really only wanted to witness that conclusion from afar – far away from thinking I was ever a part of that equation. But in front of him like that, cornered by him just as we had cornered him, there was no room for me to deny just how involved I really was. The claims I've staked in our situation was made plain for us to see: I liked him. I liked Deku.
I've liked him even before Tsuyu ever looked at him that way.
I couldn't exactly say that I loved him… but was it wrong of me to want that chance to fall in love with him?
And even if it never turned into that, the fact that I was even involved at all – that I was even there to face his answer… didn't that count for something?
There, trapped and cornered by the very decision I had forced onto him, I had no choice but to value my feelings for him. I wouldn't be able to shrug off his answer calmly, or as a friend, no matter what it ended up being. Because there, in front of him, in front of no one else, I only wanted him to choose me.

Before I could even realize my true feelings for my classmate and closest male friend, I was going to be told by him that those feelings weren't worth it. Not when it was weighed next to another girl's.
'I love Tsuyu.' were the three words that sealed that fact into my heart… and broke it to pieces.

I was 'fine' when he told me those words. Composed, and looking as if I understood. But 'fine' only held its guise while my mouth was closed. When I tried telling him that I 'was fine', the heart-broken truth spilled out of me instead. I cried. I cried so bad that the murmurs in the café awkwardly went silent… I cried so terribly that the confidence in Midoriya's eyes nearly vanished.
'Nearly…' My heart sank further into itself when I thought about that. 'Nearly…'
That one word translated plainly to 'Not enough'. As in 'I wasn't enough to sway him'. As in 'Compared to her, I was never going to be enough for him'.
I took it personally. Too personally. But at the time, I couldn't see it any other way.

When actual words, and not just senseless moanings, came out of my mouth – my reply to him came in the form of a question, "Was it even a competition?"
'Did I even stand a chance?' 'Was I ever considered in your heart?' and so much more questions were crammed into that single phrase. It was self-deprecating and defeatist of me. But at the time, I couldn't see it any other way.

And then… just as my heart was about to whither away… he told me something that made it beat back to life.
"Yes." was his answer to my question.
"It was a very hard, and difficult decision." he continued on.
"And a really confusing one too." he added.
"Before yesterday, I never even thought of Tsuyu that way." he said.
"Before yesterday, I only really thought of you." he claimed.
"I'm not sure if you would've called it 'love', but you were on my mind a lot." he shared with me.
"And it's weird to say now, I know, but you still are. On my mind, that way, that is. You're still really… amazing in my eyes."
"I know I shouldn't be thinking this anymore. But if I'm going to be honest with you about my decision, then that's the truth."
"Ending up here, after being told by two awesome girls that they like me – this isn't what I expected to happen today, yesterday, or in all my life. And having to step on someone's feelings like this, isn't how I wanted things to end up, especially between my best friends… But because it's been painful for the two of you to keep quiet about this, I really need to give you an answer. And this is my answer. And I'm going to hold myself to it."
"That's why I asked you to meet me here, actually. It's so I could tell you my answer, personally, and have you hold me to it too. If I just gave you my answer over the phone, or just through an email, it wouldn't be the same. My answer would have just been impersonal and distant. And the last thing I want is for this to end up being impersonal, I want this to end up being very personal between us. I want you to know and always remember what I've said today. So that I can never back out of this decision unharmed, or ever pretend that this didn't hurt you as much as it did."
"Because… it did. I am. Hurting you, that is. Your feelings count in this just as much as Tsuyu's. And I'm a jerk for rejecting such an amazing girl like you. And you can hold me to that, always. I want you to. Because no matter what changes between us from my decision, I'll always consider what you think of me – in how I am, or what I've done. Because how you regard me, matters to me. I admire you. I always will. You're irreplaceable to me, Uraraka. As a person, as a friend, as something so much more than that. You made this decision life-changing for me, just as much as Tsuyu. And I don't ever want any of us to forget that."

My heart beat, and beat again, with every sentence he fed me in his lengthy monologue. In a very bittersweet way, I found out more about Midoriya Izuku's innermost-thoughts through that formal rejection, than I ever had during my time being his friend. That day, my once-innocent infatuation for him slowly matured into something I couldn't quite recognize. It became less self-focused, more heart-felt, worryingly permanent, and strangely empathizing. Within the spans of that hour, these entirely new sensations were filling up my chest.
And if I had stayed uncertain over what those feelings in me could have meant, the words he said next threw those cares away…
"Even if I can't give you my heart anymore, I'll still always give you my complete respect and trust, Uraraka."

One of my mom's old words of wisdom echoed in my mind as he had said that.
"You know a man truly loves you when he gives you his full respect and trust."

Midoriya, unknowingly, told me in that moment that he loved me… And that he would continue to love me, no matter what the relationship was between us.
At that time, I had no clue what to do with the feelings swirling inside of my stomach and chest… but like him, I wanted to make a sure decision and hold myself to it.
I had decided then that I wouldn't run away from him. I wouldn't turn away, look away, or ignore what we 'had' between us just because he belonged to someone else.
I was still Uraraka Ochaco, the woman that Deku respected and trusted, and there was an irreplaceable value to that. I couldn't deny that from him or myself, just because we didn't belong to each other. I could repay his love with a currency separate from intimacy or passion.
Like my mom had offered my dad on the day of their marriage… I offered him something that I couldn't take back without losing my dignity…

On the day Midoriya Izuku confessed to me that he had chosen Asui Tsuyu as his girlfriend, I told him that I would still remain by his side as a companion, no matter his decisions or its outcomes. In return for his respect and trust as a dear friend, I offered him the same as a lifelong partner.
Whether as his friend, his best friend, his sister, or as a stranger… I promised Deku my unbending loyalty.

The loyalty I held just for for Deku was given to him in return for his honest love. It wasn't held so that I could get something for myself, nor did I hold it so that I could give him something 'freely'. There was a proper exchange between us. So long as he loved me the way that he did, I would remain loyal to him in the ways that I could. That's all there was to it. As such, I never expected any compensation beyond that fair trade.
But, like always, a day in the life with Deku means you're bound to run into something completely unexpected and unasked for.

My loyalty towards Deku, unintentionally and invisibly, acted as an investment in my life – and that unseen investment would repeatedly reward me in very visible spades.
First, there were the many accidental moments that ended up with me being trapped somewhere, alone and in close-quarters, with Midoriya… I didn't mean for any those moments to happen, but I can't pretend like I didn't like them.
Then, there were the perks for being associated with Japan's #1 hero… Discounts, VIP treatments, invitations to fancy places, delicious foods, sponsorships, TV interviews, delicious foods… I doubt I would have tasted any of these things if I hadn't been teamed up with him.
Later, when my feelings towards Izuku bloomed, I was practically forced by my best friend Tsuyu – his own fiancée – to openly express these feelings around him… And when I did, a huge weight I didn't even know I had, flew right off of my shoulders. And I've been happier and more satisfied in my ever since.
And now…

Now I'm recognized by both Deku and Tsuyu – alongside the heroes and employers of the Sparkling Agency – as Midoriya Izuku's second wife.
… Yes, wife.
I mean, it's not officially recognized in Japan… And even if we were to be married in a country that allowed polygamy, our status would only be superficially recognized in all other countries…
But still! Everyone close to me accepts the idea that I'm his wife! His wife! Can you believe that?
Well… my parents don't know…

AAAAAAAAHHHHHH WHAT IF THEY DID?! What would I tell them?!
I wouldn't have to tell them! Because I won't tell them!
But they're going to keep bugging me that I'm not married yet…

Bakugo's going to keep bugging me too – about not joining his team, because he doesn't even know that I'm sticking to Deku for a completely different reason now!
Is it safe to tell him about this? Just so he'd get off my back? Deku says that Bakugo's actually really trustworthy when it comes to keeping secrets…
I mean, I guess he'd take it better than the public ever would…

The public can't ever know! If they ever found out…
They don't have to find out. It's none of their business. Really, it doesn't have to be anyone's business other than our own.
It's just between me – and the people of the Sparkling Agency – my absolutely best friend, Tsuyu – my hus…band I-Izuku…

Izuku recognizes me as his wife.

IZUKU RECOGNIZES ME AS HIS WIFE!

I mean he's still shy about it. Heck, I still freak out over it! But it's there. He's there. I'm there. We're there. It's in our conversations. It's in our greetings. And it's in… o-our… k-k-kiss… W-We've kissed… We've actually…

No, don't faint, Ochaco.
… Midoriya Ochaco…

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHH!
SHOULD I LEGALLY CHANGE MY NAME?!

No – No, that would catch attention from the media. That would definitely catch attention from anyone that looks at our ID cards. Three Midoriyas walking up to the airport terminal together, and none of them look like each other? That would definitely catch their attention.
I could say we're adopted siblings. But I don't want to lie about it. I don't need to lie about it.
Then I guess I don't need to change my name… Uraraka Ochaco…
O-Only our children's names then!

I can have children with Izuku…

I CAN HAVE CHILDREN WITH –

I need to calm down. I need to stay composed. Just keep up the friendly smile for these people around me, and don't let them know that I'm seriously, internally malfunctioning. That's all I need to focus on.

"You swore your loyalty as a friend?" the interviewer asks me with a slight gasp.

"That's right." I tell her with a firm nod.

"On the same day he rejected you?"

"When it's put that way, it sounds like our relationship depended entirely on his decision…" I nervously laugh and adjust my sitting position. "You have to remember that all three of us were very close friends before the confessions. That wasn't going to change just because one of us decides to fall for the other."

"Or if two of you fall for one of you, it seems."

"That's how it went."

"It's an unusual thing for friendships to remain intact after an event like that."

"It's definitely unusual. But I don't think it's impossible. Most of us are just raised to believe that our relationships have to be put on the line every time there's a disagreement. But we often forget that it's because of our agreements, not our disagreements, that our relationships exist in the first place. If we just remember that, I'm sure many more of us would still be in contact with our best friends five, ten, maybe twenty years down the road."

"And what would you say is the 'agreement' between you and your teammate Hoplight, that keeps both of you friends –"

"Best friends."

"Sorry, best friends, despite your past-competition over Deku?"

I tap my chin with my index finger. "Hmm… I'd have to say it's that we both think that Deku is pretty great."

The interviewer chuckles. "I'd say we're all in agreement with you two."

"I'm not sure if I can call everyone here my 'best friend'! I don't have enough space on my contacts list!"

The interviewer laughs. "I'm sure you can fit at least one more!"

"For you? Of course."

"Aw, that's sweet of you, Uravit– Oh! You're serious? Wow, haha! Okay, okay, hold on, after this interview is done."

It will be another fifteen minutes before my live interview could be considered 'done', and after that I'll have to remember to exchange my number with the radio hostess. I really wasn't kidding with the offer – it never hurts to network with more people, after all. Plus, the excitement people have when trading IDs with me reminds me of my school days… Even adults in their forties can still get giddy doing this.
The topic of this radio discussion is titled 'The Secret Of Japan's Hero Trio', and just like the title hints at – it spotlights the curious relationship between Deku, Hoplight, and Uravity. This is the first time any one of us properly explained the subject for a public broadcast. And it won't be the last – I'm scheduled for eleven more interviews this week… all of them focused on the same topic.
Before, none of us dared to let the public know, in interviews, QA's, or even in casual conversation – in fear of the backlash from tabloid news sites. But now that the relationship between the three of us has become even more taboo to talk about, I felt like it was better to address people's curiosities with a simple answer:

Hoplight and Uravity were love rivals, with Deku as the target of their affections. Hoplight was chosen in the end, but Uravity remained by their side as a loyal friend.

There was nothing untrue about that summary – and it explained just enough to answer that nagging question of 'why a single woman was teamed with a married couple'. The only problem was: that was all there was to my explanation. I haven't said anything about how I still loved Deku, how I confessed that to Hoplight, how she encouraged me to tell him too, how I openly expressed my feelings towards him for a year and a half despite his marital status, and I especially said nothing about how I ended up being unofficially titled as his 'second wife'… And I don't ever plan on mentioning those things.
I'm just giving the press something meaty to chew on with this simple summary, so they don't get too curious on their own and end up discovering the whole 'second wife' thing.
Plus, this answer should give Bakugo a better answer as to why I won't team up with him. He won't back down because of it, that's for sure. But at least he'll know why I won't back down either.
Plus-plus, this might also help block out all those suitors that keep hounding me. I mean, they'd have to be pretty confident now if they think they can compete with my past-affections towards Deku… Not like there's even a competition. I am, after all, already spoken for.

… Not that I can tell anyone, but still…
All that matters is that I can tell him that. I can tell Deku that he's spoken for, by me too. I can tell Izuku that he belongs to me, too. I can tell my husband that I'm his wife! – too!
Those 'too's at the ends are really awkward… I don't really mind them for their meanings, though. The husband I belong to is shared by one other – but you couldn't ask for a better person to share him with. Tsuyu, my best friend, teammate, and comrade in love, loves the same man as I do – with the same intensity as I do. Of course she would, since she's his first wife. But outside of obligations, her absolute care and attention towards him can't be beat! Not even by me!
That makes me sound awful… but I have to accept it as a fact when it's true. I can't read Izuku like she can. I can't immediately figure out what he thinks, or catch his mistakes before he even makes them. I can't make up for his weaknesses as perfectly as she does. I can't stop him from doing something once he's determined to do it, but she definitely can. Even after all these years of watching the both of them work together – I really can't keep up with how they do things.
But that's fine. Because Deku and I do things our own way, at our own pace. I'm apparently skilled at cheering him up and cheering him on. And convincing him to do things without needing to twist his arm. And cleaning up after his messes. And, um, oh! I can make him float. That's a thing.
I realize my list sounds kind of bare, but that's mostly because I'm not great at analyzing myself. I only know what I'm helpful in – and where my strengths are – when someone points it out, or I'm given obvious feedback.
Like when Tsuyu told me that Izuku always laughs when I use my 'tough guy' voice… I never noticed that.
Or like that time Deku told me that I make the best pancakes. It was because I added more brown sugar on top of the original recipe – so that's how I found out that he really likes brown sugar.
And I'll even pick up on non-verbal cues, as long as they're really noticeable. Like when Deku stretches and yawns most times when I scratch the back of his ear – that's his 'are you tired?' switch.
Or l-like when I pull away after kissing him… and h-his lips pinch against my bottom lip for just a second… He really likes my bottom lip… heh heh…
And when he holds me close, his hand tends to slide s-slowly around my hips… a-and it feels like he wants to slide it down and… heh heh heh heh…

Heh…

"I-I'm sorry, what was your question again?" I ask the hostess, trying to get my mind back into the interview. My face feels really, really hot. I'm glad this interview doesn't have a camera.

"Ah, the question from our listener was… What would you say is your proudest contributing factor in the team? Specifically, what helps you stand out from your teammate Hoplight, when it comes to supporting Deku?"

"He really likes my butt."

…

WHAT DID I JUST SAY?!