There was silence in the room. The curtains were already open, letting the sunlight in. Sleep was gone, leaving only a feeling of emptiness, as if the whole world stood still for a second. Midoriya was already getting up early out of habit. Jogging had become an integral part of the morning routine. Today, however, Izuku got up earlier than usual. The alarm had not yet sounded, but she was already sitting in her gym suit on the tucked-in bed. Midoriya stared out the window, glancing up at the treetops and down at the rapidly floating clouds, as if she were waiting for something.
There was a piercing ringing sound that shattered the silence. Midoriya blinked, awakened from her state, and looked at the phone. Slapping herself lightly on the legs, Izuku rose from the bed. She needed to start a new day.
Midoriya got up early. Sometimes she met other classmates, but more often she was alone. It was a little depressing for her, more likely due to the absence of her mother, who was always swarming around. A jog, and sometimes a morning workout at that, was the perfect opportunity to clear my head of unnecessary nonsense.
Slamming the door behind her, Midoriya left the room and stretched. Even though she hadn't slept well tonight, she was in a great mood. She took the elevator down to the first floor, where her first meeting of the day awaited her.
- Good morning, Koda-kun," Midoriya said when she spotted her classmate. He didn't seem to be expecting to cross paths with anyone, so he flinched in fright. Koda looked behind him and stood up to greet her.
- Good morning to you too," Koda answered as he turned off the phone.
- Did something happen? - Midoriya came closer. - You look upset.
- It's nothing, really," Koda immediately tried to reassure her. - Mom was worried, so she called.
- Oh," Midoriya said, and felt awkward. She herself had hardly called her mother in the last couple of days because of her workload.
- But it's my fault, I don't talk to her much lately," Koda said with his head down. Midoriya nodded in agreement. She had the exact same story.
- I understand you unfortunately. I have to call my mom too, otherwise she will be very worried. If she hasn't already.
The conversation stopped on its own. Koda apologized and continued to assure his mother that everything was fine. Izuku didn't insist and headed for the exit. A gust of wind ruffled her already disheveled hair. Midoriya breathed in the fresh air. Such moments of silence and calm were akin to a brief respite from the fast-paced events around her. Time did not stand still. Midoriya stretched and started running. Right now she wished she could relax, not think about anything difficult that might upset her, for she had enough disappointments in her normal life. Even so, meeting Koda and the sad reminder that her mother was clearly waiting for her call was depressing.
- I should at least call my mom when I get back," Midoriya thought as she ran the first lap.
It didn't take long to run. Only forty minutes had passed, and Midoriya was already approaching the dormitory. When the weekend came, the dorm was quiet in the morning. And even more so at yesterday's training session, the guys did their best, so now many have decided to take a longer rest. Someone was already awake, as she could see by the open blinds, and someone's windows were still closed. Izuku stopped in front of the building, trying to catch her breath. She looked around it and smiled. The sun rose high enough to illuminate the many windows. It was as if the building was illuminated from within, and that made it look even larger and more imposing.
To avoid standing outside for too long, Midoriya wiped the sweat from her forehead and went inside. In just such a short time, the living room was filled with classmates who kept arriving.
- Good morning, Midoriya," Hagakure said, turning her head toward the exit. She was sitting on the couch, leafing through something on her phone. Midoriya walked beside her, wishing everyone a good morning and the others along the way. The room grew noisier and noisier. There was the sound of an elevator letting Todoroki into the living room. Uraraka was standing in the kitchen, disheveled and clearly recently awakened.
- Midoriya, you're up early as usual," Ochako smiled at her friend, and drank water from her glass. Sato, who was standing there in the kitchen, leaned in closer to see if Uraraka was okay. - Don't mind me, I didn't sleep well tonight.
Todoroki, who was passing by, said hello to Midoriya and headed toward the bathroom. From where, Sero was already coming out. Class 1-A gradually emerged from their rooms, gathering on the first floor. Midoriya wished a good morning to everyone she hadn't seen yet, and walked toward the girls' bathroom to freshen up. When she opened the door, Izuku noticed Yaoyorozu standing a little away.
- Good morning, Yaoyorozu-san," Midoriya said with a smile. She went to the sink.
- Good morning," Momo smiled back. She grabbed her things and was about to leave, but was stopped by Midoriya's words.
- Wait, can I ask you something? - Turning off the water, Izuku asked.
- Of course," replied Yaoyorozu, turning to her classmate.
- Today, Aizawa-sensei mentioned that he was going to bring Eri-chan. I wanted to surprise her and make her something delicious. Is there any tea she might like? You're good at that, aren't you?
Midoriya hesitated a little at the end, seeing Yaoyorozu's eyes begin to glitter more and more. She gasped, covering her mouth and smiling broadly. She seemed pleased that someone besides her was interested in the topic of tea. Momo stepped closer and put her hand on Izuku's shoulder.
- Leave it to me. Are you going up to your room now? - Yaoyorozu asked, and answered affirmatively, and continued. - Then let's go together and I'll tell you everything on the way.
- Okay," Midoriya nodded, wiping her face. The girls came out of the bathtub, bumping into Mineta. who was standing too close to the girls' bathroom for it to be a coincidence - M-Mineta-kun?!
- There you are, Mineta-kun! - Iida exclaimed as he walked in. His eyes were closed, because he didn't want to make trouble, but he couldn't leave Mineta behind either. - How can you behave like that to your classmates!
Sero, who came next and saw that Iida couldn't do anything properly, grabbed Mineta with his ribbons, pulling him out.
- Thank you, Sero-kun," Iida said, then turned to the girls. - I'm sorry to bother you.
- That's okay," Midoriya said with a wave of her hands. - Thank you.
Yaoyorozu just shook her head and led Izuku away.
- We were talking about tea. If it's for Eri-chan, I can recommend an herbal fruit tea," Yaoyorozu suggested after a little thought. - I have such a tea, made on the basis of rose hips, hibiscus and raspberries. It has a rich berry flavor. It is also very healthy and appetizing, I think she will like it.
- It does sound very interesting and appetizing," Midoriya confirmed. - Maybe we could ask Sato-kun what kind of appetizer we could make for it?
- Yes, that's a great idea! - Yaoyorozu exclaimed and put her hands together. - I'll be glad to help you organize it all.
The elevator doors opened on the fifth floor. The girls came up to Yaoyorozu's room.
- Then I'll get everything ready and bring tea later.
- Thank you, Yaoyorozu-san, for your help.
This is where they parted company. Midoriya planned to change, so she went to her room first, before asking Sato for help. Izuku came out of her bathtub, already dressed differently. Her gaze stopped on the phone, which was still on the bed. Midoriya frowned, standing still for a few seconds. In the end, she couldn't stand it and dialed her mother's number after all. Almost immediately the receiver was picked up. An anxious voice sounded on the other end.
- Izuku, honey, I'm so glad you called," Inko really sounded worried and a little sad. She understood that sometimes Midoriya couldn't call or answer the phone, but that made it even sadder.
- Hi, Mom. I'm sorry I didn't call sooner. Are you alright? - Izuku tried to make her voice as cheerful and calm as possible, so as not to make things worse.
- Yes, of course," sighed Inko. - What about you? I'm very worried, because you haven't called for a long time.
- Sorry about that," Midoriya said in an apologetic tone. - We've been having a lot of training lately, so I've been spending all my time studying.
- Izuku, I appreciate you wanting to study, but you have to rest too.
- Yes, of course, Mom," Midoriya said with a shake of her head.
- What's new with you, dear? At least write to me more often and tell me your news.
- Eri-chan is supposed to come over today," Midoriya said instantly. She was very excited about the news, so she was going to share it with her mother as well. - We want to give her a little surprise.
- Really? That's very good. What did you come up with?
- I found out from Yaoyorozu-san about a tea she might like, and even later I want to ask Sato-kun about something to make.
It looked surprisingly like the good old days, when Inko and Izuku sat around the same table and shared their worries. Midoriya immediately relaxed and couldn't hold back a smile.
- What a great job. I'm sure she's going to love it, so I wish her luck.
- Thanks, Mom.
- How's Katsuki? I haven't heard from him in a while.
The smile slid off Izuku's face. Even though she shared almost everything with her mother, she preferred to keep quiet about her quarrels with Bakugo. Midoriya guessed it would upset Inko, so she kept it to herself.
- Ah, Kacchan... He's well...
Midoriya had originally intended to keep quiet about their current quarrel as well, but for some reason she was silent now, unexpectedly to herself.
- Izuku? - Inko supposed something might have happened. Perhaps a mother's heart could sense when her child was confused.
- Mom, we had a little fight with him," Midoriya said after a short pause.
- Oh, how could that be? You've never had a fight. What was it about?
- It's not a big deal," she babbled, trying to convince not just her mother, but herself.
- Oh, how could it be, how could it happen? - Inko continued to wail.
- Mom, it's really okay, don't worry.
On the one hand, Izuku had already regretted that she had decided to tell her mother about the whole situation, but on the other hand she felt better about putting up with it.
- You know Katsuki is a stubborn boy, he's Mitsuki's son for a reason. He probably won't go along with it himself," Inko said. She knew that her daughter didn't seem to know how to act in such a situation.
- But," Izuku tried to object, but Inko went on.
- You have such a great relationship.
- Relationship?
- Yes, Mitsuki and I are not stupid, we know that there is something between you. You don't have to hide your feelings," Inko said firmly, emphasizing "feelings.
- Uh-huh.
- In fact, we would only be happy if you got into a relationship so I'm very sad to hear about your quarrel. You'd better make it right. You can't lose such close friends," Inko said firmly, this was the first time she'd raised the subject with Izuku, so she wanted to make her point as accurately as possible.
- Sure. I'm sorry, Mom, I have to go.
- Oh, yeah. Take care, Izuku.
- I will, thanks mom, bye.
Izuku put the phone aside. She raised her hand and covered her face, which was now all red with blush. Yes, Midoriya and Bakugou are close friends, so it was not uncommon for others to talk about their "feelings" that might escalate into something more, but this was the first time it was said directly. Izuku had never thought about it, because there was no precedent for it, but when her mother mentioned it.
- No," Midoriya murmured, slapping her cheeks. - It just can't be. Mom was just imagining things. She just imagined it.
Izuku went out into the hallway, closing the door behind her. As Midoriya walked, she was already texting Sato to find out where he was now. It was better to do something useful than to think about such embarrassing things. Midoriya headed for the elevator, intending to go to the boys' wing. On the first floor she bumped into Sero, coming from the kitchen side.
- Sato went up to his place, so you'll find him there," Sero confirmed.
- Thank you, Sero-kun," Midoriya smiled as she stepped back into the elevator. It was only possible to get to the boys through the first floor, so she had to go up to her floor again.
On the fourth floor, the elevator doors opened again, letting Kirishima in.
- Midoriya? Good morning, I didn't expect to see you here," Kirishima smiled hello.
- Good morning to you too, Kirishima-kun," Midoriya smiled back. They stepped out together and headed toward the living quarters.
- So you're going to Sero's? - Noticing that Kirishima stopped at his door, Midoriya asked.
- Yeah, I wanted to give him the manga he lent me," he replied affirmatively with a nod.
- Oh, wait! I remembered that he's on the first floor now. We just ran into him.
- Oh, man, thank you, Midoriya. I'll be on my way then.
Midoriya stared at Kirishima until the doors finally closed behind him. At that time, others opened, right in front of her.
- Good morning, Midoriya. So what did you want to know?
- Good Morning. Do you know what you can serve with herbal tea? I want to treat Eri-chan.
- That's a great idea! You can make small snacks and I'll bake cupcakes," Sato exclaimed happily.
- You will? Thanks a lot, Sato-kun. You're really going to help us, Midoriya said.
- Yes, I just need to buy some more food. Why don't you come in? We'll talk about it.
- I will.
The elevator stopped on the first floor, letting Kirishima into the living room. The first thing that caught his eye was Sero, whom he was originally going to see.
- Dude, I wanted your manga back! - Kirishima shouted, waving his hand. Sero turned around at the exclamation and waved back.
- Oh, thank you. Have you read it yet, what do you think?
- Yeah, but I didn't understand why they decided to kill the main character at the end, but it's fun," Kirishima said as he walked closer.
- There's actually an explanation for this ending," Sero said, heading toward the couches. - Though I thought it was strange the first time I read it, too.
- I wish they'd said it louder," Jirou grumbled, pushing back a chair. She sat down at one of the tables in the kitchen and set a plate in front of her. - All of us finished that manga, didn't we?
- Come on, don't be angry, Jirou! - Kaminari exclaimed, approaching Kirishima and Sero. He decided to keep the conversation going, so now he was sitting next to them.
Once again, the elevator doors opened, and Midoriya and Sato were already out. They were looking at something on a piece of paper in Midoriya's hands and talking.
- I think that would be enough. Are you sure you want to go by yourself? - Sato said, letting Midoriya go forward.
- Yes, don't worry," she replied, taking the paper with the list for herself.
- What are you talking about? - Mina, who was curious, came closer at once. - Have you thought of something?
- Aizawa-sensei's bringing Eri-chan today. I wanted to treat her," Izuku said instantly.
- What a great idea! - Mina exclaimed, clapping her hands together. She snatched the list from her hands and ran her eyes over it.
- That's right," Yaoyorozu confirmed as she came closer. - I brought the tea we talked about.
- Thank you very much for your help. Then I'll buy groceries as soon as possible," Midoriya said cheerfully, heading toward the exit and taking the list back.
- Wait," Mina stopped her friend with a negative shake of her head. - You can't carry that by yourself. Take Bakugou with you!
- What did you say? - Bakugou instantly reacted. - Why on earth would I help?
Mina waved her hand and headed toward the couch where he was sitting.
- Come on, help a girl out. How can she carry it all by herself," Mina shrugged and winked at Midoriya. She was clearly excited about the opportunity and wasn't going to let it pass her by.
- But I don't think that's necessary," Izuku wanted to argue, but she had already been escorted out the door along with a stubborn Bakugou.
Bakugou glared at Midoriya, causing her to look away. He muttered something under his breath and headed toward the nearest store. Izuku had no choice but to accept the situation and follow him. She didn't really know what was best, so she was lucky to have Katsuki with her. She made sure of that quickly enough, getting stuck at the first counter.
- Which one is better? - Izuku groaned, trying to figure out the difference between the two packages.
Five minutes passed as Bakugou took one look at the list and went off to choose the products. Midoriya just found the first item on the list and was already at a standstill. Finally choosing the one she thought was better, Izuku was about to put the second package back, but it was snatched out of her hands.
- This will do," Katsuki said as he put the package in the already-filled basket.
- Kacchan is amazing as always," Midoriya thought as she watched her friend walk away.
In fact, Bakugou only had to pick out the groceries, because he obviously knew more about it. In the end, even Midoriya was able to carry all the bags because there weren't that many, but they decided to separate them anyway.
Bakugou went out first, lingering slightly in front of the door to wait for Izuku. She, on the other hand, stopped next to the toy machines. There were toy machines for children, filled with toys of professional heroes. Midoriya loved these things as a child, and she even had a mini collection with the All Might of such toys. They stayed at home, so Midoriya didn't even remember the last time she saw them.
- The last time I saw the All Might was in a Silver Age costume. But how many years ago was that? - Midoriya muttered, stepping closer. - This one looks older than the others, so why don't you try my luck?
Izuku took out a couple of coins, tossed them into the slot, and pressed the button. There was a knock. Midoriya froze, as when she was a child, waiting for a toy to fall out. It reminded her of the time when Midoriya and Bakugo loved these machines, when they were so excited when a new toy fell out.
- I don't seem to have any more luck," Midoriya said, looking at the toy in his hands.
Bakugou stepped closer and tilted his head to get a better look at what fell out. In the palm of Izuku's already open hand lay a Ryukyu toy. One of the most frequently won toys, and not even in the shape of a dragon. Midoriya considered the prize and thought that even if she didn't want it, she could at least give it to Eri.
- Go away!
Bakugou, who until then had been standing with his hand in his left pocket, took it out and put some coins in the slot. He squatted down to make it easier to reach. There was another knock, and Bakugou held out his hand. In the palm of his hand now lay the Edgeshottoy. He frowned, raising the prize to eye level.
- Ha, it's all your fault," Bakugo muttered, about to leave the toy here. But he quickly changed his mind, shoving it in his pocket.
- Come on, don't you want to spend the money? - Midoriya replied, watching Bakugou get to his feet. He looked at his friend and turned away.
- I have no regrets.
Bakugou headed toward the dormitory, and Midoriya didn't keep him waiting, coming up after him.
- Hey, Kacchan, wait!
The toy machine was practically empty. It seemed as if the prizes had not been renewed in a long time. It itself was covered with dust, and seemed to have been long forgotten about. That was no surprise, though. Other machines around were filled with toys with new heroes, which appeared not so long ago, but had already gained fame among the townspeople. Behind the glass, one of the toys swayed slightly. It looked like it should have been knocked over by the prizes that had fallen out earlier, but something went wrong, so it fell only now. Now in the prize compartment lay the All Might's toy, one of the rarest that could ever be found here.