ch 3:A cat friend

Izuku came home from the meet and greet, still wet from his earlier antics. He was unable to get the autograph that he wanted, but he came home with a flustered smile on his face. Because he received a phone number from the girl he looked up to.

Throughout the entire day, he couldn't stop thinking about their meeting. Especially how she revealed to have a crush on him. To think that he is a boy that's worthy of Singapura's affection, was without a doubt beyond his wildest dreams. He just couldn't stop being so happy.

Later that night, he sat on his bed, in his room, waiting to see if she was going to text her. He had his phone a few inches in front of him.

Just waiting for a text from her was enough to drive him mad.

"Calm down, Izuku, it's only a text. Nothing to get worked up over."

*ding*

Before long, he receives a text, and it immediately makes him jump.

Izuku felt a shiver run down his spine. First time experiencing a new feeling from receiving a text from a girl…or anyone for that matter. He grabbed the phone, and read what Himiko sent her.

'Hey~'

Just reading the text alone is almost enough to make him scream into his pillow. He covers his face with his sheets, thinking that a girl texted him. He snaps out of his excitement and directs his attention back on his phone. Thinking for a minute straight for the perfect response.

While he was busy thinking, Himiko was in her room, blushing on her phone. Holding a small blood bag close to her as she waits to see what he was going to write back to her. She hadn't felt this way since her first text message from Ocahco.

She was feeling a bit anxious about the text being too flirty for a first impression. But she couldn't help herself, she was so eager to get to know him. And she wanted to be true to herself about her personality.

*Ding*

Her phone lit up. Lightning up sparks of joy inside Himiko's heart. She looks down at her phone, to see the reply he sent her.

'Hello, how are you doing?'

Despite him being safe on his choice of words, she still cherished that they were now communicating. Now that he is available to text her, they can now start a conversation.

'So, tell me about yourself.'

'About myself?'

'Yeah, you know. What kind of person are you? What are your hobbies?'

'Well, there's probably not much about me you'll find interesting.'

'Nonsense, I want to know all about you~'

For the first time ever in Izuku's life, he had someone who wanted to talk about him. 'Alright. If you say so.'

The texting conversation starts small, talking about school, grades, and what's their least favorite subject. Favorite food and the type of restaurants they enjoy. The hobbies they have and what they like to do in their free time. Mostly simple trivial stuff.

Throughout the entire evening, the young teens texted the whole night away. Staying up for hours.

Even the morning after that, the texting fest hasn't stopped. The two are locked in a conversation that looks as if it was never going to stop.

Izuku can safely say that this was by far the most he has ever been on his phone. Since the beginning of the week, he was scared of what to say. But after a short while, he surprisingly found it really easy to talk to her this way.

He was finally experiencing an actual connection with someone. He finally made a friend.

Over the course of a week, Izuku and Himiko continued to text about stuff. They became so happy about that new found friendship, that everyone around them began to notice.

Izuku's mother, Inko, quickly figured out that something had happened to her baby boy. One day, she found Izuku happily texting on his phone when she heard him giggling to himself. A sight she thought she wouldn't ever see.

The green hair mother let her son be as she would occasionally watch from a distance.

Back at the mountain base. Ryuko would catch a glimpse of her daughter texting pretty regularly. No doubt in her mind it was about the boy she met at the mall. It was killing her to know what they were talking about, but she must honor her little cub's privacy. So she'll stay by the shadow to make sure that this boy wasn't a troublemaker

Once a week has passed, the two have gotten well acquainted with each other.

Himiko thought of Izuku as a really gentle person, who's shy to speak out for himself. She didn't really mind, she found it adorable. He was also a bit on the nerdy side with his fascinations for Heroes.

Izuku thought of the cat girl as very cheery and bubbly. She likes movies that are either cute or scary, music by her favorite pop idols, and watching cat videos. oftentimes she tends to become flirty towards Izuku. He was very glad that they started out by texting first. otherwise he wouldn't be able to hide his blush or talk to her without stuttering every minute.

By the beginning of the second week, Himiko wanted to take this to the next step of their communications, by using webcams to talk to each other live.

This new change is a big adjustment for Izuku to undertake. Being that he socializes much better with his face not seen. But, he will do it, as he needs to improve himself, and to this relationship that they might have.

After both of them set up their computers, the two ready themself for their first ever live chat.

Himiko was struggling to set up a good connection with her living in the mountains. After a while she managed to get a signal. "Ok,that should do it. Can you hear me now?"

"Yup, loud and clear."

"Finally, now we can talk more about each other in person. Or you know, face to face electronics." She looks around the background of Izuku's room. "You have quite a lot of All Might stuff in your room. don't ya."

Izuku tries to hide his blush. "Yeah, he is my number one hero."

"Aw…was I not worthy to take part in your collection?"

"No!" He choked "It's not that, I just see him as a big inspiration to me." While that may be the case. In truth, he actually has some of her merchandise down for the time being. Too embarrassed to let her know how much of a fan boy he was for her.

But she'll never know that.

"Hey, who's that person by your door?" she asked as she squinted her eyes in the background.

"Wait, what?" Izuku turned around to find his mother, Inko, entering his room.

"Oh! Sorry!" Inko panicked. "I didn't mean to interrupt. I heard you talking and I wanted to check who you were talking to-"

She tries to explain herself to her son, but after the kind mother saw on his son's computer screen was a girl. Once she acknowledged her, she completely changed her face with glee.

As Izuku looked upon his mother's face, he knew that she wasn't leaving. "Oh no."

Inko rushes over to Izuku's computer to greet this person ."Hi there! I'm Izuku's mother, Inko. It's so nice to meet you!"

Himiko couldn't help but smile as she saw Izuku's mother greet her. "Hello, I'm Himiko Tsuchikawa. It's nice to meet you."

Izuku felt a bit embarrassed seeing her mother meet Himiko for the first time. But little did he know, it was about to get a lot worse for him.

"Wait a minute." Inko gasped, as she figured out who she was, "Aren't you that young cat hero Singapura!"

"No, she's not!" Izuku denied, hoping that he could stop his mother from finding out.

"Yes, I am." Himiko confirmed.

"Oh my goodness! My son has been a huge fan of yours since your debut!"

"Really?" she smirks, "How big of a fan is he?"

"Not too big! I'm just a simple one!" Izuku Inputted, turning back to Himiko. He began to stutter his words as he couldn't look her in the eyes. Doing everything he can to make himself less of a fanboy than he already is.

"This box title, Singapura collection says otherwise." Inko pointed out, as she picked up the box that was hiding under the bed.

After having his secret box name out loud by his mother, he already knew that it was over. He turned his head back to his mother in horror to see her holding his secret stash that was full of nothing but Singapura collection.

"Whenever there's a brand new collection of your merchandise, my Izuku here would ask me to pick it up for him."

"Aww…how cute!"

'End me, now!' Izuku screamed inside.

"Thank you, I remember almost all of the things my little Izuku would ask me to get him."

"Mom, Please! She doesn't need to know!"

While Izuku begs for her mother to stop, Inko goes ahead and searches through the small box. She pulls out a unique singapura figure. "This takes me back, you tried to hide this one along with the other all Might figures hoping I wouldn't notice."

The boy whimpered as he couldn't believe this was happening to him. His embarrassment was immeasurable.

Inko then pulled out some comics out of the box. "I remember him asking me to buy each of your comics. It was the first time I noticed him taking Interest in anything besides All Might."

"Really? Is that so?" Himiko smirks harder with each passing second.

"I just like collecting comics!" Izuku could try, but he knew it was useless.

"Oh look!" Inko pulled out one last collectible that finally drove him towards his limit. "It's the limited Christmas poster where all the members were wearing Christmas outfits. You wished for this more than anything else in the world-"

Before Inko could finish her sentence, Izuku took Immediate action. The last thing Himiko saw was Izuku reaching desperately for the internet router and started pulling some wires. Soon after the screen fades to black.

Connection lost…

The young cat hero sat in her chair, all amused by the events that had unfolded. She simply laughed a little and was even glad at how much of a fan Izuku is. She finds it really flattering to know how much he likes her.

After that event, It would take Izuk a bit of time before he could do live chatting again, and next time he'll make sure to lock his door first.

(A few days later)

Both the teens have talked to each other for a while. Now they are used to each other's presence, and love every minute spent together. It wasn't long before the other would suggest meeting each other face to face. Except there was only one problem.

They live miles away from each other. So visiting each other becomes a whole problem by itself. But thankfully with Himiko's family being a hero team, they were often given requests from different parts of Japan. On rare and short occasions, Himiko would be in the same area as Izuku.

"I'm going to be around town this friday with my family for a hero meeting."

"Really?" Izuku excitedly asked.

"Yeah, but the thing is…" she begins to pout as she continues. "It's only for grown ups. So I'm not allowed to take part in them."

"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that."

"It's alright, but since I'm gonna be around town tomorrow with nothing to do…" Himiko touches her two index fingers together as she asks him. "I was wondering if you wanna meet up at a park and study together?"

Izuku's heart skipped a beat upon being asked that. "Yeah! I mean… of course."

"Great, I'll send you the location. See you this friday."

Himiko signs off her video call, giving Izuku time to think.

'Study time with Singapura!' Izuku smiled as he was actually going to hang out with her in person.

For nearly ten days now, Izuku has improved greatly both building his relationships with Himiko, and building his social skills.

Granted that socializing with the other teens at his school was an improbability. It's still important to communicate as a future hero.

School has been pretty much the same for Izuku. By that he means the usual nobody would socialize with. But recently it became better to endure since his newfound friendship.

Over the week, his classmates began to suspect something from the quirkless boy. He had been rather happy as of late despite never smiling once in school before. They all just simply ignored him, as the happiness of another student doesn't matter to them in the slightest.

Or at least it was, until they noticed that he was frequently texting on his phone. They all quickly wrote it off that he made a friend and nothing more.

Until one day, he mutters something that throws everyone off.

It was early morning in school, all the students were waiting for class to start, all bored out of their minds. Looking for something to pass the time. Especially after Bakugo's absence due to sickness.

"Hey, did you all hear that Bakugo tried going to school while sick?" Asked one of the many students as the rest of the class were doing their own thing.

"Yeah apparently he only made it to the entrance before collapsing down."

While the entire class was gossiping about the explosive boy unable to attend class. Izuku was happily mumbling to himself while looking at his phone.

"Friday after school, should I prepare a gift in advance? No, it's too soon. It's just a hangout after all."

Although he would be concerned about Bakugo's health, if it wasn't for the fact that he did try to warn him about calling in sick right before calling him Deku. He did however call the school nurse on him after he collapsed. Now he has a clear conscience to pay attention to his phone and his little date with Himiko.

The other students roll their eyes as they start whispering about him.

"There goes Deku, mumbling to himself again like always." One of the students scoffed as the rest simply ignored him, until one student pointed out one major detail.

"Wait a minute, did you all hear what he said just now?" Yubi(the first 'friend') pointed as he stretched his fingers above to get everyone's attention.

"No, what'd he say?" asked Daiki, the second 'friend' of Bakugo.

"He said something about bringing a gift, and that it is too soon."

At first, nobody knew where he was getting at, until a few good seconds later the shocking realization hit each and every single one of their faces. The possibility that terrifies every boy in the room.

"Deku has a girlfriend?!" All the boys silently yelled in shock.

Izuku raised his head up as he could have sworn he heard something about him, but it was faint and everyone wasn't looking at him. He simply shrugs it off and assumes that he imagined it.

While Izuku went back to his phone on the small little island that is his desk. The group of students huddled around and away from him were discussing this revelation.

"No!" shouted one of the many random classmates. "It can't be possible! Deku can't have a girlfriend, there's just no way!"

"I mean, what could he possibly buy a gift for?"

"I don't know. I want answers, now!"

Two of Bakugo's lackeys sneakily went over to find out more.

While that's happening, Izuku is about to engage in another text conversation with Himiko. As his phone rings up.

'Hey~ class hasn't started for me yet, wanna chat?'

Izuku wasn't expecting an early text from her, but quickly replied. 'Yeah, class hasn't started for me either.'

'Sweet. I'm bored over here, and I want to ask you something. What's your school life like?'

Izuku took a moment to think about the question. His school life. truth be told, it wasn't much going on for him.

'School is not really my strong suit. Mostly because my… peers find me less interesting.'

'I find that really hard to believe, you seem so sweet.'

Izuku blushed hard after he read the nice comment from her. 'Thank, I usually just keep to myself in school. Making friends is rather difficult for me here.'

'Yeah, same here.'

That last repose really caught Izuku's attention the most. 'Same here?' What does that suppose to mean? Does she have trouble making friends? That's really unexpected, now he wants to know.

'Really?'

'Surprise, right? Even though I'm popular in the media, I actually have trouble making real friends. Not because I don't want to, it's mostly because, I don't think people won't like the girl I am, then the hero they see.'

Izuku didn't quite understand what she meant by that, but he tries to assure her. 'Really? Because I think you're really great.'

A long pause went by since the last reply. Unknown to the boy, Himiko was squealing on the other side. She had her little giggle fest before resuming. 'Thank you, that means a lot to me.'

'Wait, so does this mean you don't have any friends?'

'Well no, I do have one. She is a great person, and my only best friend.'

'Wow. She must be an amazing person then.'

'She most definitely is. She gets me like nobody else. Even though we're not seeing each other much at the moment.'

'What do you mean? Did something happen?'

'Oh, no! It's not like that. She's still in junior high, a year younger than me. But that's not the problem. Her family is currently running an unsuccessful construction company, and we hardly see or talk to each other.'

'What about online communication or cell phones?'

'Her family has to cut back on electronic devices to afford a livable wage. We can talk on the phone, but only once a week. Her phone is on minutes. I can come over and see her, but only on special occasions.'

'Oh, I'm so sorry to hear that.'

'It's ok. Because she is going to UA next year. I know she'll get in, because once she sets her mind to it, she intends to go through. Once she makes it in, we'll be besties once again.'

'Really? Well, I hope she makes it. She sounds like a really great person to be your best friend.'

'Yup, she's sweet, kind and special." Himiko pauses for a second and then she tries something risky. 'Just like you.'

The green haired teen could only stare at his phone in disbelief. He took a moment and thought to himself, 'Special! She thinks I am very special to her!' Before he could respond, Himiko texted first.

'Uh-oh. Gotta go, class is starting. See ya~'

The text conversation finally came to an end. Leaving Izuku a lot to think about. The way he sees it, their bond is growing significantly.

Izuku smiles as he looks at the screen. Basking in the sweetest moment he had never felt before.

"Holy crap, it's true!" Yelled Yubi. snapping Izuku out of the moment with the sudden outburst that came from right behind him.

He turns around, and finds both of Bakugo's closest 'friends' behind him looking down on his phone.

"Why are you two behind me?!" Shouted Izuku.

"We overheard you being all happy on your phone, we had to come over to see if you have a girlfriend."

His face lit up, but he quickly got a hold of himself and denied them. "It's nothing like that! And she's not my girlfriend!"

"Donno, your text messages say otherwise." Yubi points out as he use his long fingers to scroll through his message

Izuku puts both his hands on his phone as he focuses his attention back to them. "Come on, leave me alone. This isn't anything interesting." Izuku argued, hoping that they could let it go.

"I don't think so, after all, everyone seems to disagree."

"Huh?" Izuku turned back around, and saw everyone in the class had all gathered in front of his desk. "WHAT?! SINCE WHEN DID-"

"For about two minutes now. Enough stalling, Midoryia!" yelled a random student. "Who is this girl? and how did you manage to land a girlfriend?"

Everyone awaits for answers.

The quirkless teen has no words on how much the situation had escalated. Throughout his life he had always craved some attention from people, but now he's reviving it for the wrong reasons.

Even if he knew how, he still wouldn't tell anyone. For starters, they weren't dating… at least as far as he knows. Not only that, if anyone were to find out that the girl was Singapore herself, his classmates will never leave him alone and will probably follow him to their study time on friday.

"Hang on a second!" halted Yubi as he got everyone to quiet down. "Does this girl know you're quirkless?"

"Wha- why does that matter?" Izuku asked, not getting why they brought that up. But soon after he answered that, everyone backed up and seemed to lose all interest as they all started to leave. "What the?"

Izuku was shocked about how fast they all quickly started to leave him after confirming that question.

"Oh boy. You know, for a second there, we were worried there for a second."

"What do you mean by that?"

The long finger bully was getting annoyed that he wasn't getting this. "Isn't it obvious? She doesn't know you're quirkless, she's gonna leave you the moment she finds out."

Upon hearing this, he refused to believe that Himiko would do that to him, especially after getting to know her. Izuku then argued back to them. "That's not true, she wouldn't do that!" It wasn't like him to get a little upset, and normally wouldn't be able to talk back to his bullies. But the way talk about his second favorite hero annoyed him.

"Oh yeah deku? Then how come she doesn't know?"

"Because it wasn't brought up before."

"Well if that's the case, then why don't you just text her the truth to see if you believe that. Come on, prove me wrong."

Izuku thought about telling her, but he didn't have the guts to take the phone out of his pocket.

The bully saw his hesitation and already knew the outcome. "As expected.I don't even know how you managed to land a girlfriend, let alone a friend."

Those last words, Izuku thought about them.

He thinks back to when they first met. How they even became friends was in the first place, or how he even thought he would have a chance at something to form. That's when he remembered one important thing, she was the one who wanted to be friends with him.

From the moment they first met, she was the one who came to Izuku and even admitted to having feelings for him. Izuku didn't even do anything to impress her.

He only made a fool out of himself.

And yet… she still talked to him.

That had to mean something. She took time out of her day to talk, text and she even has plans to hang out with him.

That's when he looks back on his phone and one of the last few messages she replied. 'Special, just like you.'

"No!" Izuku shouts out.

The two bullies halted as they heard Deku yelling out. "What was that?"

Izuku, for the first time, felt so sure about something in his life. "She was the one who asked me to be her friend. I haven't done anything to earn her friendship, but she asked me anyway."

Yubi was surprised that he was standing up to himself, not surprising seeing that Bakugo ain't here. He then brought up his previous statement. "But once she finds out you're-"

"No!" He slightly yells, not waiting to raise his voice anymore. He switched over back to a more calm yet serious voice "We only met for merely more than a week, and after all that time she treats me as her friend."

Izuku believes this to be true, especially after the many times of them hanging out. Especially after knowing her on a personal level, she could never see her abandoning him.

"She'll never abandon me because I'm quirkless, Singapura isn't like that!"

…

The whole class became silent as they all turned their heads to Izuku after he accidentally revealed the identity of this girl. Izuku slammed his mouth shut, as all traces of his newfound confidence vanished in thin air.

He prepared himself for everyone's reaction. Thinking that they would overcrowd him for unwanted attention.

But to his surprise, they all started laughing instead. They all rather believe that h e lost his mind.

Not a single classmate believed that the Singapura would be friends with Izuku. It was way too impossible to imagine for them.

"Singapura? Really, Deku? Man, Bakago is right about you. You do dream too big." Yubi laughed as he went back to his desk.

They all soon left him alone, not expecting any more from him. That's when class was about to start.

Although this wasn't the outcome he predicted, Izuku actually preferred that no one believed him.

Despite earning himself some humiliation for the next week, he is still happy, because he is going to hang out with Himiko with no one interrupting them.

(A few days later)

Once the final school bell rang, The hallways began to flood with students chatting and planning on what to do on the weekend. Izuku however had an important meeting with his new friend. He starts to happily run to his destination, without a care in the world.

'Spending a day with Singapore!'

Things are definitely looking up for him, as he looked forward to this day for a while now.

But unknown to him, two certain individual's took notice.

"There he goes, going a completely different route." pointed Yubi, one of Izuku's two bullies.

"Yeah, Friday after school, just like he said. But are we really going to see who Deku is hanging out with?" Daiki asked.

"Yeah, Deku has been acting way different than usual. There's definitely a girl talking to him, and I'm curious to see who it is. Come on, let's see this mystery girl."

The two bullies start to tail behind Izuku to see where he's going. Making sure to not give any suspicion that he suspects them.

After minutes of walking, Izuku finally made it to the park where he was supposed to meet Himiko. luckily it was not filled with many people today. He searched for Himiko everywhere, hoping that she would be here. He waits on a bench until she arrives.

Meanwhile the two bullies were hiding behind some bushes not too far away. They remained out of sight.

"All right, he appears to have stopped. But I don't see this girl." Yubi pointed.

"Who do you think this girl might be?" asked Daiki.

"Whoever she is, there's no way that Deku could have a girlfriend without knowing he is quirkless. I mean there's just no way a girl would just walk up to him and ask him out, simple as that. What kind of girl would do that?"

He received no response as his friend became very quiet for some reason.

Yubi turned back to his friend to find him surprised by something as his jaw was dropped. "What's up with you?"

His friend just pointed his finger to what he was looking at. Yubi turned to the direction he was pointing and he saw a familiar girl running down the park's field. His jaw also dropped as he became speechless.

Back over at Izuku, he was starting to get worried if Himiko was coming. "I'm right on time, but where is-"

"Over here!"

After hearing her voice, Izuku turns to the source and sees her running across the field to him. He took one good look to see all of her adorable features. Her open mouth smiles, revealing her fangs. She let her hair down, along with some stray hairs, as it was flowing against the wind. Even the way she was skipping towards him was adorable.

It was also the first time he's seen Himiko in her UA uniform. He was so used to seeing her in a cat costume, that it felt like a nice breath of fresh air to see her in a more casual look.

Himiko quickly went up to Izuku with a cheerful smile. "Sorry, did i keep you waiting."

"N-No, not at all."

"That's good to know." Himiko lays her backpack down and sits right next to him. "Now then, let's study."

"Right."

The teens immediately began work on their own projects, and even chatted along the way about their homework.

But unknown to both the teens and the two bullies watching by. Himiko's adoptive family were at the park too. They were on the other side of the field, all four of them were in trenchcoats and playing chess as they all watched both Izuku and Himiko.

"I can't believe you all made me lie to my own daughter just so we can bring them together." Ryuko angrily told everyone.

"But it worked, look at them." Tomoko argued,

"Yes, I fear that little Ryuko wouldn't want to bother us to go all this way, just for them to visit. But they need to interact in person for this to work."

"Indeed," Shino agreed. "Communication between electrons can only go so far. Only with in person interaction will their relationship bloom more naturally."

While Ryuko wasn't on board with this, she can't lie and say that this is for the best cause for her daughter. "Alright, but at least get better disguises next time. Not even villains would think these trench coat disguises would work."

Back over to the couple, they were both doing their own work, until Himiko recognized the journal Izuku had in his hands.

"Hey, isn't that the same journal from the meet and greet?"

"Uhh… yeah it is." He felt a bit shy when she brought it up.

During the past two weeks since Himiko met Izuku, Shino taught her to be more prescriptive on someone else's interest.

After learning about him for a while, he was a little geeky with the hero stuff. With a slight hint of passion towards the subject. Quite the adorable hobby.

"I noticed the title, 'Hero analysis', what does that mean? Does it contain any information on heroes?"

"Yeah, it does."

"Wow, can I see?"

Izuku's nerves skyrocketed once she asked that. No one has ever asked to see his notebook before. He honestly feels shy about it, but he trusts Himiko enough to show her. "Ok."

He hands his notebook over to her and she opens it. After reading it, she was surprised by all the information he had on the heroes.

"Wow you really did your homework on each hero. You even captured their pose correctly." Himiko compliments as she flips through the pages of each hero he researched.

"Yeah, just don't turn the page-" Himiko found her hero page in the journal. "And you found it."

Izuku believes that this would ruin something between them, but Himiko just smiles as she looks at herself in the journal.

"It's so cute how you drew me."

The compliment surprised him. "Really? You like it?"

"Yeah, you're really on point with your art skills. I wish I could draw like this."

Her encouraging words made him happier. "Thank you. I'm glad that you liked them."

Himiko read some of the previous hero entries in the journal and noticed that they talk a lot about their quirks. "You're quite knowledgeable about quirks, aren't you?"

"Yeah, I'm very… fond of quirks."

"Clearly." Himiko teased as she saw all the theories he made to figure out her quirk. So far, most of them are cat related. "You seem to be quite interested to know what my quirk is."

"Was I close?"

"Nope, sorry."

Izuku sighs in defeat. Himiko laughs silly at Izuku's frustration.

Suddenly, Himiko notices that Izuku was making small talk by himself.

"Maybe her quirk could be related to her eyes and teeth because it seems like a mutation."

Izuku stops himself when he notices Himiko looking at him curiously, that's when he realizes that he was muttering again.

"I'm sorry. I tend to mutter when I think. it's a bad habit, i didn't mean to creep you out."

"Actually, I think it's a cute trait to have."

Izuku blushed hard when she told him that his muttering was cute. That was the first time that anyone has ever said anything nice about his muttering, he felt happy.

"Also, no. My adorable cat-like mutation has nothing to do with my quirk… or at least not that I know of."

They both laughed at that second thought as she returned his journal back.

Then Himiko then asked him something else. "Hey, not to change the subject, but I'm coming to town next weekend to do a photo shoot with my family. Do you want to come visit?"

That invitation had caught him off guard. "Really? Am I even allowed to visit?"

"Yeah, I'm allowed to bring a friend backstage. I did it a bunch of times with Ochaco." Before she could discuss any further, she had an idea. "Speaking of which, she'll also be there. You should come and meet her too."

Izuku was surprised to hear that. He began to get shy from the idea. "Meeting your friend? Are you sure that's a good idea?"

"Totally, Ochaco is the bestest friend ever. She'll make you feel warm and fuzzy inside. You'll definitely like her."

Although meeting new people wasn't Izuku's strong suit. But, the way she talked about her friend made it alright. "Alright, I come over."

"Yay!" Himiko cheered as she leaned closer against Izuku's side.

Back over the bushes, the two bullies watched in complete disbelief.

"I don't believe it! Izuku's girlfriend is Singapura!" Yubi shouted as his brain was having a meltdown believing this.

"Should we go over there and tell her that he's quirkless?" Suggested Daiki.

"No way! Haven't you been watching? She even likes his mumbling! his mumbling! She is definitely very attached to him. Plus if we do something like go up to them, she'll definitely see us as a threat. She'll beat us up just like in the sports festival!"

He looks back at his partner to see him typing on his phone. "What are you doing now?"

"I'm sending a video of this to everyone in school. They are not going to believe this!"

"No!" Yubi grabs his phone out of his hands out of sheer panic.

"What was that for?!"

"Nobody can know about this!"

"Why not?!"

"If word got out that Deku is actually dating Singapura, we'll be forever known as the boys lower than deku."

After being explained why, he suddenly became aware of how his popularity could be affected. "Well damn. But what do we say to everyone back at school if they ask?"

"We say that the girl isn't much and that she doesn't know he is quirkless. People already don't believe in deku anyway, so we should be fine."

They both agree and make their exit away from the park.

Both Izuku and Himiko found themselves having a nice study session together. After they finish, they go their separate ways and wish each other well.

(A few days later)

Himiko was at home preparing for the photo shoot within the next few days. But little did Izuku know, she was planning on asking him out. Even though it was a bit early, she couldn't hold her feelings in anymore. She wanted to confess her love for him.

She sat in her room, in front of her desk, thinking about what he should say to him. She didn't know how to tell him in a romantic manner other than saying it straight out.

"If only you were here, Ochaco."

Himiko had yet to tell her best friend about Izuku. She wanted to see how this relationship would go first before making it official. And after a while, she's ready to tell her.

But she hasn't called since last week and she figures that she hasn't made enough for more minutes this week. She hoped that her friend would call soon so she could tell her the news.

But despite that, there was still her main concern.

While her feelings for him were there, she still had one problem that needed to be addressed.

'Do I tell him now?' Her secret, the quirk she kept from everyone. the one thing that she felt could ruin her chances with him. 'Will he accept me?'

Even if she was scared, she had one person that would help her. Ochaco's presence is enough to help give her the moral support she needs to ask him out.

Not only that, but she wants her help on how to tell him about her quirk. With her there, Himiko feels like she can do anything.

*buzz-buzz*

Just when she finished planning everything, her phone suddenly went off. "Huh?" She normally doesn't get any phone calls, who could be calling her?

She takes her phone out and raises it against her face. She was surprised to find out upon reading upon reading the caller ID it was her best friend. "Ochaco?"

She found it very unusual for her to call her out of their schedule calls they agreed upon. Which leads her to believe that something must've happened.

She answered the phone and puts it up to her ear. "Ochaco?"

After getting the first word in, she suddenly heard faint crying on the other side. This brings the fear into Himiko. "Ochaco?! What's wrong?!"

Once she asks that, her best friend starts to explain everything over the phone. Soon Himiko begins to feel a sense of dread. Her body became motionless, her cheery attitude disappeared, and sadness took over.

"No…" that's what Himiko could say, before returning silent.

Before Ochaco's phone finally disconnected from the last few seconds of service left. She utters her final words to Himiko.

"I'll… I'll miss you."

That was all Himiko heard before her phone was cut off.

Himiko snapped out of it and focused on her phone.

"Ochaco! Please no!" Himiko redials her number again. To talk to her, one last time.

We're sorry, you have reached a number that has been disconnected or is no longer in service.

"No! Himiko redials again and again, but it was hopeless.

Faced with the sad reality of the situation, she sat in place, as tears ran down her face. "Please… I need you."

…

Somewhere in Mafune, on the day of the shoot.

Upon finishing school, Izuku rushed over to where the photo shoot was taking place. He was on his way to visit Himiko again. As of recently, she hasn't been able to show herself online, but they have been still texting. But less frequently than usual. He merely guessed that she could've been busy with UA related work.

While he so much enjoyed their time together, there was one thing that was bothering him for a while. Mostly his quirkless situation. As more time passed, he wondered if he should tell her. He still believes that it wouldn't change anything, but it was important to him that she knew. and he couldn't help himself to feel pressure about it.

Would she still like him quirkless?

He managed to find the location of the photo shoot. It was a small three story building covered in dark tinted windows. He checked the address again and sure enough this was the place.

Once he checked in with the clerk, he hurried along inside. Up the stairs down the hallway and he soon found the room they were in.

"All right, it's now or never."

Izuku knocked on the door, soon after that the door was opened by a very angry mother.

"I told you before! She's not feeling well! Now leave her-" Ryuko stops herself from yelling once she sees Izuku in front of her. "Oh, it's you. Izuku Midoriya, right?" Of course she knew who he was, but she had to make it sound like they had never met.

The green-haired boy became starstruck upon meeting Pixie bob herself. "Yes ma'am, your daughter asked me to come here. Is it alright if I can see her?"

Ryuko changed her expression to a more sad and serious look. "I'm afraid it's going to be a little more difficult than that."

This caught Izuku's attention. "What do you mean?"

"Something had happened a few days ago and she is not feeling well."

Izuku immediately became concerned for his friend. "What?! What happened?!"

Ryuko seems to be a bit hesitant to tell him, but she thought it would be best to let him know. "Her best friend moved away to the countryside to live with her relatives due to a job opportunity they received. They said that it was very important for them to take."

Izuku was shocked to hear the answer. Losing a best friend. He couldn't imagine how much pain Himiko was feeling right now.

"Would it be alright if I could see her? I wanna see if I can help."

Ryuko ponders for a minute, she didn't think that Izuku could help in any way. But seeing as they exhausted their other options to help her, she figures that it's worth a try. "Alright, come in. I'll take you to her room."

Izuku was let inside as Ryuko led the way to Himiko's room. On his way, he saw the three other team members waiting by the side. They waved to him awkwardly as Izuku made his way.

Izuku would have been more starstruck, but he was too focused on Himiko's well-being to think about that.

Afthe making it to her room door, Ryuko knocks on her room door. "Himiko? Your friend came to see you. He's coming in." She turns to Izuku and lets him know. "Alright, here's your chance. You bet not hurt my little one anymore, or I'll be mad. Got it!"

"Yes, Miss Tsuchikawa!"

"Good." Ryuko steps aside as she lets him inside the room.

Izuku enters what appears to be a small waiting room with a couch and a huge TV. he saw her sitting on the couch in the middle of the room. All motionless.

As Izuku steps inside he closes the door. The noise from the shut door was enough to make her notice his presence.

She turns to him, trying her hardest to show no signs of discomfort or sadness. As if nothing has happened. Not wanting him to worry about her recent misfortune. "Hey, what's up. It's nice to see you again."

The way she smiled at him, Izuku knew more than anyone that she was faking it. "I heard what happened."

Himiko's face then reveals her true feelings upon hearing that, showing a more sad and tearful look. "You did?"

She turns around as she returns to looking straight forward into the wall.

Izuku then sat on the couch next to her, not close, but enough to keep her distance. It was obvious to him that losing her friend has really affected her. He wanted to do everything to help her. Without hesitation, he told her. "If there's anything you need, I'm here for you."

Himiko heard his offer to help, and while it's appreciated. There's unfortunately nothing that could be done.

"Thanks, but… it hurts so much. Nothing can take away this pain. I'm not sure if you could understand what it feels like."

To say that he knows the exact feeling she's going through would be an understatement. But he could understand losing a friend. "I may not exactly understand, but I have lost a friend before."

She turns to him with a sad face. "You have?"

"Yeah, and I know just how painful it is to lose someone. After knowing them for a long time.

This may not have helped, but she was opening up to him now. "May I ask what happened?"

Izuku nodded as he shared his story. "We were very little back then. We were the same age, and we both dreamed of being heroes. At the time, he was the strongest kid in school, even now people look up to him."

"Really? But what happened to cause you two to not be friends?"

"One day, he obtained his quirk. The quirk itself is amazing, everybody could see him become a powerful hero with it. But he ended up breaking off our friendship, because he believes that I would never amount to being a hero like he'll be and that I'll be in the way."

Himiko was very surprised to hear this. As she would never think of anyone saying this to him. "That's not nice."

"He may have done some bad things and his attitude has worsened since, but to tell the truth, I really want us to be friends again. If that's even possible."

Himiko could see the genuine sadness in his face when he talked about this friend. "I'm sorry to hear that. This person has meant a lot to you if you still want to be his friend."

"He did once, but I'm not so sure anymore." Izuku finished off, as he was still unsure what he thinks of him now.

After hearing his story, Himiko felt like opening up to him a lot more, until she noticed one missing detail. "But I have one question."

Izuku curiously turns over to her, "Ask away."

"Why did he think that you won't be a hero?"

…

This was it. The moment for him to tell her his secret. He was by far terrified to see what she would say to him if she knew. But he had to tell her sooner or later.

Himiko looks worried after not immediately responding.

With all the strength, he mustered up the courage to take his chance to tell her. "It's because… I'm quirkless."

Izuku looked at Himiko's face to see what she would think of him now that he told her. She looks at him with a shock expression on her face.

After one glance, Izuku's heart felt as if it shattered. He only turns his head away, thinking that him being quirkless did present a problem, and that he was fool to think it didn't. He feels ashamed to even look back at her.

But before he could think more less of himself, Himiko burst out the first thing that came to her mind.

"He stopped being your friend for that?!" She yelled as that revelation finally took her mind off her friend's sudden departure.

Once Izuku heard that, he turned back to her with a confused look. "Yeah…"

"Ok, now that's just going too far!"

Izuku wasn't sure if Himiko was ok with him being quirkless, so he made sure. "Wait, You don't mind that I'm quirkless?"

"What?!" Himiko asked as she didn't see why that would matter. "No, of course not! Why would I mind?"

Ather hearing that, he was very relieved, but now he had to explain why.

"Well it's just that… everyone in school who heard of me being quirkless often wouldn't associate with me."

After being told that, she began to look worried for him. "Everyone?"

"Yeah, I was afraid that you might not want to be friends anymore if I told you. Just like how everyone in school had done." he looked away, feeling ashamed about himself.

At that moment, Himiko clearly saw how having no quirk has affected him. She had never known that being quirkless could present a problem before. Granted she was only homeschool till middle school and she mostly kept to herself for the most part until last year.

But seeing Izuku now, and how he felt about it. She could sense a very familiar feeling from him. She could see that Izuku didn't see himself as anything more than himself, because he didn't have a quirk.

After realizing that, she looked at him and told him how she felt. "I would never do anything like that to you! Because you're a really great person and I enjoy hanging out with you!"

Izuku finally looks back at her with a sense of relief. "Really? You mean that?

"Yeah!" Himiko as she wanted to let him know how much he means to her. But of course she had no self control when she spoke from the heart.

"I love you no matter what!"

…

A moment of silence came between the two, especially regarding the last thing Himiko just told him.

On the plus side, now she got her mind off her friend's departure completely for the moment until this was resolved.

Himiko's face was a bright shade of red, she waited to see what Izuku would say.

Despite being told early on how she felt about him. It still didn't prepare him to hear those words from her. Especially now of all time.

"What?!" Izuku finally screamed after seconds of silence.

"I… I mean." Now it was her turn to be a scrambling mess. As she struggles on what to say.

"Did you mean as a friend?" Izuku quickly imputed, trying to salvage from this embarrassment they were having.

She could have said yes and they would have been back to their usual selves. But no, she was going to be honest to him. "No, as in… love love."

After confirming what she meant, both of them became silent as they didn't know what to do next.

"But why me? I'm not special, I don't have a quirk… or anything going for me." he questioned her, still doubting there's anything special about him.

But for Himiko, she knows why. "It's Because…I just like you. When I first met you, I wanted to know more about you. To see what kind of person you are."

"And what did you find?"

"I found you cute, gentle, and very smart. With each day we talked, I can't help but love you more and more. I love talking to you a lot. You may not see it, but you mean a lot to me."

Izuku's face lights up as Himiko talks more about him. Up until now, he had never felt like he mattered to anyone. But now, he feels happy about himself. "Thank you."

She shows him an open mouth smile before both of them return back to silence.

Not knowing what to do next, Izuku asks her a more important question. "Do you believe that I can be a hero?"

With a question like that, Himiko puts on a more serious tone, and she looks at him. She gave her honest answers on the subject. "Yeah, I believe anyone can be a hero, especially when they put in the effort into being one."

Upon hearing that answer, Izuku wanted to smile, but even after receiving his answer, he still wasn't sure. Which caused him to ask something else.

"Really? Even if I have nothing?"

After hearing that response, she knew that it wasn't going to be easy to convince him. Then she thought about all the trouble of making it this far.

"Is it ok if i tell you a story?"

Izuku nods, thinking that it relates to him. As Himiko prepares her story.

"Not long ago, my family discussed my future career as a hero. I wanted to go to UA. They talked about getting me in UA through recommendations. With it I would make it in easily. But in the end, my mom decided against it."

Izuku looked shocked to hear that. "Wha? Why would she do that?"

"She told me that being a hero is granted easily. I didn't really get what she meant. But after reaching this far, it became clear. Being a hero takes a lot of time and effort."

"So how did you manage to get into UA?"

"I had to undergo intense training from the world's strictest mentor with high expectations. Aizawa sure didn't make it easy."

"Aizawa?"

"He is my mentor that trained me for UA, a hero, and a close friend of my family. He's the one who helped teach me all the moves I learned. He trained me to the bone to help me get into UA."

"How did the exam go?"

"The entrance exam was difficult. I was barely eligible for class 1-B. I felt sad that I wasn't in 1-A, but after much class training, I found it to be my pace. After a while, I took it as an opportunity for growth."

"Really?" Izuku felt glad to hear that from her.

"Well that, and all of class A in UA currently got expelled, so i wasn't complaining anymore."

"Wait, what was that last part?"

"Nothing, but my point being. Heroes are titles that are earned. Look at Tomoko and Shino when they entered UA, they had to make use of what they had. It's about making due with what you have. And trying everything to make it come true." Himiko then thought back to a dream she had long ago. "Even if a lot of people don't believe in you."

"Wow, this was a lot. I'll need more time to think it over."

Before they could continue, Ryuko came into the room to check on her daughter. "Little cub, are you doing alright?

"I feel a bit better now. I think I can finish up the shoot."

"That's good, say goodbye to your friend, we can't have any distractions."

"Alight." She then turns over to Izuku. "You better head off, i'll text you

"Ok, I wish you well."

"Izuku, before you go I have one thing to ask."

Izuku turned around As Ryuko waited. "Oh? What is it?"

"I told you how I feel about you, so now it's your turn. How do you feel about me?"

Izuku wasn't expecting this, he began shaking. And her mom was watching closely to see what he would say.

'Come on Izuku, now your chance to tell her how you feel! Just say it!' without any restraint, he said the one thing that came to mind.

"I have had a crush on you ever since the sports festival!"

The room became silent as he yelled out those words without thinking. Izuku looks over at Pixie Bob as light was beaming off her glasses with disapproval. Izuku wouldn't blame her for smacking him upside the head, because even he would do that to himself.

"I mean- I like you very much!" Izuku imputed, trying to take away the awkwardness.

Himiko however found both his words rather cute and amusing. "Thank you, once I feel up to it, do you wanna go on a date?"

The moment she said the word date, his brain had to do a short reset before he could answer. "Yes!"

"Alright mister, off you go!" Ryuko being the grumpy mother that she is, pushes the shocked teen right outside the door.

Until then, they both look forward to the day where they will date.

For the next few days, Himiko recovers bit by bit from her friend's sudden move. While she deeply misses her friend, she knows that Ochaco wouldn't want her to spend all her time missing her. She'll want her to move on.

The only hope she had of seeing her again was that she'll go to UA next year. It may be a long shot, it's the only hope she got.

"Please make it."

After grieving for her friend for so long, she soon became calm… at least to a certain degree to focus on her own life. Even if it hurts, she'll have to live without her best friend being there, for now.

Once she comes to, she thinks about everything that's currently relevant to her.

That's when she thought about Izuku, especially his hero situation.

She believes that he can be a hero, she really does. But It all solely rests on him to make that decision. She really wants him to become a hero, hopefully he'll find a way to become one.

With that aside, she also forgot to tell him one important thing, her quirk. She was so focused on everything else, that she forgot all about it. Perhaps she'll tell him once they go on their date.

Himiko looks around the internet to try and find any distractions to help make her take her mind off things. That's when she came across a certain video that was just released. She noticed the familiar green hair boy in the thumbnail. Upon closer inspection, it was Izuku. She looks at the title of the video.

"Slime monster attack?"

Meanwhile in the living room

The whole cat family were in the other room discussing their opinions on Himiko's green hair friend. Three of the four show approval, but Ryuko was still not yet convinced.

"Nice, kind, and supportive. Midoriya seems like a good person for Himiko." Shino stated as she was confident of her opinion.

"I second that!" Tomoko imputed.

"Yes, a true gentleman for him to help young Tsuchikawa indeed." Yawara analyzed.

"He may impress you two, but I'm not." Ryuko doubted, still standing by her belief.

"Aw, come on Ryuko, didn't at least impress you a little?" Tomoko asked.

"Not quite yet. He still needs to prove himself. And It'll take a lot more than that." She left the room and went over to see how her daughter was doing.

Once she saw her door was open, she peek inside to check in on her. To her surprise she was on her computer.

She saw that her little cub was watching a particular video on an incident involving the boy she's friends with.

After looking at the video from afar, she first thought that it was irresponsible for him to jump into danger, but after seeing it was to save a classmate that had the same uniform as him. She saw it was for a pure intent to save someone.

Ryuko had to admit that he had some major guts to go through such lengths to help someone. "Alright, maybe he ain't all that bad."

She saw her daughter looking much happier. She left her alone for now.

Himiko found it to be very brave for Izuku to do. He went far and beyond to try and save someone without a quirk. She felt happy for him, that he had the courage to try and help someone. That's when she knew that he'll make a great hero.

(later that day)

After watching his action today Himiko texted Izuku to get online the same day of the attack. Once they both got online Himiko talked more about it.

"I saw your heroic attempt on the slime monster today."

"You saw it?! It's already online?!" He was shocked to hear that the incident is already online.

"Yeah, I say you were amazing out there trying to save that boy. Must've been one heck of a day for you."

Her choice of words couldn't have been more wrong. "You have no idea."

"I probably bet you handle yourself like a champ. Although a bit risky, how do you feel?"

"Honestly, I can't even describe it, especially with the day I had. But I mostly wanna know how you're feeling since…"

"I had time, and I feel somewhat better."

"That's good to know."

She smiles wide at him as she asks. "Now that I feel better, do you wanna go on a date this Saturday?"

The way she casually just asked him out was almost enough to make him faint.

Izuku asked one more to make sure. "You mean it?!"

"Yes, I want to take our relationship to the next step! That is if you want to?"

Izuku felt his heart beat extra heavily. "Yeah! Of course!"

As soon as he gave his answer, Izuku's mom started to cheer behind his room door. Listening in on his conversation.

Izuku became a bit embarrassed by his mom's noticeable reaction while Himiko became amused by it all.

"Great! I'm free on Saturday. It'll be my treat. I know a great sushi restaurant. I'll text you the details later."

"Alright, I'll be there."

She signed off, leaving a blushing boy by himself.

So much has happened to Izuku today that he can't even fathom it all. First All Might, next the Slime monster, then One for All, and now this?!

"What a day!"

TO BE CONTINUED…