AN: Thanks for reading and leaving reviews!
"Say hi to Eri for us!" Izuku called out to his sister.
Himiko paused long enough to flash Izuku a fanged smile before she slammed the door to the classroom open and rushed out.
"Someone's happy," Ochako said as she reached Izuku's desk.
"She's going out with Emily afterwards," Izuku explained.
"I get it." Ochako let out a faint giggle as she held out a hand to Izuku. "Guess your mom's gonna have the house all to herself tonight."
"Ehe," Izuku said nervously as he stood up and shouldered his bag before he laced his fingers between hers. "She's already got plans with Toshinori."
"I'm sure." Ochako gave him a mischievous smile before she gently tugged on his hand. "C'mon, let's get going."
Saying their goodbyes as they crossed the classroom, the couple quickly escaped into the hallway themselves, only to merge in the flow of traffic as they made their way out of UA. Once outside, they stepped off the pavement onto a dirt path that led toward the construction site. Or for them, the future site of Height's Alliance and the other dorms.
"Are you sure this is what you want to do?" Izuku asked his girlfriend.
"Yep!" Ochako smiled brightly. "After the past two weeks, I just want to do something simple. Besides, don't you want to see how things are different with my parents handling the construction?"
"Did the plans actually change?" Izuku asked as he took the first step on the path.
"Nope." Ochako shook her head. "Just spread out, since this isn't a rush job this time."
"Right…" Izuku said softly as he remembered the events of Kamino, and the scramble to assemble the dorms in less than a week as a result. "And we're not gonna move in until next year."
"That's gonna be weird," Ochako admitted. "I had fun in the dorms."
"Me too," Izuku agreed.
The pair fell into a comfortable silence as they walked down the path. It didn't take long for them to reach the artificial lake Nezu had installed with students dotting the shore in small groups. Izuku's keen eyes even spotted a couple hiding under a tree on the far side, the pair huddled together as they watched something on a computer.
He decided to give the couple their privacy and returned his gaze to Ochako. The girl seemed to have the same thought, her brown eyes locking with green. The two shared a quiet giggle before Ochako leaned into his side.
"Maybe we could ask our friends to hang out on campus?" Ochako asked. "I know it's not the same but…"
"I know what you mean," Izuku agreed. "It'll be a better bonding activity than getting attacked?"
Ochako let out a barking laugh before she pulled away just far enough to glare at him. "These last two weeks were already plenty enough for the year." She let out a soft sigh. "What I wouldn't give for that to be all of it."
"I'm sorry," Izuku said as he squeezed Ochako's hand. "I didn't mean to–"
"I know," Ochako cut him off.
The two continued in silence until they reached the construction fence, a simple but sturdy chain link fence that ran in both directions with a large sign for Uraraka Construction hanging next to the gate. Silently, the gravity girl freed herself from her boyfriend's grasp, using her now-free hands to tug her gloves off of her other hand. With a smile, she turned toward Izuku and held out her hand.
"Ready to break into a construction site?"
"Is it really breaking in if your name is on the sign?"
Ochako rolled her eyes. "Technically, we're not supposed to be here. My parents would yell at us!"
"You're more afraid of them yelling at us than of an accident?"
"Izu, please. I've spent the better part of a decade around a construction site. And that was before One For All."
"I guess you're right." Izuku offered her a playful smile before he took her hand, only to feel the now-familiar feeling of weightlessness come over him.
Ochako gently pulled her arm, with Izuku still attached, back and threw him upward. As Izuku found himself floating skyward, he launched a Blackwhip tendril down, anchoring himself to the fence. He was soon joined by his girlfriend as he felt her hands wrap around his arm, pulling herself close to him. Not wasting time, Izuku pulled on the tendril, sending the pair back down towards the earth. He adjusted himself to land on his feet, his knees folding as he attempted to bleed momentum.
"Release!" Ochako called with perfect timing, and Izuku felt gravity reassert itself before he had the chance to take off again.
Detaching herself from her boyfriend, Ochako made her way over to a nearby portable building, fishing a set of keys out of her bag as she did so. Izuku watched curiously as she unlocked the building and disappeared, only to return a moment later with a hard hat on her head and another in hand.
"What're those for?"
"Like I said-" Ochako smirked as she tossed the hard hat to her boyfriend. "-I've spent the better part of a decade around a construction site."
"Ehe," Izuku laughed nervously as he caught the hat and put it on. "So onward to Heights Alliance?"
"Yep!" Ochako smiled brightly. "I'm sure you know the way!"
The two continued onward down the path, weaving through piles of construction materials until they came upon the skeleton of their past – and future – dorm. Ochako placed a hand on herself to remove her gravity and quickly found herself caught by her boyfriend. She wrapped her hands around his arm, removing his gravity in the process, and once they were free of the laws of physics, Izuku once again launched Blackwhip. The tendril secured itself around a beam at the top of the construction, and Izuku swiftly reeled himself in. The two wrapped their legs around the beam, and finally Ochako once again restored their gravity.
"It doesn't look like much," Izuku said as he looked down at the criss-cross of beams below them. Letting out a sigh, he then slid closer to Ochako. "But in those nine months, it felt like home."
"I know what you mean," Ochako said as she wrapped an arm around Izuku's side. "At least the view's still impressive?"
Izuku followed his girlfriend's gaze to the view of the city below. "It is." He turned his attention back to the girl who sat beside him, his arm finding its way around her shoulders. "But you're still more impressive."
"Dork," Ochako giggled before burying her head in his shoulder in an attempt to hide her growing blush. "I can't wait to watch the stars on the roof with you."
"Even though we watch them every night?"
"Yep! That's nice but…" Izuku felt disappointment as she pulled away from him, only to suddenly feel her soft lips on his cheeks. "Like everything else we do, it's much nicer out here."
Izuku shuddered at the sensation of her lips dancing on his cheeks. Turning his head, his lips found hers as he replied with a kiss of his own.
"You're right." He gave her a warm smile as his hand pushed away an errant strand of her hair, tucking it behind her ear.
"Of course I am," she replied with a playful smirk before leaning in for another kiss. With a content sigh, she then adjusted herself to lean into his side, wrapping his arm around her like a warm blanket.
"So did you do that a lot? Watch the stars, I mean."
"Mhm," Ochako said brightly. "I managed to save up my money to get a telescope, even! It wasn't much and Yaoyorozu kept offering to buy a nicer one for when we had our 'viewing parties,' but…" She let out a fond sigh. "That silly telescope was always more than enough for me."
"Are you going to rebuy the same one?"
"Maybe! I know my parents have that permanent contract with UA so money's not an issue anymore but…" She let out a fond sigh.
"I get it. It's like those All Might figures I keep rebuying."
"Even though he's basically your dad now?"
"Ehe…" Izuku rubbed the back of his neck nervously with his free hand. "It's not like he's asked Mom to marry him or anything."
"Izu," Ochako deadpanned. "Have you seen how they act around each other? It's only a matter of time." Her voice softened as she continued. "And really… he deserves it."
"Yeah, he does. And so does Mom."
"Besides! I'd rather have more of those changes then the surprise we had at the USJ!"
"Me too," Izuku agreed. "Hopefully nothing happens at the Sports Festival…"
"You still planning on confronting Todoroki?"
Izuku nodded. "Although, I don't want to break my arm again to do so." He let out a laugh that was far faster and higher-pitched than he would have liked.
"I know." Ochako squeezed his side with her arm to reassure him. "I hope he listens to you again."
"I'll find a way."
"I'm sure you will. We've just gotta make sure you meet him in the Elimination rounds."
"You worried I won't?"
"I dunno," Ochako said playfully. "We've got some real powerhouses in the class now."
"We do, and our classmates have really been getting into training for it as well."
"I'm not surprised." Izuku felt Ochako vibrating against him as she let out a soft laugh. "Between us and our friends… not to mention Todoroki and Iida…"
"Nobody wants to be left behind," Izuku said softly.
"But that's not what I was talking about and you know it." Ochako pulled away from Izuku and he could see her smirking.
"You mean – oh."
"Yep!" Ochako replied brightly. "You know at some point we're gonna be facing each other, and I'm gonna kick your ass!"
"Are you sure about that?" Izuku asked. "Zero Gravity doesn't exactly work on me now, and I've been practicing how to move under Heavy Gravity."
"Then I'll just kick your butt the old fashioned way!" Ochako crossed her arms and Izuku saw the fire in her eyes. Normally he would find her determination incredibly attractive, but now wasn't the time for distractions!
"Besides," Izuku continued, "Blackwhip means I'll outrange you!"
"Unless I throw your emotions off!" Ochako gave him a sly grin. "Like this!"
Without giving Izuku a chance to respond, he felt her hand on the back of his head as their lips locked. He momentarily felt his mind blank as he kissed back, his eyes closing briefly to enjoy the sensation…
…only to realize he was now floating.
Izuku jerked his head back. "Ochaaaa…!"
"Aww, I was enjoying that," Ochako pouted.
Izuku responded with a pout of his own, crossing his arms for maximum effect. "That was playing dirty!"
"It worked though, didn't it?" she asked. "Just one little push and you'd be out of the ring!"
"But now that I know your plan it won't work!" Izuku protested.
"You can say that but we both know the truth," Ochako giggled. Taking pity on her boyfriend, she released her hand and pressed her fingertips together, releasing him from her quirk.
Izuku, meanwhile, continued to sit there with a pout on his face and his arms crossed.
Despite her best efforts, Ochako felt herself cracking under the look. Finally letting out a resigned sigh, she slid closer to her boyfriend. "I'm sorry Izu."
"Does this mean you won't play dirty at the Sports Festival?" Izuku asked as he uncrossed his arms.
"Nope!"
Izuku let out a soft sigh. "Of course you'd say that. Can we at least enjoy a kiss without you using your quirk on me?"
"Of course," Ochako murmured, already sliding her hand back behind his head. He could immediately tell the difference with her pinky raised, and leaned forward to find her lips, the two enjoying a passionate kiss while the world continued around them.
Once they were done, they settled into each other's side. There they continued to talk and people-watch until the sun began to set and their stomachs began to protest. Deciding that they've had enough for the day, they bid goodbye to their once and future home before they lowered themselves to the ground and left the school in search of food.
"You ready to go?" Ochako asked her friends as she shouldered her bag.
"Yeah!" Aika cheered. "It's been too long since we've gone out for Karaoke!"
"Maybe if someone didn't ban it." Himiko threw a venomous glare at Kyoka.
"Hey, it's not my fault that Song, despite her name, can't carry a tune to save her life."
"She tries!" Himiko protested.
"Enthusiasm only makes it worse!" Kyoka countered.
"I already told you we can go out again with Emily," Izuku tried to reassure his sister.
Himiko softened as she turned her attention toward her brother. "Thanks Izu. I'm glad to know at least someone is on my side here."
"Your funeral," Kyoka remarked as she smirked at the siblings before she looked at Ochako. "So where's Shield gonna meet us?"
Ochako glanced down at her phone and then back to her friend. "Just outside!"
"Great! Let's get going!"
Without another word, Aika crossed the classroom, the other girls trying to keep up with her when she opened the door to reveal the hallway. And the third year transfer student who was leaning against the far wall waiting for them.
"Hey!" Melissa said brightly as she separated from the wall. "Thanks for letting me tag along."
"Of course!" Ochako said as she finally caught up with Aika in the hallway.
"So how's your prep for the Sports Festival going?" Aika asked as the group began walking down the hallway. "We've all been training hard this week for it!"
"Aika–"
"No it's okay," Melissa assured Kyoka. "Sure I may be new to UA, but they haven't seen what I can do yet!" She flexed her arm for emphasis. "Besides…" She lowered her voice to a stage-whisper. "There's a few of my dad's old inventions I've been rebuilding since last summer. I can't wait to show them to the world!"
"Oooh!" Aika exclaimed. "I can't wait to see it!"
"Me neither," Ochako agreed.
"And how about the four of you?" Melissa asked curiously. "I've been keeping up with Ochako but haven't had time to really pay attention to the rest of you…" She rubbed the back of her head as she got an apologetic look on her face. "...sorry about that."
"Don't be!" Aika insisted. "We know how much of a handful those two are–"
"Hey!"
"-but they're doing important stuff!"
"Emmy's more than happy to take care of me," Himiko said with a bright smile. "And her support gear's pretty great too."
Ochako and Melissa nearly choked, earning a loud bark of laughter from the girl.
"I know my quirk isn't super flashy," Himiko admitted as she continued on unphased. "But as long as I can make it to the third round and show people that there's nothing bad or wrong with my quirk I'll be happy!"
"That's…" Melissa took a moment to compose herself before she continued. "...a great goal. Although aren't you going to try going as far as you can?"
"Of course!" Himiko chirped before she pointed an accusatory finger at Ochako. "But we all know that Izu or Ocha's gonna win the whole thing. The rest of us are fighting for top four, at best."
"You don't have to say it out loud, you know," Kyoka grumbled as she jabbed Himiko's shoulder with an ear jack.
Himiko rolled her eyes and swatted at the jack until her friend retracted it. "It's not like half our class believes it anyways."
"Well, their loss," Melissa said with a faint smile as she watched the first years going back and forth.
"Yep!" Ochako said with a far-too-bright smile, causing her classmates to shudder in dread.
Eventually the five girls made their way to the karaoke box and checked into the room. After food and drinks were ordered, Aika and Kyoka busied themselves by flipping through song lists, but Ochako's attention was focused on the third year girl.
"Nervous?" Ochako asked.
"M-me?" Melissa said, jumping as if she was scared by a sudden sound.
"Sorry," Ochako offered her an apologetic smile. "Is something on your mind?"
"I just…" Melissa's gaze drifted to the two girls who were bickering over their choice of first song. "Never have done anything like this before?"
"Wait, seriously?" Kyoka spun around, her attention suddenly on Melissa.
"Didn't you have friends you hung out with on the island?" Himiko asked. "Even Emmy had a group that she hung out with."
Melissa's face momentarily fell before she shook her head in an attempt to cover it up. But it was enough for Ochako to notice. Turning to Himiko, she shot the other girl a withering glare before she once again looked at the upperclassman. "You don't have to tell us if you don't–"
"No, it's okay," Melissa assured them, despite how vulnerable she looked. "I just… didn't have a lot of friends on the Island. I always well… the Shield name had a certain weight behind it and I wanted to live up to expectations. So I buckled down and studied and became the top of the class…"
"...But you didn't really have friends," Ochako finished.
"Yeah," Melissa said softly.
"That's so terrible!" Aika exclaimed. Before anyone could respond, she crossed the small room and crashed into the older girl, sending them both to the floor in an undignified heap.
"Aika!" Kyoka protested.
"S-sorry!" the girl apologized as she scrambled off the floor. "I just–"
"It's okay," Melissa pushed herself into a sitting position, an awkward smile on her face. "I'm just not as strong as the rest of you."
"No, but you make up for it in other ways," Kyoka pointed out.
"Yeah!" Ochako agreed. "Your support equipment's done so much to help Izu and I already…"
Himiko walked over and offered the girl a hand. "I'm sorry I brought up a bad memory. I know Emmy's an overachiever so I–"
"No, you were right." Melissa took the other girl's hand and pulled herself upright. "I had chances, but I just… never took them." She let out a sad sigh.
"Well we won't let it happen again," Ochako said.
"Yeah!" Aika agreed. "We're your friends now!"
"A friend of Mido and Raka is a friend of mine," Kyoka added.
"Emmy also knows what it's like to be lonely – although she'll never admit it. If you ever need to talk…"
Melissa took off her glasses and wiped her eyes. "You guys are the best, thank you." Resetting her glasses, she sat back down and turned toward the screen. "But I've wasted enough time, did you two finally decide on a song?"
Eyes lighting up, Aika dashed back to the machine and punched in a song code, ignoring her best friend's protests. The other three girls shared a laugh as the energetic girl shoved a microphone into Kyoka's hands, not giving her any choice in the matter as they started singing a poppy duet song to kick off the evening.