AN: Thanks for reading and leaving a review, everyone!
Also as a heads up, I will be on vacation for part of next week, so I won't be posting a new chapter. See you all in 2 weeks!
Maximum Rhapsody - a lot of those questions will get answered as we progress through the next year leading up to Izuku and Ochako's entrance exam.
The next week passed agonizingly slowly as the twin feelings of anxiety and excitement built up inside Izuku. He had spent so long hiding his quirklessness from Ochako, afraid that he would have a repeat of Aldera, that it just became second nature to him.
But the more he thought about it, the more he accepted Ochako was different. She would never judge him - or Melissa - for being quirkless.
After the eternity that was the school week had passed, Sunday was finally upon them. Ochako arrived first. The two sat in the living room talking idly about their homework until they heard the door open and Melissa walked in. As Izuku watched her take off her shoes, he felt a pit quickly forming in his stomach as he was suddenly hit with a wave of doubt.
When Melissa joined them, Izuku saw a similar expression on her face, confirming that now that the moment has arrived, she too is suffering similar doubts.
And of course, Ochako was as observant as ever, and she felt the change in mood from the moment Melissa entered the apartment. Swallowing nervously, she looked back and forth between her two best friends, her stomach suddenly feeling as if it was under the effects of her quirk.
"Are you two okay?"
"Y-yeah," Izuku said softly. "We just-"
"Let's go to the cliff," Melissa suggested. "I think I could use the air."
"Oh, okay."
"That sounds great," Ochako said, forcing a smile to her face. She wasn't sure what was going on, but she hoped perhaps the comfort of the location would help.
Ten minutes later, the three arrived at the cliffside that they had claimed as their own. The grass was muted and the trees had already shed most of their leaves, with only a few patches of orange and red left. Normally it was beautiful in its own way, but right now it served to further enhance the somber mood that had fallen over the group.
Ochako quietly dismounted her pogo stick and handed the device to Melissa, who automatically pocketed it along with the remaining two, before the three mechanically trudged up the hill. When they got partway up Izuku and Melissa stopped, and Ochako only made it slightly further. Stopping, she turned around to face her two best friends.
Izuku and Melissa stood in silent deliberation as they stared at each other, both trying to decide on the best way to approach the topic. Finally, Izuku appeared to gather his nerves enough that he turned to face Ochako.
"Uraraka I…" Izuku swallowed the lump in his throat. "I've been hiding something from you."
"We both have," Melissa added. "Something very important."
Ochako felt her stomach twisting, a strange feeling that she didn't like overcoming her. "Are you two dating?"
"What?!" Both cried out.
"No!" Melissa said while Izuku could only utter half-formed sounds in a desperate attempt to regain his ability to speak.
Ochako felt a pang of guilt as relief washed over her. Desperate to save them all from embarrassment, she tried to bring the conversation back to the original topic. "What's going on then?"
Izuku took several deep breaths to steady himself before he locked eyes with Ochako. "Do you remember when I first told you I was a late bloomer, and that everyone at Aldera thought I was quirkless?"
"Of course," Ochako confirmed.
"Well, I… wasn't entirely being honest," Izuku forced out. "I'm… not a late bloomer. I'm really quirkless."
"We both are," Melissa added.
Ochako's eyes went wide as she looked at Melissa. "But you've got a quirk?"
Melissa gave an apologetic smile. "I do, but I wasn't born with it." She held up her hand and it began to glow with a faint golden light. "The truth is, I was quirkless up until about two years ago. I had given up on my childhood dream of becoming a hero and instead was focusing on trying to help heroes through support equipment. Then one day, I had a visitor from the future show up. She gave me a quirk and made me promise to become a hero with it."
"A visitor from the future…" Ochako parroted the words, trying to wrap her mind around these revelations.
"I know it sounds hard to believe," Melissa said. "But it's all true!"
"This is why we were supposed to keep it a secret," Izuku quickly added. "If the wrong people found out that we had transferable quirks, everyone we knew would be in danger. You'd be in danger because of us!" Izuku took a half step forward towards the brunette. "I- if anything happened to you because a villain wanted me to give up my quirk, I…"
"Why now?" Ochako asked suddenly. "What changed?"
"We-" Izuku hung his head. "Remember the fortune teller at the school festival?"
Ochako gasped. "I thought you were upset because of Aldera!"
Izuku gave her a shaky smile. "N-no. When All Might retired Melissa and I- we- we promised we wouldn't keep any secrets from each other."
Melissa began to blush as she looked apologetically at Ochako. "It was easy for the two of us, because we both already knew about One For All - that's the name of the quirk. But there's someone important we left out." She hung her head. "I'm sorry Ochako."
"I'm sorry, too," Izuku bowed his head. "I- All Might told us how important it was to keep this a secret, but you deserve to know. It's not right for us to keep hiding it."
"Wait-" Ochako's eyes went wide. "All Might's the one who is giving you a quirk?!" She squeaked out in a high-pitched voice.
"Yeah," Melissa scratched her cheek as she lifted her head to look at Ochako. "He's actually been the one training us."
Ochako's head was spinning. This was too much too fast. "I…" She felt guilty but the raging sea of emotions tearing through her was only worsened as she saw Izuku and Melissa standing there. "Can I have a few minutes?"
"Of course!" Izuku insisted. "We'll be here waiting."
"That's not what I mean," Ochako grimaced. "I… I just want to be alone right now."
"Oh," Izuku said softly.
Melissa seemed to understand. Taking a pogo stick out of her pocket, she placed the device on the ground for Ochako before she took Izuku's hand. "Come on, let's go back to your apartment."
"Okay."
Melissa gave one last glance to Ochako. "We'll be waiting for you, okay?"
"Thanks," Ochako forced a smile to her face as she watched her friends climb back down the hill and leave.
Ochako waited until both were bouncing away before she dared move. She stepped forward hesitantly and retrieved the pogo stick, cradling it in her hand as if it was something precious. Turning around she walked to the top of the hill before she collapsed on her knees. Below her, the now empty beach stood as a monument to the work she had done with them.
The beach, the hill, the device in her hands.
All of it reminded her of them.
Her two best friends, who she cared about more than anything.
She thought she knew them -
really knew them.
But she didn't.
They kept a large part of their lives hidden from her.
What's worse, they both knew the truth - she was the odd one out.
Their reasoning made sense but-
but-
Ochako felt the tears hitting her hands as she let out a ragged sob.
-it scared her.
Despite their best efforts to distract each other, Izuku and Melissa couldn't overcome the heavy atmosphere that had settled between them as they waited for Ochako to return. Inko tried her best to help, preparing some herbal tea to calm their nerves, but they couldn't help but worry about their friend.
It took almost an hour, but finally they heard the door to the apartment opening. Both Izuku and Melissa reacted instantly, staring as the door pushed open, revealing their friend. Almost mechanically, Ochako shuffled in, her movements robotic as she removed her shoes and entered the living space. The pair watched in silence as she shuffled over to the green armchair and collapsed into it.
Ochako pushed up her glasses to rub at her eyes, and both winced as they saw how red and puffy they had become from crying. It seemed so unnatural to think of the normally bright and cheery girl crying that hard, and they both hated knowing that they were responsible for that. When she was done she adjusted her glasses before she turned toward the pair.
"I know there's a lot more but even what you said - it was a lot. It's exciting and terrifying and scary and world-changing and-" Ochako waved her hands helplessly. "I'm happy you trust me, but it still hurts."
"Is there anything we can do to help?" Izuku asked.
Ochako forced a smile onto her face. "Just- give me time to figure things out?"
Melissa bobbed her head before standing up and opening up her arms, a questioning glance on her face. The grateful look on Ochako's face told them that she made the right decision as the brunette stood up and hugged Melissa back. Izuku stood up awkwardly and wrapped his arms around the girls, the three sharing a warm embrace before breaking apart.
"Can we watch a movie?" Ochako asked. "I don't think I can handle anything else right now."
"Of course!" Melissa confirmed as she reached for her bag.
After pulling out her laptop and hooking it up to Izuku's television, the three settled on the couch, with Ochako sitting on one end, and Izuku and Melissa on the other. At first, the gap between them felt painfully wide, but by the end of the movie Ochako had slid much closer to the pair, and the distance felt much smaller.
The next morning All Might didn't join them for their exercise as they continued cleaning the beach, and everyone was silently thankful - none of them were ready to tell him about Ochako just yet. Despite the revelations, the tension in the air was much thinner in the morning light, and their morning routine felt almost normal.
Izuku thought he was doing well until he got to school and realized he would be facing Ochako alone. He sat down at his desk and busied himself with his books, trying his best to calm his nerves when he felt a shadow fall on him.
"Hey Midoriya," Ochako said softly.
"M-morning Uraraka."
"I um, brought you something. Here."
Izuku still couldn't look up to face her, but he saw her place a fresh apple on his desk before he felt the shadow receding. He only caught a glimpse of Ochako's face, but it was all he needed to know her usual bright smile wasn't there.
Turning to stare at the apple, he felt his stomach twisting as he examined the fruit, knowing this was his fault.
Lunchtime finally arrived, and Izuku let out a sigh of relief. He barely remembered anything from this morning and hoped lunch would give him a chance to clear his head. As he pulled out his bento box he looked across the room only to see Ochako standing up. She shot him a questioning glance before retreating out the door.
Izuku watched her retreating form before he looked down at the apple she had left him, and his eyes went wide as he was struck with revelation.
She's waiting for me!
He knew that over the last eight months, the other girl had gotten really good at reading his emotions. And this morning, Izuku's nervousness was on full display. Of course Ochako saw that, and no matter how much she wanted to reach out to him, she was willing to give him space.
Izuku picked up the apple and examined it.
This is all because we were bad friends…
Izuku's other hand clenched into a fist.
Ochako deserves better.
Standing up, Izuku grabbed his bento box and apple and quickly dashed out of the room. Rushing to the roof, he saw Ochako already sitting in 'their' spot, slowly unpacking her food. Slowing down, he carefully walked up to her.
"Uraraka?" He felt bad as he saw Ochako flinch slightly before she looked up at him. "Do you- can I sit here?"
"Of course!" Ochako said, carefully picking up her drink and moving it. "You looked like you didn't want to spend time with me this morning."
"I'm sorry," Izuku said as he sat down next to her. "I'm… not good at this."
"I know," Ochako let out a giggle before she turned toward him, the ghost of a smile on her lips. "Eight months and you're still helpless without me and Risa."
"I'm getting better!" Izuku protested.
"Just keep telling yourself that," Ochako said as she resumed unpacking her lunch.
Izuku turned back to his bento, the apple staring him in the face. "Thank you for the fruit."
"Oh, it's nothing!" Ochako waved it off. "My mom bought a bunch at the market so I thought I'd share with you. I saved some for Risa as well."
Izuku set it down, deciding to save it for last as he opened his bento. "How are you doing?"
"I'm… better," Ochako said quietly. "It hurts less today."
"I'm sorry," Izuku repeated.
"So everything you mentioned about Aldera… no wonder you were so quick to tell me you were going to be a late bloomer."
"Yeah. I know it's not the same here but…" Izuku winced. "You were the first person who tried reaching out to me and I didn't want you to think any less of me."
"I get it. It's why I don't talk much about my life in Nabari," Ochako looked at Izuku. "I- things were harder than what I've said. My parents always tried their hardest so that I wouldn't notice but… there were still nights we went hungry," She looked back to her bento box. "This current contract was like a dream come true! For the first time I can remember we don't have to worry about money."
"Oh," Izuku said.
"And by the time this contract is up, I'll have graduated UA and be a hero! So in a way, coming here was like a second chance for me, too," Izuku couldn't help but notice Ochako's hands tensing up as she balled them into fists. "Right now I just- I just- it feels like everything- our friendship-"
Izuku reached out and gently touched Ochako's shoulder, hearing her quiet gasp. "I- we- It's not a lie. That's why we told you. Because you deserve to know." Izuku slowly retracted his hand. "I'm… really happy that we met the first day of class."
Ochako turned to Izuku, a genuine smile on her face. "And I'm so happy to have met you - and Risa." Ochako let out a giggle, and Izuku could see the tension draining from her shoulders. "Thank you, Midoriya."
"I-Izuku."
"Hmm?"
Izuku felt his face heating up as he rubbed the back of his neck. "I-Isn't it weird that we call Melissa by her first name but we still call each other by our last names? I know she's American, but I think…" Izuku took a deep breath. "I think I'd like it if you called me Izuku as well."
Ochako gasped, a look of shock on her face quickly transforming into one of warmth. "In that case, call me Ochako."
Izuku bobbed his head. "Alright, Ochako," Izuku said, testing out her name.
"Thanks, Izuku," Ochako responded, testing the name out herself, before she giggled. "I guess you aren't helpless without us, after all."
Their conversation returned to familiar territory after that as they talked about heroes and the upcoming finals, the tension between them melting away as they ate their bento and finished with the apples Ochako had brought.
As they stood up to return to class, Ochako turned toward Izuku and smiled. "Thank you, Izuku."
"You're welcome, Ochako."
By the time Sunday rolled around, things had almost returned to normal. Despite that, Izuku and Melissa still found themselves slightly anxious about their weekly meetup. This week, Melissa arrived early and busied herself with trying to get a new high score in Brilliant Silvergun while they were waiting for Ochako to arrive.
Melissa paused her game as they heard the door open. There, Ochako stood with a pensive look on her face.
"Hey, Ochako!" Melissa called out.
"Hi," Ochako stepped into the entryway as she fidgeted. "Could we go back out to the cliffs? I'd like to… pick up where we left off last week."
Izuku and Melissa looked at each other before they both bobbed their heads in agreement. "Of course!"
Pulling on their coats and shoes, they followed Ochako back outside, and the three took off toward their destination. This time, the atmosphere along the journey was much less oppressive. The three joked and enjoyed the company of each other as they made the short trip, and before they knew it, they were dismounting at the foot of the cliff.
Ochako climbed all the way to the top of the overlook and sat down, wrapping her arms around her knees in an attempt to preserve her warmth as a chilly breeze passed through the area, heralding the onset of winter. She was quietly thankful as Izuku and Melissa sat down on either side of her, shielding her from the worst effects of the winds.
"So you're both quirkless?" Ochako asked. "Born quirkless, I mean."
"Mhm."
"Yeah."
Ochako just bobbed her head. "And Izuku… you said All Might's going to be giving you a quirk?"
"Yeah," Izuku said softly. "I'm - it's actually All Might's quirk."
"What?" Ochako whipped her head around to look at Izuku. "I- is that why he's stepping back?"
"Only partially," Melissa said. "Remember when we said the man who has been training us is All Might?"
Ochako's eyes went wide. She had forgotten that part! "That's All Might?!"
"He's been pushing himself so hard for years," Melissa said sadly, a tear threatening to fall as she thought about it. "And hiding it from everyone."
"That means-" Ochako.
"-Uncle Yagi is actually Uncle Might," Melissa confirmed, a smile on her face. "I never really thought about what it really meant until I met Izuku here."
"We've been training under All Might…" Ochako said in awe. "But what will he do once he gives you his quirk?"
"He'll be able to carry on for a while," Izuku explained. "Due to the nature of One For All, he's been storing power in his body for decades. If he's careful, he can rely on that for years before he has to fully retire."
"And the reason we're cleaning the beach…"
"Is so we can build up our bodies," Melissa explained. Holding out her fist, she wrapped it in a golden glow. "Because One For All isn't ours, our bodies haven't naturally adapted to it the way your body has adapted to Zero-Gravity, for instance."
Ochako looked at the palms of her hands, the pads on her fingers a perpetual reminder of her own quirk. She thought about how her stomach felt when she overused her quirk, and the pieces quickly fell into place as she finally began to understand Melissa's injuries.
"All Might could give me his quirk at any time," Izuku continued. "But I can't use it until my body is strong enough. Since we've got another year before the entrance exams, we're waiting a few more months before he transfers it to me to begin training."
"Next year's quirk training!" Ochako exclaimed.
"Yeah."
"If you're getting All Might's copy…" Ochako turned toward Melissa. "Yours really came from the future?"
A light pink dusted Melissa's cheeks as she rubbed the back of her head. "Would you believe me if I said I got it from myself? She just showed up one day and gave me One For All. It's even stronger than the copy Izuku's getting, if you can believe it. Which is where my suit of armor comes in."
Ochako nodded numbly before turning back to Izuku. "What would have happened if you weren't getting a quirk?"
Izuku sat in silence as he looked out over the ocean. "I… don't know. UA allows quirkless students to take the entrance exam for their Hero course, but I couldn't get a hero license."
"Huh?"
"It's Japanese quirk laws," Melissa explained. "Very few countries in the world allow you to get a hero license without a quirk. I-Island is one of the few places where I could have technically qualified for one, but even then I'd mostly be relegated to support and investigation work. Japan is actually one of the strictest countries in the world when it comes to its hero laws. If an accident causes you to be effectively quirkless - such as if you lost some of your fingers, for example, you'd lose your license immediately, even if you could still act as a hero in some capacity."
Ochako looked at her hands in silent horror, before she looked at Izuku, newfound awe on her face. "Despite all that, you wanted to try anyway…"
"I wouldn't have succeeded," Izuku admitted, tears building in his eyes. "B-before All Might, I didn't have anyone who believed in me, and I wasn't training. So I was never going to pass the exam anyway."
"You can't think like that!" Ochako said. "You're one of the smartest, most driven people I know." She looked back and forth at the pair seated on either side of her. "You both are! You both deserve to be heroes! I'm sure you would have found a way!"
Melissa smiled at Ochako's kind words, while Izuku began crying. Leaning over, Ochako pulled her friend into a hug, while Melissa stood up and repositioned herself, wrapping her arms around both of the teenagers.
"T-thank you," Izuku stammered out.
Once Izuku calmed down, the three separated. Melissa walked back to her original spot and sat back down alongside Ochako. "Are we okay?"
"Mhm," Ochako smiled as she bobbed her head. "I know why you did it. I just-" she felt her permanent blush spreading across her face "-was scared. I promise I won't tell anyone about your secret!"
"Thanks," Melissa smiled warmly at the girl.
"Is there anything else you want to know?" Izuku asked, almost bouncing in excitement.
Ochako giggled as she looked at him. "Of course you want to talk all about your quirk."
"I don't really have anyone else to talk to!" Izuku protested. "Melissa's the only other person who knows!"
Ochako rolled her eyes playfully. "You probably were laughing all those times I was trying to guess your future quirk since you knew what it was all along," She teased.
"N-no," Izuku blushed. "Those were always fun to think about!"
"I'm kidding," Ochako assured him. "But I am curious…"
The three sat there for hours, huddled together to keep each other warm as Izuku and Melissa caught Ochako up on everything, filling out the details about One For All, their training, and the few details that Melissa knew about her time-traveling counterpart.
By the time Ochako was done asking questions, the sun was already setting and the air was getting colder. Despite the warmth provided by Izuku and Melissa, a chill ran down her spine, informing her that it was probably time to head back. Pushing herself to her feet, Ochako stretched to work out the stiffness before she turned toward her friends.
"Promise you don't have any more secrets?"
Melissa stood up and looked at the younger girl. "No more secrets. I'm sorry we took so long before we told you the truth."
"I'd say you should thank Yung for us, but…" Izuku rubbed the back of his head awkwardly.
Melissa laughed. "She's still excited by how many people started dating after the culture festival. Even Hado and Haya! I think she and Juno will be fine if we keep this to ourselves."
Izuku turned toward Ochako. "If you ever want to talk about growing up in Nabari, we're here for you, okay?"
"Thanks," Ochako smiled at the pair before a shiver wracked her body. "But right now I just want to get back to your place and your mom's cooking."
Without another word, the three descended back to the road. After an emotional week, they were looking forward to the promise of a warm meal and a quiet evening together.
Sorry for the short chapter this week. I've been having a rough week… don't really want to talk about it, it's personal. I'll be back to normal next week… hopefully. ~SupportGrrl47